Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

The Union by Leah Vernon

4 reviews

gallivantingsushi's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

• 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

I got this through Amazon first reads and I appreciate they showcase a diverse group of authors, and the premise of a society by and for people of color intrigued me immensely. However,

Spoiler

I was immediately shocked to find that society was based on not just racist and oppressive, but actively genocidal premises, and leaves us rooting for the mainly-white rebellion? It seems a strange choice for an author of color to make.

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. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Physical abuse, Violence, Trafficking, Genocide, and Death of parent

Minor: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Addiction, Drug use, Toxic relationship, and Vomit

bookobsessedfamily's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark fast-paced

5.0

Triggers: war, death, gore, torture

Avi is and Elite who is next in line to rule the southern district.

Saige is a Lower Resident, but is worse than that, she’s an impure, a person of mixed race. It’s illegal, so who is her dad?

The Union is in a time when people of color have all the power. White individuals are workers and, in Avi’s opinion, are treated poorly. But Avi’s family doesn’t feel the same way. They believe the Lower Residents need to pay for how their ancestors were treated.

Will Avi be able to change how things are done? Will Saige be able to escape alive?

I truly enjoyed reading this book. It’s a duel POV so you can see things through Saige’s eyes and Avi’s. There was a lot of action and suspense. The ending was something I didn’t see coming.

I can’t wait for the next book.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Gore, Death, Death of parent, and Torture

arthur_ant18's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Racism, Gun violence, Genocide, Gore, Drug use, Violence, Slavery, War, Police brutality, and Classism

Moderate: Rape, Torture, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Confinement, Deportation, Cursing, Abandonment, Sexual violence, Child abuse, and Grief

Minor: Pregnancy, Vomit, and Fire/Fire injury

zarlynsnook's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark tense fast-paced

4.0

*ARC review*
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.*

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Genocide, Racism, Slavery, War, Addiction, Blood, Death of parent, Body shaming, Classism, and Emotional abuse