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drjoannehill's review
challenging
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
2 to 3 points... Interesting idea, could be better executed.
It's maybe some time past the year 3000? Not stated. In a vaguely described part of what was once the USA (that at least is stated), the governing family and surrounding ruling families (the Elites) are all Black. Upper Residents are all Black. "Europes" or Lower Residents are the workers or are outcasts, in an authoritarian system that denies freedom, education, sufficient food, etc etc. to them. Harsh punishment is meted out. It's understood that the country (called the Union of Civilization) is run like this as pay back for the centuries of enslavement of Black people by White. The USA was overthrown 1000 years previously. That's a long grudge and a massive effort to maintain an unequal authoritarian rule. I suppose to ponder this, just imagine the period of enslavement and how enslaved people were treated, how much effort was put into maintaining the system. But in the future with so many technological, educational, and cultural developments, you just expect better I think?
There are many many plot holes in this. A few:
Anyone who is not Black or White in this nation? Not a mention. No idea.
Also no idea if the Union is the whole of the USA. If so, some of the characters walk/run over vast areas rather quickly. There are times when there's a hovercraft journey described as taking a while, but someone walking gets there quite quickly and moves over big areas of the place with ease. 🤷🏻♀️
There's a lot crammed in here, when it would be better to take time and explore in more depth a few of the plot threads. Viruses have been developed by the government to kill Whites but no one else; right so kill all the White workers and then replace them with droids; a rebel plot to fight back; an Elite gets involved in the rebellion; one of the rebels/workers is telekinetic ....and more and more. Cool it!
It's maybe some time past the year 3000? Not stated. In a vaguely described part of what was once the USA (that at least is stated), the governing family and surrounding ruling families (the Elites) are all Black. Upper Residents are all Black. "Europes" or Lower Residents are the workers or are outcasts, in an authoritarian system that denies freedom, education, sufficient food, etc etc. to them. Harsh punishment is meted out. It's understood that the country (called the Union of Civilization) is run like this as pay back for the centuries of enslavement of Black people by White. The USA was overthrown 1000 years previously. That's a long grudge and a massive effort to maintain an unequal authoritarian rule. I suppose to ponder this, just imagine the period of enslavement and how enslaved people were treated, how much effort was put into maintaining the system. But in the future with so many technological, educational, and cultural developments, you just expect better I think?
There are many many plot holes in this. A few:
Anyone who is not Black or White in this nation? Not a mention. No idea.
Also no idea if the Union is the whole of the USA. If so, some of the characters walk/run over vast areas rather quickly. There are times when there's a hovercraft journey described as taking a while, but someone walking gets there quite quickly and moves over big areas of the place with ease. 🤷🏻♀️
There's a lot crammed in here, when it would be better to take time and explore in more depth a few of the plot threads. Viruses have been developed by the government to kill Whites but no one else; right so kill all the White workers and then replace them with droids; a rebel plot to fight back; an Elite gets involved in the rebellion; one of the rebels/workers is telekinetic ....and more and more. Cool it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Police brutality, Medical content, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Death of parent, and Classism
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.
Content Warnings
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
bookobsessedfamily's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
fast-paced
5.0
Triggers: war, death, gore, torture
Avi is and Elite who is next in line to rule the southern district.
Saige is a Lower Resident, but is worse than that, she’s an impure, a person of mixed race. It’s illegal, so who is her dad?
The Union is in a time when people of color have all the power. White individuals are workers and, in Avi’s opinion, are treated poorly. But Avi’s family doesn’t feel the same way. They believe the Lower Residents need to pay for how their ancestors were treated.
Will Avi be able to change how things are done? Will Saige be able to escape alive?
I truly enjoyed reading this book. It’s a duel POV so you can see things through Saige’s eyes and Avi’s. There was a lot of action and suspense. The ending was something I didn’t see coming.
I can’t wait for the next book.
Avi is and Elite who is next in line to rule the southern district.
Saige is a Lower Resident, but is worse than that, she’s an impure, a person of mixed race. It’s illegal, so who is her dad?
The Union is in a time when people of color have all the power. White individuals are workers and, in Avi’s opinion, are treated poorly. But Avi’s family doesn’t feel the same way. They believe the Lower Residents need to pay for how their ancestors were treated.
Will Avi be able to change how things are done? Will Saige be able to escape alive?
I truly enjoyed reading this book. It’s a duel POV so you can see things through Saige’s eyes and Avi’s. There was a lot of action and suspense. The ending was something I didn’t see coming.
I can’t wait for the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Torture, Death of parent, and War
arthur_ant18's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
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
zarlynsnook's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
4.0
*ARC review*
First time reading a dystopian novel that puts the black community in the spotlight and it did not disappoint. The world building is good, every plot points presented was explored enough but left some room to tackle for the sequels. I also love the fact that the plot did not focus alot on romance. However,the characterization did not offer something new for me.
*Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this book.*
First time reading a dystopian novel that puts the black community in the spotlight and it did not disappoint. The world building is good, every plot points presented was explored enough but left some room to tackle for the sequels. I also love the fact that the plot did not focus alot on romance. However,the characterization did not offer something new for me.
*Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this book.*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Racism, Slavery, Blood, Death of parent, War, and Classism
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