theaceofpages's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
While I may be critical of some of the stories Yoss decided to write, I did love the earth he wrote about. I know some other readers have been critical of it, but I can see this kind of scenario being all too believable should an advanced race find us. While I am not all that familiar with it, it is apparently based on Cuba's history. I can definitely recognise elements of how first world countries colonised poorer nations in general and the current dynamics between rich and poor countries in how the xenoids treat humans - basically cheap entertainment while making sure not to lose their power/wealth privilege (please note that this is not talking about individual people but rather the system in this comparison). As to whether I'd recommend this book? I honestly have no idea... I guess if someone asked if they should read it I'd suggest they just move onto the next chapter whenever things get too disturbing and see how it goes from there. While I'm definitely glad that I read this, there are certain parts I could really have done without.
Graphic: Body horror, Classism, Colonisation, and Gore
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Sexual violence, and Misogyny
Minor: Animal death, Alcohol, Blood, Drug abuse, Sexual content, Infertility, Medical content, and Confinement
innerweststreetlibrarian's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
I found the parallels between this post-alien contact earth and Cuba quite fascinating, and that is what drove me to finish.
The things I didn’t like, were the sloppy editing (so many typos), the use of the term “social worker” to describe sex workers, and the really strong sexist tone throughout the book that really dates it.
Graphic: Sexual content, Addiction, Body horror, Colonisation, Death, Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Gore, Misogyny, Police brutality, Rape, Physical abuse, Sexism, Blood, Classism, Genocide, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Racial slurs, Suicide, Alcohol, Death of parent, Gun violence, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Medical content, Self harm, Xenophobia, Child abuse, Infertility, Medical trauma, Animal death, Cannibalism, Trafficking, Murder, Pregnancy, Suicide attempt, Torture, Racism, Toxic relationship, and War
bonfeld's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
My main disappointment was in the last chapter. I was hoping for this last chapter to tie the previous 6 together in some cohesive way. Instead it felt disconnected from the rest and also seemed kind of messed up to present
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Classism, Colonisation, Genocide, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Sexual content, Trafficking, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Drug abuse, Pedophilia, Violence, and Xenophobia
Minor: Rape
Contains vivid descriptions of body mutilation (by the character themself, but not in a self harm/mental health context) in one chapter. Contains sexualization of minors.