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siobhanward's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
NYT Notable Books 2023: 21/100
This book was at that awkward length between novella and novel. I find that books that hover around this length can feel really unbalanced, and unfortunately this was the case for this book. In the first part, it felt like there was no plot, just a long explanation of who was who and how we got to this point. Then, everything happened in the last 50 pages which meant that that first half dragged and the second half happened so quickly that it was hard to keep track of what was happening. The idea was cool but beyond the idea it felt like there wasn't much to the book.
This book was at that awkward length between novella and novel. I find that books that hover around this length can feel really unbalanced, and unfortunately this was the case for this book. In the first part, it felt like there was no plot, just a long explanation of who was who and how we got to this point. Then, everything happened in the last 50 pages which meant that that first half dragged and the second half happened so quickly that it was hard to keep track of what was happening. The idea was cool but beyond the idea it felt like there wasn't much to the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Incest, and Racism
Moderate: Death and Violence
Minor: Pregnancy
rachelblair's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Incest, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, and Pregnancy
august_ambrosia's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
good lord. what a book. absolute poetry from start to end it was... musical. absolutely loved the lists of adjectives and focus on art and ambiguity present because it made the moments where you were told things so much more poignant. you loved the islanders and hated the settlers and the vignettes from the future were so touching and heartbreaking and i will definitely be reading again and holding it dear to my heart. every islander had their own humanity and all the antagonistic characters did too - and the background characters too and this world was just absolutely TEEMING with life. loved every moment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Incest, Racism, Forced institutionalization, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Child death and Pregnancy
Minor: Animal death
faitheve's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
The best book I’ve read this year, amazingly well written and such a good thought piece which can link easily to todays communities and their divides
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Murder, and Colonisation
katieryn's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Child death, Incest, Racism, Rape, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
CWs may not feel triggering but they are presentstaghunters's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Wonderfully written, though it requires focus to really get all the nitty-gritty details. Harding carves a sad story out with his prose, but doesn't shy away from putting down how these things possibly could have happened in real-life counterparts. There are characters that wrestle with their internalized prejudice and discriminatory attitudes, and others that don't bat an eye at self-reflection in the face of obvious inhumane acts.
The Honeys, Larks, and other residence of the island are a wild but loving bunch. A close-knit group that wants the best for each other through their simple ways. The book doesn't say this way of life is inherently better, but the people are happy enough despite the hardship they face in their daily life in the environment they have chosen as their home.
Ethan Honey's section clings as a tragedy that happens all too often in other historical novels or romances, yet here meets the end it has because of the exact time and place it is set in. The glimpses at a future exhibition give hope. But that is all that Apple Island leaves behind, save for small shards hidden deep in the dirt.
The Honeys, Larks, and other residence of the island are a wild but loving bunch. A close-knit group that wants the best for each other through their simple ways. The book doesn't say this way of life is inherently better, but the people are happy enough despite the hardship they face in their daily life in the environment they have chosen as their home.
Ethan Honey's section clings as a tragedy that happens all too often in other historical novels or romances, yet here meets the end it has because of the exact time and place it is set in. The glimpses at a future exhibition give hope. But that is all that Apple Island leaves behind, save for small shards hidden deep in the dirt.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Ableism
mahtzahgay's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The prose was alright – the subject matter absolutely miserable. While I appreciate the care and love given to Apple Island's inhabitants, there's something so deeply depressing about reading a story where eugenics-loving colonisers do what eugenics-loving colonisers do.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Child death, Death, and Death of parent
menastarr's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Incest, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death and Racism
deanrossss's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Racial slurs, Racism, and Xenophobia
tatitatetats's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
Longwinded with pauses of poetry. The author's abhorrent disregard for the history of his inspiration leaves the book feeling shallow and hollow, but worst of all deeply disrespectful to the island, it's people and their descendants.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Racism, and Police brutality
Minor: Incest, Rape, Suicide attempt, and Murder