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jenjenjenmolloy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
rj_owen's review
3.0
It was a bit difficult for me to get through. It was more sci fi than fantasy and the concept was almost too ridiculous and it left some things either wholly unexplained or explained very poorly.
amaznmegan's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
very_laurie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
rickwren's review against another edition
4.0
The creativity is amazing with seemingly a new and grand idea in every chapter. And the way Tepper brings it all together while keeping the humanity of her characters foremost is masterful. I highly recommend this book for anyone who says Science Fiction is too technical or not enough character-based.
mafiabadgers's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
First read 08/2024
Once I'd got to grips with it, I thought this book would be an impressive four stars, maybe bumped up to a five if it handled itself well. It was slow, yes, but marvellously unsettling, with a real sense of significant discovery as the mystery unfolded. I thought it would develop ideas about domestication, using it as a jumping off point for a wider discussion of behavioural modification and free will. Unfortunately, it did not do this.
It turned out that Tepper thought she was writing a book about how badly religion treats women, although the book takes it as a matter of course that Christianity is the only meaningful religion, and is unwilling to acknowledge the existence of any others. I might have been more receptive to the feminism if the book hadn't been so disdainful of all the female characters who weren't mothers, notably Eugenie (protagonist Marjorie's husband's mistress), who the book insists is vapid and stupid and useless.And then she dies, and nobody is all that upset. In addition, Marjorie's Big Moral Revelation was that... you shouldn't 'forgive' people and then let them go on harming others? That it's important to take meaningful action rather than merely feeling holier-than-thou? This is something that would work as a theme, but not as an explicitly stated realisation.
It also tried to throw in some action at the end to give it a dramatic finish, which felt very jarring in relation to the rest of the book. Its cack-handed attempts to ensure the roster of major characters were central to the action at all times didn't help. The book had so much potential, but was ultimately disappointing.
Once I'd got to grips with it, I thought this book would be an impressive four stars, maybe bumped up to a five if it handled itself well. It was slow, yes, but marvellously unsettling, with a real sense of significant discovery as the mystery unfolded. I thought it would develop ideas about domestication, using it as a jumping off point for a wider discussion of behavioural modification and free will. Unfortunately, it did not do this.
It turned out that Tepper thought she was writing a book about how badly religion treats women, although the book takes it as a matter of course that Christianity is the only meaningful religion, and is unwilling to acknowledge the existence of any others. I might have been more receptive to the feminism if the book hadn't been so disdainful of all the female characters who weren't mothers, notably Eugenie (protagonist Marjorie's husband's mistress), who the book insists is vapid and stupid and useless.
It also tried to throw in some action at the end to give it a dramatic finish, which felt very jarring in relation to the rest of the book. Its cack-handed attempts to ensure the roster of major characters were central to the action at all times didn't help. The book had so much potential, but was ultimately disappointing.
dragonfiddler's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
joannneuroth's review against another edition
5.0
I've read this one so many times I can't remember. Marjorie is me in many ways -- she needs to discover it's not hers to save the world through duty. It's hers to be an authentic, passionate enactor of her own story -- a "blade of grass" in a sea of multi-hued oceans of grass. And in doing so, (probably only if she's doing so) sometimes miracles occur.
sannah21's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? No
5.0
Loved it! Bit creepy in parts but all amazing elements that come together at the end. End doesn't feel rushed but was shirt, think the climax of the book is not what you expect it to be. So good though!