kittyfan9hh's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
ellianderjoy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
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? Yes
4.5
druv's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. Brainwashing and such has a very high squick factor for me, and when the book was going heavily in that direction* I had to push through it a bit, but I think it paid off a 100%.
The book had incredibly enjoyable characters, asked interesting questions about issues of society, self, and self-determination. It also presented a vast space opera galaxy reminiscent of the best parts of the Mass Effect universe.
*some people might think that the entire book is heavily about that, but let's just say I agree with the main character about the consensual nature of rightminding
The book had incredibly enjoyable characters, asked interesting questions about issues of society, self, and self-determination. It also presented a vast space opera galaxy reminiscent of the best parts of the Mass Effect universe.
*some people might think that the entire book is heavily about that, but let's just say I agree with the main character about the consensual nature of rightminding
ellasilver's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
anotherbooklady's review against another edition
4.0
“We think of forgiveness as a thing. An incident. A choice. But forgiveness is a process. A long, exhausting process. A series of choices that we have to make over, and over, and over again.”
The hubby and I read this book together for a sci-fi book club that we joined and LOVED this story.
We followed along with the audiobook, and the reader (actress Nneka Okoye) was so charismatic and charming that she truly embodied protagonist Haimey Dz.
It’s been only two years since I decided to embrace the sci-if genre. I have always felt that I wasn’t smart enough to understand the story, that the concepts would be beyond my level of understanding. We were told that this particular book was a great starter book for someone getting into sci-fi AND curious about space operas.
Author Elizabeth Bear creates a galaxy that is relatable, characters that you care for (even the ship AI), and an adventure that keeps you questioning your own ideas of autonomy and self-preservation. I loved the language that was used, showing a sort of evolution in our vernacular; for example, the characters would use “todia” in place of “today”, or “ans” in place of “years.”
In her author’s note, Bear talks about how she set out to write one story, but over the course of an election and the climate of the United States, she ended up writing a very different story. I believe this story is better for the experiences that shaped this book.
One part of the book spoke volumes to me:
“It’s kind of horrifying to think of an era when people were so constrained to and by gender, in which the externals you were born with were something you would be stuck with your whole life, could never alter, and it would determine your entire social role and your potential for emotional fulfillment and intellectual achievement.”
The hubby and I read this book together for a sci-fi book club that we joined and LOVED this story.
We followed along with the audiobook, and the reader (actress Nneka Okoye) was so charismatic and charming that she truly embodied protagonist Haimey Dz.
It’s been only two years since I decided to embrace the sci-if genre. I have always felt that I wasn’t smart enough to understand the story, that the concepts would be beyond my level of understanding. We were told that this particular book was a great starter book for someone getting into sci-fi AND curious about space operas.
Author Elizabeth Bear creates a galaxy that is relatable, characters that you care for (even the ship AI), and an adventure that keeps you questioning your own ideas of autonomy and self-preservation. I loved the language that was used, showing a sort of evolution in our vernacular; for example, the characters would use “todia” in place of “today”, or “ans” in place of “years.”
In her author’s note, Bear talks about how she set out to write one story, but over the course of an election and the climate of the United States, she ended up writing a very different story. I believe this story is better for the experiences that shaped this book.
One part of the book spoke volumes to me:
“It’s kind of horrifying to think of an era when people were so constrained to and by gender, in which the externals you were born with were something you would be stuck with your whole life, could never alter, and it would determine your entire social role and your potential for emotional fulfillment and intellectual achievement.”
jkinkadeblack's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
boldlyno's review against another edition
I couldn't get into some of the language, especially afthands. Maybe I'll try again!
barondp's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
shoshin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I enjoyed the book a great deal, liked its exploration of the nature of the self, and found some of what it did very intriguing (space whales that communicate through their barnacles!) but I thought it dragged in places and wanted parts of its universe to be better developed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Kidnapping, Self harm, Medical trauma, Abandonment, Blood, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Infidelity
cowardlycod's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
Takes a while to get it's footing, and I mean a while, but it's worth it.