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kappafrog's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
What a wonderful book. I loved the slow pace of Ofelia finally getting the chance to come into her own. I loved the People and their society. . On the one hand, this was a classic first contact story in the vein of the best Star Trek. On the other hand, it was totally unique in its main character, and that shaped the book into something unique too.
The colony was pretty dystopian with such strong conservative values that it led to murder. It could have been interesting to see that explored a bit more, but actually, it was conveyed pretty well by the conditioning we saw Ofelia breaking out of.
This book will stay with me for a long time!
The colony was pretty dystopian with such strong conservative values that it led to murder. It could have been interesting to see that explored a bit more, but actually, it was conveyed pretty well by the conditioning we saw Ofelia breaking out of.
This book will stay with me for a long time!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Ableism, Child death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, and Deportation
Minor: Body shaming, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Dementia, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcohol, War, and Pandemic/Epidemic
careinthelibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I don't even know what to say about this masterpiece but I'm going to try. I don't typically read "interstellar sci-fi", preferring most often dystopian or earth-based subgenres instead. But I picked this up after a friend's recommendation and it's fantastic.
Ofelia is funny, wise, shrewd, creative, and free. I don't even like aliens or interstellar sci-fi but this is amazing. I laughed out loud several times and fell in love with an elderly woman in space and her alien companions. She's lovable, relatable, comforting, yet expansive and surprising.
The themes of anthropology and linguistics, the harm of colonization and occupation, parenthood, aging, the adventure of solitude and the wonders of learning were all so well done. Her character arc is awesome. At first, small steps towards reclaiming her identity as an individual, stretching her wings of freedom by stripping off her ties to her previous community, then giant leaps of bravery and fierce protectiveness in a tense conclusion.
From wanting to be left alone to craving community and closeness. She starts out seeing the creatures as Other, less intelligent, frustrating. Then she adapts to them, understands them more, humbles herself. Starts to see the invaders of her own species as awkward, annoying, and primitive. Full circle.
It's a great story, but the star is the exceptional protagonist.
Ofelia is funny, wise, shrewd, creative, and free. I don't even like aliens or interstellar sci-fi but this is amazing. I laughed out loud several times and fell in love with an elderly woman in space and her alien companions. She's lovable, relatable, comforting, yet expansive and surprising.
The themes of anthropology and linguistics, the harm of colonization and occupation, parenthood, aging, the adventure of solitude and the wonders of learning were all so well done. Her character arc is awesome. At first, small steps towards reclaiming her identity as an individual, stretching her wings of freedom by stripping off her ties to her previous community, then giant leaps of bravery and fierce protectiveness in a tense conclusion.
From wanting to be left alone to craving community and closeness. She starts out seeing the creatures as Other, less intelligent, frustrating. Then she adapts to them, understands them more, humbles herself. Starts to see the invaders of her own species as awkward, annoying, and primitive. Full circle.
It's a great story, but the star is the exceptional protagonist.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Chronic illness, and Violence
Moderate: Death, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape and Excrement
Ageismyrioona's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
I love the way Elizabeth Moon builds suspense and emotional investment through deceptively slow, gentle, narration of day-to-day existence and the gradual transformation of the main character's inner life. This was a really warm, human, approach to a first contact story that mostly avoided cliche and over-sentimentality, quietly raising its stakes until suddenly I couldn't put it down. Really enjoyable and affecting and perfectly paced.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, and Sexism
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence