jspieke's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
ksprokes's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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
4.25
crscarberry84's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-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? No
5.0
sarvs18's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
wellreadwyvern's review
5.0
Lark Ascending, by Silas House, is an eco-apocalyptic cautionary tale in which the reader vividly experiences the loss, fear, and motivation of a refugee.
Lark grows up in a time of upheaval. Fires ravage the United States and fundamentalists (“Fundies”) have taken control of the country. At age 20, he is forced to flee across the ocean to Ireland, the last country known to accept refugees.
House succeeds in crafting a chilling tale because the story feels terribly plausible. Both in the United States and across the globe, we are witnessing the destruction of greater and more devastating wildfires. We are warned that rising sea levels will force a mass migration inland. At the same time, far-right political groups are gaining ground in the U.S. and Europe. As I write this, the Sweden Democrats, a party with Nazi origins, has gained a significant foothold in Sweden’s government, and Italy is about to elect their most right-wing leader since Mussolini.
Despite the horrors Lark faces on his journey, he retains a determination to keep going. And this drive to keep going and stay alive provides the heart of the novel. The author repeatedly returns to themes of hope, trust, companionship, and beauty in even the worst situations.
Lark Ascending is not a subtle book. It is both disturbing and beautiful. Silas House has written a tightly crafted vision of the worst our world could become. This is the kind of book that makes you feel the big emotions, a book that sticks in your head long after the final page. It’s not a book I enjoyed, but it is a book that I loved.
Thank you to Algonquin Books and NetGalley for early access to this title.
Lark grows up in a time of upheaval. Fires ravage the United States and fundamentalists (“Fundies”) have taken control of the country. At age 20, he is forced to flee across the ocean to Ireland, the last country known to accept refugees.
House succeeds in crafting a chilling tale because the story feels terribly plausible. Both in the United States and across the globe, we are witnessing the destruction of greater and more devastating wildfires. We are warned that rising sea levels will force a mass migration inland. At the same time, far-right political groups are gaining ground in the U.S. and Europe. As I write this, the Sweden Democrats, a party with Nazi origins, has gained a significant foothold in Sweden’s government, and Italy is about to elect their most right-wing leader since Mussolini.
Despite the horrors Lark faces on his journey, he retains a determination to keep going. And this drive to keep going and stay alive provides the heart of the novel. The author repeatedly returns to themes of hope, trust, companionship, and beauty in even the worst situations.
Lark Ascending is not a subtle book. It is both disturbing and beautiful. Silas House has written a tightly crafted vision of the worst our world could become. This is the kind of book that makes you feel the big emotions, a book that sticks in your head long after the final page. It’s not a book I enjoyed, but it is a book that I loved.
Thank you to Algonquin Books and NetGalley for early access to this title.
ryyyyyyyye's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
jess_segraves's review against another edition
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
lolatarantula's review
3.0
3.5
It's quite good. Simple, but not cloying in its optimism nor depressing in its pessimism. I really liked the writing style. The prose was refined and intentional, but still poetic. Detailed in that only the necessary things were mentioned, and the descriptions shined more because of it.
Emotionally, it fell a bit flat for me. I guess some people would find it satisfying in an understated way, but I just didn't really feel any of the grief or fear of the main characters. I was interested in what was happening but I wasn't gripped by anything. As far as dystopian-speculative fiction-post apocalyptic stories go the story wasn't especially groundbreaking.
Pretty run-of-the-mill idea with an excellent execution.
It's quite good. Simple, but not cloying in its optimism nor depressing in its pessimism. I really liked the writing style. The prose was refined and intentional, but still poetic. Detailed in that only the necessary things were mentioned, and the descriptions shined more because of it.
Emotionally, it fell a bit flat for me. I guess some people would find it satisfying in an understated way, but I just didn't really feel any of the grief or fear of the main characters. I was interested in what was happening but I wasn't gripped by anything. As far as dystopian-speculative fiction-post apocalyptic stories go the story wasn't especially groundbreaking.
Pretty run-of-the-mill idea with an excellent execution.
catbooking's review
3.0
A pleasant read, but not a perfect one.
This was more of a meditation on post-apoc survival than an engaging story.
There are events, some very emotional and scary, but they don’t necessarily connect to tell a story with a point. There are traumatized characters but I would not say they grow and/or develop as the book progresses. There are villains, but I struggle to say they are more than the “they hate us, cuz they ain’t us” variety.
The conclusion is rushed and weak. I think I know what the author was going for but I do not think it worked due to lack of character growth and some glaring plot holes
So a decent read, especially considering my current track record, but nothing incredible.
This was more of a meditation on post-apoc survival than an engaging story.
There are events, some very emotional and scary, but they don’t necessarily connect to tell a story with a point. There are traumatized characters but I would not say they grow and/or develop as the book progresses. There are villains, but I struggle to say they are more than the “they hate us, cuz they ain’t us” variety.
The conclusion is rushed and weak. I think I know what the author was going for but I do not think it worked due to lack of character growth and some glaring plot holes
So a decent read, especially considering my current track record, but nothing incredible.
strawbrifieldsforever's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0