heytait's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
4.75
tasha5492's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
susz's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ayeheartbooks's review
2.0
As someone who loves sci-fi, and as someone who thinks the human species deserves to go extinct, I initially went into this book thinking I would love it. I was wrong.
While I love the premise and base plot idea, I was generally disappointed by the way this book was written. This book was written with too much emotion, and even too much kindness. Despite being one of the most clinical Erta, Ima is easily swayed by her love (emotions) for her "child." It also takes Ima most of the book to even bother to do anything to find out the "truth" about the lies she is being alerted to earlier in the book. But what really irked me was that despite being "born" with endless knowledge, Ima never picks up a single book or does any other kind of research on early childhood development, nor anything for early childhood education. The only thing she taught Reed was vocabulary. He could have learned so much at such an earlier stage than being sent to school around the age of 5 (or was it 7? I can't quite remember). What a waste of potential.
And when I speak about the story written with too much kindness, let me give you an excerpt for example: 'Did she hate her parents because they lied to her?’ I asked. ‘No. They were still her parents, they had still given her a blissful childhood, wiped her bottom clean, bounced her on their knees and all that. They had never meant to be complicit in the planet’s downfall. Still a good father, still a good mother.'
When Ima asks Oonagh asks about Dr. Nystrom's parents, Oonagh claims they were not complicit. Except for, hello, they were more than complicit, they helped in the downfall of the planet. Even IF Dr. Nystrom's parents didn't start their "firm" until after the age of 25; that would have been around the year 2000. By that time, climate change was a definite threat, if not yet confirmed. Anyone actively working to show "big oil" in a pleasant light was more than complicit, they knowingly benefited from it. But we are supposed to overlook that because they were good parents? Sorry, no. Dr. Nystrom can "not hate" her parents for lying to her and for helping destroy the planet, but as the reader I was more than a little irked by lack of anger or even responsibility given to her parents.
So, yeah, I was just generally let down by the lack of action taken by the main character and the kindness with which we (the reader) are supposed to overlook the glaring mistakes that humanity makes.
While I love the premise and base plot idea, I was generally disappointed by the way this book was written. This book was written with too much emotion, and even too much kindness. Despite being one of the most clinical Erta, Ima is easily swayed by her love (emotions) for her "child." It also takes Ima most of the book to even bother to do anything to find out the "truth" about the lies she is being alerted to earlier in the book. But what really irked me was that despite being "born" with endless knowledge, Ima never picks up a single book or does any other kind of research on early childhood development, nor anything for early childhood education. The only thing she taught Reed was vocabulary. He could have learned so much at such an earlier stage than being sent to school around the age of 5 (or was it 7? I can't quite remember). What a waste of potential.
And when I speak about the story written with too much kindness, let me give you an excerpt for example: 'Did she hate her parents because they lied to her?’ I asked. ‘No. They were still her parents, they had still given her a blissful childhood, wiped her bottom clean, bounced her on their knees and all that. They had never meant to be complicit in the planet’s downfall. Still a good father, still a good mother.'
When Ima asks Oonagh asks about Dr. Nystrom's parents, Oonagh claims they were not complicit. Except for, hello, they were more than complicit, they helped in the downfall of the planet. Even IF Dr. Nystrom's parents didn't start their "firm" until after the age of 25; that would have been around the year 2000. By that time, climate change was a definite threat, if not yet confirmed. Anyone actively working to show "big oil" in a pleasant light was more than complicit, they knowingly benefited from it. But we are supposed to overlook that because they were good parents? Sorry, no. Dr. Nystrom can "not hate" her parents for lying to her and for helping destroy the planet, but as the reader I was more than a little irked by lack of anger or even responsibility given to her parents.
So, yeah, I was just generally let down by the lack of action taken by the main character and the kindness with which we (the reader) are supposed to overlook the glaring mistakes that humanity makes.
noonebuthappy's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to like this, but I do so only partly. The writing style is good, the general idea and some of the world building interesting. Unfortunately, the whole premise of those highly rational beings that are irrational all the time did annoy me and made the reading experience irritating. The plot is also kinda meh (some twists, but nothing gripping) and the characters didn't click for me. All in all 2.5 stars, but I will try another book by this author in the future.
sonjaha's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
sisimka's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.5
grudgemental's review against another edition
4.0
Good story, compelling narrative and still a good sci-fi backdrop to the whole narrative
katyla's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book! Beautifully written, very well crafted, and an insightful, sometime humorous, look at the potential and possibilities of humanity. A celebration of humanity in all it's splendour, the good and the bad, and ending with hope for a brighter future.