Reviews with content warning for Gun violence - Kolonia

I found this quite a difficult but rewarding read. I was glad that the fragmented writing style of words
broken up across lines
like this
with the enter key
got a lot less frequent over the course of the book, but there were moments when I recognised that the writing was repeating itself, yet felt relieved about this as it gave me a chance to understand what was being said. This isn't criticism, just a note that this is a book that needs your full attention.

The characters really shone in this story - Mairead and James especially captured my heart, but Lloyd

is one of the most complex and surprising villains I've read for ages, especially as I liked him until about 80% of the way through the book.

I raged at the ending both because it was quietly devastating and because I didn't see it coming, though I really, really should have done.

I'm not sure if I would have liked more or less of Masson, but something about his character and storyline didn't feel as nuanced or complex as the others. I definitely wanted more of Mairead.

Content Warnings

bella_cavicchi's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I loved this in a way I wasn't expecting, perhaps because the story itself wasn't what I expecting. Understated in its approach, it tells a powerful story of colonisation and heritage and alliance against the backdrop of the Troubles. My friends can attest that I was gasping by the last few pages, unprepared for the wreckage of a simple action.

Perhaps best summed up as a book that has kept me thinking over a week since I've finished it. A good sign!

Content Warnings

leo14's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Content Warnings

dwager's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

The Colony is set in Ireland during the Troubles, and the action of the characters is interspersed with news reports of bombings and shootings in Northern Ireland. All the characters also have their own personal troubles, which are explored and form the basis for the interpersonal conflicts (of which there are a lot) and relationships. The effects that art and linguistic research can have on the people involved, both the purveyors of those fields and the subjects, is also a main theme. This book is ambitious in its scope, and I think successful in discussing the issues.

Content Warnings

feebles640's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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jennikreads's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

4.0

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linguaphile412's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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