The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! đ
puckeverlasting's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Genocide, War, Colonisation, Racism, Chronic illness, Death, Gun violence, Xenophobia, and Classism
gardens_and_dragons's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
If this had a bit more plot, and less lesson-of-the-week 90s sitcom feeling, I would have rated it higher. Felt a bit disconnected plot wise, but overall it was charming.Â
Graphic: Xenophobia and Violence
Moderate: Terminal illness and Genocide
ekcd_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Itâs an incredibly slow book, plot wise, and the few plot events we do see dont make sense. The characters have odd reactions - socially and culturally. And god knows Becky Chambers lives to talk about how different all her aliens are. There is a weird fixation on sex and sexual differences in the book which could have been a fun exploration in sexuality if it was done well but instead it felt like she was patting herself on the back for coming up with such sexually diverse races/species. Several times in the book she says outright âyeah XYZ is so different from humansâ and like thatâs it.Â
I feel like I read a different book than all the critics (formal and informal) who have such high praise. This read like a YA novel or childrenâs cartoon that feeds the reader emotions with a spoon. Iâm fact, most of the world building in general is fed to the reader with a spoon- itâs explicit and heavy handed OR itâs nonsense words that are never explained or expanded on. Itâs clear the author uses letters and characters who are librarians to shoehorn in world building she wasnât creative enough to build into the narrative. No nuance, no complexity. Just a feel good mill, which I personally do not like. I want moral ambiguity and conflict in my space opera.Â
Graphic: Chronic illness, Colonisation, Deadnaming, Police brutality, Drug use, Grief, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Cultural appropriation, Cursing, Toxic friendship, Violence, Alcohol, War, Death, Genocide, and Classism
Moderate: Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, and Blood
mxawprince's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
1.5
I'll probably read something more recent from this author to see if it gets better.
Graphic: Ableism, Colonisation, and Cultural appropriation
Moderate: Gun violence, Xenophobia, Genocide, Racism, and War
Minor: Chronic illness, Religious bigotry, Terminal illness, Antisemitism, Gun violence, and Fatphobia
novella42's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Death, Grief, Terminal illness, Violence, and Xenophobia
Moderate: War
Minor: Genocide, Animal death, Sexual content, and Drug use
lycheeteareads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Xenophobia, Terminal illness, and War
Minor: Genocide, Sexual content, and Drug use
mjwhitlock18's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Grief
Moderate: War, Xenophobia, and Terminal illness
Minor: Drug use, Genocide, and Sexual content
charlotteschapter's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Death, Grief, Violence, Terminal illness, and Chronic illness
Moderate: War, Racism, Medical content, and Xenophobia
Minor: Drug use, Sexual content, and Genocide
kirstym25's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Grief, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Xenophobia, Terminal illness, and Genocide
aseel_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Blood, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Racial slurs, Violence, and War