Scan barcode
gallivantingsushi's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I got this through Amazon first reads and I appreciate they showcase a diverse group of authors, and the premise of a society by and for people of color intrigued me immensely. However, I was immediately shocked to find that society was based on not just racist and oppressive, but actively genocidal premises, and leaves us rooting for the mainly-white rebellion? It seems a strange choice for an author of color to make.
Also, given how the novel clearly intends to explore race politics, I'm shocked that it doesn't even mention what happened to Asian, Latinx, and especially Native people during the building of the Union.
Aside from those two big questions I also found the plot jumpy and somewhat illogical, and the characters one dimensional. I think Saige and Avi were intended as foils (strength/weakness, traumatized/pampered) but to me they read more like two sides of a complete person. Which made it extra weird that in this "story of friendship" the protagonists don't meet for half the book, and then don't really like each other.
Overall interesting and good enough to finish, but I was hoping for more.
Also, given how the novel clearly intends to explore race politics, I'm shocked that it doesn't even mention what happened to Asian, Latinx, and especially Native people during the building of the Union.
Aside from those two big questions I also found the plot jumpy and somewhat illogical, and the characters one dimensional. I think Saige and Avi were intended as foils (strength/weakness, traumatized/pampered) but to me they read more like two sides of a complete person. Which made it extra weird that in this "story of friendship" the protagonists don't meet for half the book, and then don't really like each other.
Overall interesting and good enough to finish, but I was hoping for more.
Graphic: Genocide, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Police brutality, Trafficking, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Drug use, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
arthur_ant18's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
3.75
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Police brutality, War, and Classism
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Deportation
Minor: Vomit, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
More...