Reviews tagging 'Dysphoria'

Seven Mercies by Elizabeth May, L.R. Lam

2 reviews

starccato's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-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? Yes

4.5

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allisonwonderlandreads's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring tense medium-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? It's complicated

4.0

The first chapter of this duology finale has a heist, an explosion, and banter. Aka all the things I loved in the first book condensed into a beautiful moment. It was the first of many signs that this series was going to end on the same fierce, fun terms that it began with. So what makes this series so easy to recommend? It's about consent and freedom from tyranny as human rights. It's about a fabulous found family with a sense of home that curls off the page like smoke from a welcoming hearth fire. It's about battles in space, impossible missions, and a resistance that would give its last breath to defeat an all-consuming, ever-grasping empire. It's queer as hell (among the seven leads: a trans woman, non-binary person, sapphic relationship, ace woman, and a bi man are specifically out on the page). Basically, it's about humanity.

The message is powerful and thoughtful, but it's the characters that made me feel some type of way. I genuinely couldn't choose a most or least favorite of the seven because all of their POVs have that spark of life that gets under your skin. They all suffered, they all carry guilt and hope, and they all fight tooth and nail to take down an empire and to protect each other. I love how there's some light romance, but it's really the found family bonds that tie the story together. You could point to any combination of the team and identify special moments they've had, major turning points in their relationship, or a meaningful connection they share. I (obviously) love a romance as much as the next person if not more, but it felt like a warm hug to read a book that prioritizes the other ways we attach ourselves to one another, with no less value or dedication.

Omg how I cried at a few points. I knew on some level that it would be a rough journey given the scale of the task before our intrepid team. But that didn't make it less painful at times or nerve-wracking. There's undercover work on an alien planet, a mass prison break, and one final, explosive mission against an emperor and an autonomous AI. So I would describe my stress level as 10/10 because I love them all so much and was freaked out about the odds.

Science fiction fans should definitely get their hands on this now complete series. Even for those who are intimidated by the genre, I recommend this as an approachable, character-driven series with all the action and wit one could wish for. Thanks to DAW for my copy to read and review.
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