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mar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Vomit, and Medical content
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Torture, Excrement, Kidnapping, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Rape, Islamophobia, and Sexual harassment
bookishplantmom's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The author’s writing style is captivating. It forces the reader the wrestle with the story as it refuses access to itself. The structure of the book is fragmented and nonlinear. I found the pacing difficult because of the fragmented nature of the plot but I was enraptured by the world building and wanted more of it all the time. The biology of the world is amazing and I look forward to to seeing more of it in the rest of the series!
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Physical abuse, Violence, Excrement, Vomit, Medical content, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Rape
skudiklier's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cancer, Confinement, Drug use, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Xenophobia, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism, Addiction, Child death, Fatphobia, Genocide, Homophobia, Rape, Sexism, Slavery, Suicide, Transphobia, Forced institutionalization, Islamophobia, Car accident, Colonisation, and War
sarah984's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Fatphobia, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Colonisation
Minor: Ableism, Cancer, Drug abuse, Slavery, and Cannibalism
luckykosmos'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
Some notes:
- Kaaro is a misogynist. This is commented on in the plot, something the author is fully aware of and makes sure the audience knows. I like reading books from points of view of 'bad' people, but it's worth keeping this in mind.
- Plus, it leads into note #2 - while people are rarely sexualized, there is a lot of sex, particularly when Molara shows up. It isn't frequently said in detail, but sometimes feels out of place, except for the personality Kaaro has built up. I never want to read the phrase 'fleshy baton' again.
- Because of the nature of the xenosphere, sections that take place between the real world and the xenosphere can be a little hard to follow, if it switches between the two quickly. Nonetheless, it's fascinating, and given the final act of the book, I want to know more about how all of this works.
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Body horror
Minor: Homophobia and Rape
crow_enjoyer'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
4.0
The book is really about how one man reacts to all this. He's not particularly likeable. He's a horny kleptomaniac who struggles to maintain any friendships, and he admits as much. It makes sense why he is this way, given his circumstances, but regardless, he's not exactly a loveable guy. This is equal parts fascinating and frustrating, in my opinion, and ultimately I'm left wanting more.
In a way, my ultimate opinion on this book will likely depend on what I get in the rest of the triology, but for now I can say it's been an enjoyable ride.
Moderate: Rape, Torture, and Murder