Hopkinson's writing style is lyrical, expressive, and impeccably detailed. Throughout the novel, I felt as though I was living the characters' experiences. I was impressed at the seamless and non-token nature of the LGBTQ+ inclusion within the book. The use of a goddess to weave together the many timelines and threads was confusing at times, but created an inescapable immersive nature in the book - I had to keep reading in order to untangle the threads. Highly recommended for fans of mythical and/or historical fiction and for people who enjoy character-driven stories.

This is my first experience with the author Nalo Hopkinson's stories. Mer, Jeanne, Thais, Ezili - it's like all these characters are living in me now, and I am so glad I found them.

Hopkinson's skill at weaving stories of African women's lives and loves from different timelines is excellent. Even pushing the me at times past comfort zones, her depiction of the earthiness of human, woman being goes deep and real. Childbirth and the risk to mother and child is there. A less genteel venture into body/blood - the scene where Jeanne and her lover Lise scry to see Lise's future husband comes to mind.

Her weaving the Gods and powers into the story is deft as all hell, and brings a sense of how real women, real people, have the experience of the Divine.

I've got a new favorite author, and I'm looking forward to reading more of her work. Even better - there's a film coming out - Brown Girl in the Ring - that I can't wait to see.