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estewanii's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
It's not a kind book; it's weary, cynical, and violent. But all the same it cherishes and preaches the good of people and their place in the world. A wonderful read.
Graphic: Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Slavery, Torture, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Murder, Violence, and War
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Deadnaming and Panic attacks/disorders
aardwyrm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
There's a tradition of apocalyptic novels in particular that are all about ideas. This is not something to strive for, but fine. (There is also a tradition of litfic writers deciding to tackle spec fic stories and doing it with amateurish foolishness.) But as a novel of ideas, it fails, too. The good side asks nothing of people but that they live comfortable middle class lives with some roommates and a largely vegetarian diet. The bad side cackles and makes speeches about how they want to destroy all of nature because their dad was a bad parent. I am barely paraphrasing. If you want a war of philosophies, a villain who seems to know he is a satire of alt right wannabe demagogues isn't exactly a bold statement. Nothing bold or interesting ever happens with the questions of gender, society, religion, and roles within it; it's all just sorta thrown at the wall.
There's a good book in here, I think. A complete rewrite to focus on the world (multiple POVs would be good here) and a ruthless editor to take out all the badly written extended action scenes that go nowhere and the pointless tense changes would do it.
Graphic: Alcohol, Death of parent, Animal death, Blood, Classism, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Gaslighting, Child death, Toxic friendship, and War
kylieqrada's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Torture, War, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Gun violence
laurareads87's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Confinement, Death, and Gore
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Blood, and Torture
Minor: Sexism and Misogyny