starlitpage's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Xenophobia, War, Violence, Medical content, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Self harm, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Terminal illness, Sexual content, and Abandonment
alisonvh's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
If you like your sci-fi with a whole bunch of political intrigue, and sassy dialogue, this book is for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Terminal illness, Suicide, Gore, War, Medical content, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Colonisation, Forced institutionalization, Stalking, Police brutality, Murder, Violence, and Classism
sauvageloup's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
a fascinating space opera, not usually my genre but really enjoyed it.
pros:
- cool and innovative world building, very original. loved the details of the technology, the poetry culture, the complicated politics, the empire and its colonialism, the naming structure, the way they have clones more than kids it seem , etc.
- Mahit's love and hate relationship with the empire's culture and people, and how she desperately wants to be part of it, but sees its flaws and loves her own people.
- the writing was lovely, super evocative and descriptive, very visual.
- the romance was not focused on but a sweet moment too.
- loved the relationships and the details of the side characters. and the gently mentioned queerness that wasnt a big point but quietly there and no bigotry or question was raised about it.
- also loved the turns in plot, always surprising
- it also left more to be explored, with the imminent threat of aliens, Mahit heading back home and facing the woman who sabotaged her mind thing, and I want to hear more about the emperor's 90% clone and if he'll really turn out like his "father". </spoilers>
cons:
- I was losing track of the characters a fair bit. partly bc of their unusual names I think, and bc of the sheer no. tho I did take a break in the middle too. But I didnt realise there was a character and word glossary at the back which I should've checked.
- I did find it slightly sad that we didnt get to see more of Mahits mental guy, since she missed him so much but we barely knew him so I didnt relate much.
- I did just generally find it a bit of a slow read, but I think that's just the genre and it isnt rly a criticism. it definitely really got going in the 2nd half too, it didnt drag at all.
so overall, a really good read and I plan to read the 2nd book when the library gets it for me :) thanks to @deadlypapercut for getting it for me.
pros:
- cool and innovative world building, very original. loved the details of the technology, the poetry culture, the complicated politics, the empire and its colonialism, the naming structure, the way they have clones more than kids it seem , etc.
- Mahit's love and hate relationship with the empire's culture and people, and how she desperately wants to be part of it, but sees its flaws and loves her own people.
Spoiler
I loved the ending where she decides to go back home while she still wants to. really shows her growth in character and the complicated nature of her relationship with the empire- the writing was lovely, super evocative and descriptive, very visual.
- the romance
Spoiler
between mahit and three seagrass at the end- loved the relationships and the details of the side characters. and the gently mentioned queerness that wasnt a big point but quietly there and no bigotry or question was raised about it.
- also loved the turns in plot, always surprising
Spoiler
especially the big reveal at the end about the new emperor, which fixed a lot of problems and worked so well. and Mahit managing to get her mental guy back again.- it also left more to be explored, with the imminent threat of aliens, Mahit heading back home and facing the woman who sabotaged her mind thing, and I want to hear more about the emperor's 90% clone and if he'll really turn out like his "father". </spoilers>
cons:
- I was losing track of the characters a fair bit. partly bc of their unusual names I think, and bc of the sheer no. tho I did take a break in the middle too. But I didnt realise there was a character and word glossary at the back which I should've checked.
- I did find it slightly sad that we didnt get to see more of Mahits mental guy, since she missed him so much but we barely knew him so I didnt relate much.
Spoiler
and when he did come back, I didnt love him that much, bc he'd sold out this info and wasnt as likeable as Mahit, or we didnt see as much of him- I did just generally find it a bit of a slow read, but I think that's just the genre and it isnt rly a criticism. it definitely really got going in the 2nd half too, it didnt drag at all.
so overall, a really good read and I plan to read the 2nd book when the library gets it for me :) thanks to @deadlypapercut for getting it for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Medical content, Death, Violence, War, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Grief, Colonisation, Suicide, and Blood
pocket's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and Violence
bloodbrooxv's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, Blood, Death, Grief, Suicide, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, and Violence
Moderate: Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Medical content
Minor: Medical trauma, Gun violence, Police brutality, and Vomit
theaceofpages's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
3.5
I think this is the kind of book you have to reread to get the full impact. Will I reread it though? I'm not sure. There are so many books out there and this is a long one. The world building is very in depth so there's a lot of new terminology and a lot of politics so it's a lot to keep track of.
