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rnbhargava's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Death, Genocide, Violence, Gaslighting, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Deadnaming, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Blood, Stalking, Car accident, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Classism
There are scenes where cities are put at risk en masse. There’s examples of characters that are clearly analogous to far right, kind of racist, supposedly religion based politicians. The idea of the soul of a city, the distinct things that give them personality is a big theme in this. The avatars are emblematic in the best ways possible. I overall love this duology. Frankly, I kind of hope Jemisin still makes it into a trilogy one day.quarkie's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
What I liked: Each character has such a strong point of view, and is so multi-dimensional. They feel so effortlessly real. Jemisin puts them in so many (terrible, awful, amazing, beautiful, human) true-to-life situations, and they respond in a way that feels both real and true to their characters. I feel like I know each character - not that I know a specific individual that is just like them, but they serve as true avatars of not only their boroughs but for their populations. So many of the thought processes and comments that characters make are so relatable, and I see them played out daily. Nothing in the book "just happens" - everything has a cause as well as an effect. The storylines are tight and pacing is great. And I just can't get over how beautifully written it was.
What I didn't like: I think my only complaint was that while some of the pop and political cultural references feel fresh now (in 2024), but I'm not sure how well some of them will age.
Concepts that will stick with me: In a way, this book personifies racism, xenophobia, and gentrification by turning it into a singular entity that can be taken on and beaten. This is a comforting thought. It explores the concept of "personality gentrification", or as I came to think of it, gentrification of the soul. It also deals with what happens what the gentrifier meets with gentrification. It also shows how someone can be seen as "nice" by one set of people (and actually be genuinely nice to them), but also participate in oppressive structures that hurt everyone, including the people they are nice to. It's a haunting exploration of the fragility of xenophobes (especially the well-meaning ones), and the mental and emotional work people have to put in to deal with that.
Graphic: Cursing and Deportation
Moderate: Gun violence, Homophobia, Racism, Transphobia, Violence, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Colonisation, and Classism
Minor: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Mass/school shootings, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail
zombiezami's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Racism, Violence, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Homophobia, Mental illness, Transphobia, and Gaslighting
Minor: Sexual content, Slavery, Car accident, Abandonment, and Colonisation
grets_reads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia, and Antisemitism
Moderate: Cursing, Gun violence, Police brutality, Mass/school shootings, Colonisation, and Classism
Minor: Mental illness, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, and Deportation