rlinnyc'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? It's complicated
3.25
Minor: Gaslighting, Violence, Body horror, Alcohol, Blood, Classism, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Medical content, and War
jjjreads's review against another edition
- 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? No
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Colonisation, Medical trauma, Cultural appropriation, Classism, Police brutality, Confinement, Injury/injury detail, Death, Grief, Medical content, War, Xenophobia, Murder, Racism, and Suicide
Moderate: Self harm, Alcohol, Blood, Cannibalism, Child abuse, and Cursing
indeedithappens'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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Medical trauma, Sexual content, Death, War, Murder, Xenophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Mental illness, Blood, Colonisation, and Injury/injury detail
Moderate: Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Chronic illness, and Classism
maddiebusick's review
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Gun violence, Medical content, Grief, Colonisation, Xenophobia, Medical trauma, and Injury/injury detail
Minor: Police brutality, Alcohol, Confinement, Cultural appropriation, Sexual content, Terminal illness, and Classism
dreareads_'s review against another edition
4.75
I came into this book expecting a cool sapphic SciFi story and was taken aback by my reaction towards this book. I knew that it played with themes of colonialism but I was not expecting to be moved by Mahits own experience. By the idea of loving parts of your colonizer while simultaneously supporting and fighting for your own people. In many way, it made me think of my own feelings towards to US while being Puerto Rican.
I really loved the characters, and would love to be best friends with Three Seagrass!
The political intrigue of this books was masterful. It was exciting to uncover the conspiracies that make up the Texicalaan Empire, culminating in an ending that was fairly unexpected. The creativity and thoughtfulness that went into this books was fully engaging. This was such a great book!
4.75 stars because I have some nit picks.
1) At times it felt like the plot was taking place AROUND Mahit, instead of WITH her. There were moments where everyone was making decisions that Mahit had very little impact on. Thankfully this changed towards the end but still something that was very evident throughout the book.
2) The world is built on the complexity of language. In many occasions we are TOLD that the Texicalaani language is full of depth but we are rarely SHOWN. Honestly, I understand why we aren't shown (It would've been unreadable) but I would've appreciated a few more examples.
Still. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Graphic: Death, Police brutality, Classism, Blood, Colonisation, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, Murder, Violence, War, and Xenophobia
wrzlprmft's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Classism, Blood, Colonisation, Murder, Suicide, Death, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Gun violence