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gallivantingsushi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Also, given how the novel clearly intends to explore race politics, I'm shocked that it doesn't even mention what happened to Asian, Latinx, and especially Native people during the building of the Union.
Aside from those two big questions I also found the plot jumpy and somewhat illogical, and the characters one dimensional. I think Saige and Avi were intended as foils (strength/weakness, traumatized/pampered) but to me they read more like two sides of a complete person. Which made it extra weird that in this "story of friendship" the protagonists don't meet for half the book, and then don't really like each other.
Overall interesting and good enough to finish, but I was hoping for more.
Graphic: Genocide, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Police brutality, Trafficking, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Drug use, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
arthur_ant18's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Police brutality, War, and Classism
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Deportation
Minor: Vomit, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
zarlynsnook's review against another edition
4.0
First time reading a dystopian novel that puts the black community in the spotlight and it did not disappoint. The world building is good, every plot points presented was explored enough but left some room to tackle for the sequels. I also love the fact that the plot did not focus alot on romance. However,the characterization did not offer something new for me.
*Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this book.*
Graphic: Addiction, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Racism, Slavery, Blood, Death of parent, War, and Classism