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lbelow's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
There are things I really enjoyed about this and things I did not. The negatives are almost entirely in the "style" column. Mixed third person and first person point of view only works if there's a good reason for it and in this, there was not. So the style was jarring.
As for the things I did enjoy: the depiction of depression and how it isn't automatically cured by advanced technology, the alienness of the villainous alien, the intricacies of culture and language that even an anthropologist can't bypass.
Overall, this novella was fascinating but a bit shallow. I understand why it's gotten so many accolades, but I don't think it hit home for me in the same way it did for many others.
As for the things I did enjoy: the depiction of depression and how it isn't automatically cured by advanced technology, the alienness of the villainous alien, the intricacies of culture and language that even an anthropologist can't bypass.
Overall, this novella was fascinating but a bit shallow. I understand why it's gotten so many accolades, but I don't think it hit home for me in the same way it did for many others.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Mental illness
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Injury/Injury detail
leguinstan's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Checked out this novella because it was nominated for the Ursula K. Le Guin Award in 2022 and it did not disappoint! The cultural and linguistic misunderstandings between the two main characters made both of their POVs really engaging to read. Everytime something of significance happened in one chapter I was excited to read the other character's perspective in the next chapter. I particularly appreciate how the two POVs are used to explore some ethical questions regarding the field of cultural anthropology. The story is funny and thoughful.
The progression of Nyr's character arc, as his priorities shift and his relationship with the inhabitants of the planet evolves, is incredibly compelling. While Lynesse is also an interesting character, it's a bit of a shame that she is not as complex as Nyr and unlike him she barely has any character development. Regardless, I do like her as a character and I genuinely think the lack of her POV would've resulted in a much weaker novella overall.
In all honesty, I was a tad sad when I finished Elder Race because I wanted to spend more time in the setting. Throughout the novella Tchaikovsky would drop these interesting world-building tidbits that made the setting feel believably complex without ruining the story's tight pacing. As much as I like to nitpick, I want to emphasize the fact that the novella's ending did not disappoint me in the least. I feel the story ended in a very satisfying manner and I do not feel there were any annoying loose ends. It felt very complete and my statements about wanting to spend more time in the world are to be taken as a compliment. I think Tchaikovsky handled Elder Race's short page count really well!
The progression of Nyr's character arc, as his priorities shift and his relationship with the inhabitants of the planet evolves, is incredibly compelling. While Lynesse is also an interesting character, it's a bit of a shame that she is not as complex as Nyr and unlike him she barely has any character development. Regardless, I do like her as a character and I genuinely think the lack of her POV would've resulted in a much weaker novella overall.
In all honesty, I was a tad sad when I finished Elder Race because I wanted to spend more time in the setting. Throughout the novella Tchaikovsky would drop these interesting world-building tidbits that made the setting feel believably complex without ruining the story's tight pacing. As much as I like to nitpick, I want to emphasize the fact that the novella's ending did not disappoint me in the least. I feel the story ended in a very satisfying manner and I do not feel there were any annoying loose ends. It felt very complete and my statements about wanting to spend more time in the world are to be taken as a compliment. I think Tchaikovsky handled Elder Race's short page count really well!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Gore, and Suicidal thoughts
deetabz's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Mental illness, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Violence, Grief, and War
seually's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I heard a lot of good stuff about Adrian Tchaikovsky's works, and so happened that this writing appeared on my TBR. I'm so overwhelmed with emotions. And my next read going to be Shadows of the Apt. I liked Adrian Tchaikovsky's writing style and vivid descriptions~~
I find the ending very sad. And the theme through the book was depressive. I was immersed in the writing and felt connected and sympathetic to the characters.
I find the ending very sad. And the theme through the book was depressive. I was immersed in the writing and felt connected and sympathetic to the characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Abandonment
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Colonisation
English is not my first language, so there were a couple of times I'd look into the dictionary.devynreadsnovels's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Body horror, Death, Violence, and Blood
laura_wska's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror
raincloud35'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror and Mental illness
Minor: War
yuyuv's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror
Minor: Gore, Mental illness, Violence, Medical content, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
bluejayreads's review against another edition
4.5
The back cover on this was mediocre, and I didn't have high expectations. But it was surprisingly good. It takes the maxim "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic" and rolls with it. But the communication struggles between the augmented anthropologist of a technologically-advanced people and the princess of a generally-primitive people were the most fascinating part. For being as short as it is, the world and characters are remarkably complex and the emotions are surprisingly deep and rich. The plot is fairly simple - go to this place, deal with the demon there - but it ended in a pleasantly unexpected way. I just can't get over how this book looked so unassuming on the outside and yet managed to be complex and interesting and have such solid characters and a well-developed world while still being so short. I almost wish it was longer just because I want more in this world with these characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Death, and Mental illness
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
johnbat's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This is a duel-perspective narrative that is BRILLIANTLY told. I loved how the author used unique language in the perspective of each character to incite differing images of the story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror and Mental illness
Minor: Gore