erika_t's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Confinement, Medical content, and Violence
lisaandthebooks'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? Yes
5.0
Whereas the first book was about community, fame and working together to solve a mystery - the second book was more about society & social criticism while trying to avoid a war / complete human subjugation.
I took a break when I was about halfway through this book. Mostly because I wasn't in the right headspace to read about a possible war and so many bad people. This book is very realistic in it's approach. There is a lot of scientific knowledge and also social critisism done in a clear and well thought through way. It is obvious that Hank Green knew what message he wanted this book to have and he didn't incorporate it subtly at all. I didn't mind that though. The message was obvious but also fit into the story perfectly and gave the characters more depth. I loved the different POVs and how every character had a unique and explored personality. Also they are all flawed but still choose to do the right thing. It sometimes got frustrating to read about annoying, powerhungry and bad people but at least you knew that they would eventually loose and in reallife that doesn't really happen.
I listened to this book and I would highly recommend the audiobook experience. There are multiple different voice actors with easily distinguishable voices. Also Hank Green himself narrated the part of a podcast which was pretty cool.
I had a review almost twice as long as this but I accidentally deleted it... Anyways I think that was mostly what I wanted to say. I might add some stuff later on.
Oh also I would recommend this duology very much! Still I know that many people won't like it. It has a very particular narrating style and also the characters can be frustrating. It is definitely not a book you can read or listen to with only half your brain. You will need to think about it and analyse it. I know that I will continue to think about it for a long time to come.
Graphic: Ableism, Gore, Kidnapping, Murder, Police brutality, Slavery, Classism, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Addiction
aseel_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
i liked the plot and the different characters, i enjoyed most of the social commentary, however, at times it was quite on the nose.
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Confinement, Outing, Biphobia, Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, Hate crime, and Medical content
claudiamacpherson's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Addiction, Blood, Body horror, Colonisation, Classism, Confinement, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, Vomit, and Gun violence
Minor: Medical content, Physical abuse, Medical trauma, Misogyny, and Racism
theirgracegrace'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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Medical content, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, and Gaslighting
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Colonisation, Racism, Physical abuse, Grief, Violence, Murder, Mental illness, and Death
cheye13's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I think the first book had to do a lot of unfortunate fame- and internet-related groundwork to make this book possible, so for those who felt let down by An Absolutely Remarkable Thing, I urge you to continue with this sequel. I liked the first one fine, but this one is indeed remarkable.
I'm a sucker for an ensemble cast, and the plot offers a lot of insight into current affairs. Occasionally a bit too close for comfort – akin to reading 1984 in 1984, I imagine. A timely and skillfully executed science fiction story.
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
Moderate: Cursing, Kidnapping, Racism, Violence, and Vomit
Not explicitly police brutality, but a scene with a police altercation may be upsetting. Some dicussions of and/or conflations of reality vs virtual reality may be upsetting.baponthecob's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Also, I didnt expect to love Carl so much??? And the they/them pronouns made me very happy :))
Hank has a very hopeful perspective for humanity, and I think that's important to hold on to when it's so easy to feel like shitty things will never change.
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Confinement, Grief, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and Racism
Minor: Cursing and Sexual content
lara_r'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? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Confinement, Medical trauma, Medical content, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Violence, Vomit, Addiction, and Racism
Minor: Gun violence and Death
cerilouisereads'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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Forced institutionalization, Confinement, Gore, Grief, and Medical content
Moderate: Police brutality, Racism, Cursing, Gore, Gun violence, and Kidnapping
nixieba25f's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Blood, Confinement, Eating disorder, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Medical content, Racism, Sexism, Misogyny, Slavery, and Xenophobia