Mahit is chosen as the new leader not because she's the perfect candidate, but because she'd the best out if the available options after the previous leader dies under mysterious circumstances. She has, however, always dreamer of visiting the capital and this is even better than she could have hoped for - she has none of the limitations she would have experienced as a visitor.
I enjoyed meeting the various characters (and the very unique naming system) and seeing the world unfold. I also loved the various little notices and other snippets of life at the start of each chapter. I always love it when authors include things like this in their books. It makes the world feel bigger and more real (to me at least). I feel like the book does a great job (be it intentionally or not) of criticising our own world and the influences of power and how that interacts with diversity and culture.
A fair warning. The story starts off slow. It takes a long time for the plot to properly get started. I will admit that I struggled to stay focused at times. While the idea behind this book was great, it could really have done with a little bit of streamlining. I also found the technology a little inconsistent - humanity has spread beyond earth and yet some things seem a little basic given the technology they have. Nothing big, but small little world building details (although the author did describe the book as a trap so maybe it makes sense in a way).
Mahit is chosen as the new leader not because she's the perfect candidate, but because she'd the best out if the available options after the previous leader dies under mysterious circumstances. She has, however, always dreamer of visiting the capital and this is even better than she could have hoped for - she has none of the limitations she would have experienced as a visitor.
I enjoyed meeting the various characters (and the very unique naming system) and seeing the world unfold. I also loved the various little notices and other snippets of life at the start of each chapter. I always love it when authors include things like this in their books. It makes the world feel bigger and more real (to me at least). I feel like the book does a great job (be it intentionally or not) of criticising our own world and the influences of power and how that interacts with diversity and culture.
A fair warning. The story starts off slow. It takes a long time for the plot to properly get started. I will admit that I struggled to stay focused at times. While the idea behind this book was great, it could really have done with a little bit of streamlining. I also found the technology a little inconsistent - humanity has spread beyond earth and yet some things seem a little basic given the technology they have. Nothing big, but small little world building details (although the author did describe the book as a trap so maybe it makes sense in a way).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Blood, and Colonisation
Moderate: Violence and Medical content
Minor: Self harm
lybarron's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation
Moderate: Blood, Suicide, Xenophobia, Medical content, and Murder
Minor: War
valhecka's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I love how "who is we" is presented first as a clarifying question and then becomes the entire story. Deeply satisfying.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content
jiji_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A HIDDEN GEM! I was completely taken with this unique and fast-paced adventure, part political murder mystery, part sci-fi drama, set against the backdrop of themes such as culture clash, xenophobia, colonialism, and tech ethics.
Funny, charming, and totally unique with fascinating and effortless world building. It help me captive and delivered twists, joys, and sorrows.
It's a bit of a challenge, because it won't hold your hand. If you can let go of the need to know everything and have things spelled out for you and just immerse yourself, then you're in for a huge treat. Can't wait for the sequel. What a journey.
For fans of The Locked Tomb series, Master of Djinn (Dead Djinn Universe), Light From Uncommon Stars, and the Wayfarer series.
Funny, charming, and totally unique with fascinating and effortless world building. It help me captive and delivered twists, joys, and sorrows.
It's a bit of a challenge, because it won't hold your hand. If you can let go of the need to know everything and have things spelled out for you and just immerse yourself, then you're in for a huge treat. Can't wait for the sequel. What a journey.
For fans of The Locked Tomb series, Master of Djinn (Dead Djinn Universe), Light From Uncommon Stars, and the Wayfarer series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical trauma, Violence, War, Stalking, and Xenophobia
Minor: Blood, Confinement, Murder, Grief, Medical content, Colonisation, Death, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical trauma
ijustreallyliketrees's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-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? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Xenophobia and Medical content