superdilettante's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this story just as much as the Fifth Sacred Thing, but I was a little wary as I was reading. I've heard a little bit about Starhawk possibly having traditional/Dianic/non-intersectional views, so every time one of the "uneducated" people uses a pejorative term for a woman or a non binary person and is not challenged, I cringed. I recognize why these characters might have been taught those views, but it still bothered me that in a story filled with inclusivity of other kinds, there was still this unchallenged hurtful language. ETA: maybe the purpose of it was to illustrate just what a hurdle the Insurrection from the North faced. Not merely enough to show the wage slaves freedom; there's also a long road ahead in improving their values and vision.
gooutside's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I've been a fan of the 5th sacred thing for years and I'm so happy that I finally got to read this! I was lost in the book much of the time and I loved seeing the characters grow and heal.
Content Warnings
Minor: Pedophilia
katrinadreamer's review against another edition
3.0
It took me a while to get through this because the beginning dragged a lot. Overall, I enjoyed the story and appreciated reconnecting with the characters. But I think Starhawk would have benefitted from a harsh editor who would have kept the plot moving.
eliclarevt's review against another edition
3.0
Lovely and important except the absence of a grappling with racism is glaring.
mkat303's review
4.0
City of Refuge is the sequel to The Fifth Sacred Thing, Starhawk's utopian/dystopian novel set in a future California. I'd say it makes the most sense to read these books in the order they were written, starting with The Fifth Sacred Thing, then the prequel, Walking to Mercury, and then ending with City of Refuge. Out of the three, I liked The Fifth Sacred Thing the best, but am very glad there was a sequel. (Alas, no mainstream publisher wanted to publish it, so it was funded via Kickstarter.)
While The Fifth Sacred Thing focused a lot on the power of non-violence and non-violent direct action, in City of Refuge Starhawk explores more of a diversity of tactics - non-violence and invitations to "take a seat at our table" with the creation of an alternate "City of Refuge" within the heart of the dystopian LA along with the parallel use of guns and a ragtag army and navy in order to help liberate the debt slaves of the Southlands. Also, the theme of how to make a revolution among people who've been damaged by capitalism, patriarchy, etc. was explored.
Lots of food for thought here.
Occasionally I felt like the main characters were a bit too heroic, and I wish Bird could've forgiven himself (not that I think he needed forgiveness) sooner, but those are minor quibbles.
While The Fifth Sacred Thing focused a lot on the power of non-violence and non-violent direct action, in City of Refuge Starhawk explores more of a diversity of tactics - non-violence and invitations to "take a seat at our table" with the creation of an alternate "City of Refuge" within the heart of the dystopian LA along with the parallel use of guns and a ragtag army and navy in order to help liberate the debt slaves of the Southlands. Also, the theme of how to make a revolution among people who've been damaged by capitalism, patriarchy, etc. was explored.
Lots of food for thought here.
Occasionally I felt like the main characters were a bit too heroic, and I wish Bird could've forgiven himself (not that I think he needed forgiveness) sooner, but those are minor quibbles.
jenniferbbookdragon's review
5.0
The much awaited sequel to The Fifth Sacred Thing is here. I loved it and will say it was worth the 20 year wait! Great characters, and an exciting story, but most of all an amazing vision of a future that is not utopian or dystopian-only a real possibility.
Re-read 2020: Even more relevant during a time of peaceful protests and riots due to another police killing of a black man. Change is hard and messy, but with a vision for a better society it is possible.
Re-read 2020: Even more relevant during a time of peaceful protests and riots due to another police killing of a black man. Change is hard and messy, but with a vision for a better society it is possible.
zamicha's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
whatsbeckyreading's review against another edition
4.0
By far the strongest book in the series. Not a comfortable read, especially with what is going on politically as of late, but a good one.
sarahwhinds's review against another edition
4.0
I recently re-read The Fifth Sacred Thing, which was as good as ever. After the election, I needed to spend time in a utopia for a while! This is the sequel, which was also great. If you liked the first one, you'll like this one.
superdilettante's review
5.0
I loved this story just as much as the Fifth Sacred Thing, but I was a little wary as I was reading. I've heard a little bit about Starhawk possibly having traditional/Dianic/non-intersectional views, so every time one of the "uneducated" people uses a pejorative term for a woman or a non binary person and is not challenged, I cringed. I recognize why these characters might have been taught those views, but it still bothered me that in a story filled with inclusivity of other kinds, there was still this unchallenged hurtful language. ETA: maybe the purpose of it was to illustrate just what a hurdle the Insurrection from the North faced. Not merely enough to show the wage slaves freedom; there's also a long road ahead in improving their values and vision.