I received an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. A poignant read about birth and found families. The title refers to a literal death that kicks off the story and the figurative death of an identity. The writing style is descriptive and alluring. It's interesting how dramatically it varies between each of Emezi's novels. If I didn't know that they had written this, Freshwater, and Pet, I don't know if I would've guessed. I loved the camaraderie among the children of the Nigerwives and the tenderness they had for Nnemdi. Of all the characters, I most related to Juju wrestling with her internalized biphobia. I think the rawest moment was Vivek's parents mourning his death but also realizing that they wouldn't have accepted the whole truth if they'd lived. I'm still mulling on how Emezi entwines sensuality/ sexuality and family. Aside from me not comprehending Emezi's galaxy brain, I'm not Nigerian, and I know I missed a lot of cultural references.