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hanz's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Racism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Police brutality
Minor: Deportation
dreklogar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Otherwise, the book was honestly horrifying at times. Things that happen to the characters just feel very real in a way that has little to do with the setting, and the fact that it's often magic that saves them creates an uncomfortable feeling of "What if this happens to me in the real world?". Overall, Jemisin's work usually leaves me pumped up to improve a flawed, but salvageable world, but this one mostly made me feel sad and despondent.
Graphic: Racism and Deportation
quarkie's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What I liked: Each character has such a strong point of view, and is so multi-dimensional. They feel so effortlessly real. Jemisin puts them in so many (terrible, awful, amazing, beautiful, human) true-to-life situations, and they respond in a way that feels both real and true to their characters. I feel like I know each character - not that I know a specific individual that is just like them, but they serve as true avatars of not only their boroughs but for their populations. So many of the thought processes and comments that characters make are so relatable, and I see them played out daily. Nothing in the book "just happens" - everything has a cause as well as an effect. The storylines are tight and pacing is great. And I just can't get over how beautifully written it was.
What I didn't like: I think my only complaint was that while some of the pop and political cultural references feel fresh now (in 2024), but I'm not sure how well some of them will age.
Concepts that will stick with me: In a way, this book personifies racism, xenophobia, and gentrification by turning it into a singular entity that can be taken on and beaten. This is a comforting thought. It explores the concept of "personality gentrification", or as I came to think of it, gentrification of the soul. It also deals with what happens what the gentrifier meets with gentrification. It also shows how someone can be seen as "nice" by one set of people (and actually be genuinely nice to them), but also participate in oppressive structures that hurt everyone, including the people they are nice to. It's a haunting exploration of the fragility of xenophobes (especially the well-meaning ones), and the mental and emotional work people have to put in to deal with that.
Graphic: Cursing and Deportation
Moderate: Gun violence, Homophobia, Racism, Transphobia, Violence, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Colonisation, and Classism
Minor: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Mass/school shootings, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail
brynalexa's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Genocide and Deportation
Minor: Cursing, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racism, Transphobia, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Stalking, Abandonment, and War
gardens_and_dragons's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I get that a lot may have changed for the original plan for this sequel because of the pandemic and politics IRL, but I’m glad we got the book at all. I also liked the interview in my version of the book with the author about how COVID influenced the writing of the books, as well as it’s contents.
Graphic: Racism and Xenophobia
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Deportation
bookiecharm's review
5.0
Graphic: Racism, Transphobia, Violence, Police brutality, Classism, and Deportation
trayslays's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Racism and Xenophobia
Moderate: Body horror and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Transphobia and Deportation
stormeno's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Moderate: Cursing, Racial slurs, Violence, Xenophobia, Mass/school shootings, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, and Deportation
rainbowyeticorn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Mass/school shootings, Stalking, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and War
Minor: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Police brutality, Islamophobia, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Deportation
I really loved this series so much. The narrator does such a fabulous job bringing all the characters to life. I highly recommend reading the audiobook version over the print version or maybe reading and listening to both at the same time because in my opinion this is the best way to experience this fabulous book!therainbowshelf's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racism, Transphobia, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Classism, and Deportation