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Title: My Soul to Keep (African Immortals Book 1)
Author: Tananarive Due
Narrator: Peter Francis James
Published: Recorded Books, 1997
Rating: 3 of 5
Page Count: 345
Total Page Count: 205,965
Text Number: 628
Read Because: personal enjoyment, audiobook borrowed from the Multnomah County Library
Review: Jessica's marriage is endangered by the revelation that her perfect husband is immortal. The supernatural elements here are surprisingly low-concept; the real focus is the psychological effects of immortality, a study which is convincing but not particularly exciting. There's more drama in the suspense, which is set against domestic details that are alternately idyllic and ominous—a balance that can tip towards the prosaic but has a strong finish. I think I would've had better luck with this book had I enjoyed either protagonist (or tolerated their child)—the psychological focus depends on personal engagement to be successful. But while I didn't love it, I did like it. It's a solid effort, thoughtfully conceived, grounded by researched details, and successfully paced. I give it a mild recommendation. (I don't feel compelled to pick up the sequels, but my impression from the ending is that they have stronger speculative elements—so we'll see.)
( Re: reading statistics and authors of color. )
Author: Tananarive Due
Narrator: Peter Francis James
Published: Recorded Books, 1997
Rating: 3 of 5
Page Count: 345
Total Page Count: 205,965
Text Number: 628
Read Because: personal enjoyment, audiobook borrowed from the Multnomah County Library
Review: Jessica's marriage is endangered by the revelation that her perfect husband is immortal. The supernatural elements here are surprisingly low-concept; the real focus is the psychological effects of immortality, a study which is convincing but not particularly exciting. There's more drama in the suspense, which is set against domestic details that are alternately idyllic and ominous—a balance that can tip towards the prosaic but has a strong finish. I think I would've had better luck with this book had I enjoyed either protagonist (or tolerated their child)—the psychological focus depends on personal engagement to be successful. But while I didn't love it, I did like it. It's a solid effort, thoughtfully conceived, grounded by researched details, and successfully paced. I give it a mild recommendation. (I don't feel compelled to pick up the sequels, but my impression from the ending is that they have stronger speculative elements—so we'll see.)
( Re: reading statistics and authors of color. )
