enbyglitch's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely stunning.
Reminded me of "The Traitor Baru Cormorant" in a lot of deeply exciting ways, especially in how each book explores colonialism and one's individual relationship to a complex, overwhelming culture.
Love the naming conventions, the imago machines (Cancrioth parallel!), and so much more <3
Reminded me of "The Traitor Baru Cormorant" in a lot of deeply exciting ways, especially in how each book explores colonialism and one's individual relationship to a complex, overwhelming culture.
Love the naming conventions, the imago machines (Cancrioth parallel!), and so much more <3
bellechanson's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like this so much; it was so hyped and had all the awards. But it was a SLOG to get through and I almost DNF'd multiple times.
I loved the idea/concept, but it just felt so poorly executed and with so little consideration for how things ACTUALLY work. First of all, a twenty-something ambassador with no diplomatic/off-world experience whatsoever? The only qualifications Mahit has are that she is fluent in the language and is compatible with the former ambassador's imago-machine. But no experience to speak of on her own. Second, IN WHAT UNIVERSE does an ambassador get sent to another country with ZERO support staff from their home country (or planet, in this case)? Like I get that this is sci-fi, but come on.
I loved the idea/concept, but it just felt so poorly executed and with so little consideration for how things ACTUALLY work. First of all, a twenty-something ambassador with no diplomatic/off-world experience whatsoever? The only qualifications Mahit has are that she is fluent in the language and is compatible with the former ambassador's imago-machine. But no experience to speak of on her own. Second, IN WHAT UNIVERSE does an ambassador get sent to another country with ZERO support staff from their home country (or planet, in this case)? Like I get that this is sci-fi, but come on.
mintshoongi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Anthropology meets language with a touch of gay people, remember that its a two book series before getting sad at the end
maxed's review against another edition
4.0
It's like the author have finished Bujold's "Cetaganda" and decided she can do... Not better, but about just as well. Really, there are quite a number of similarities between the two books: a "barbaric" ambassador comes to a byzantine Empire and has to solve some murders, unravel some intrigues and possible prevent a war against his/her home planet. Both even has oration events, though in case of Martine's book, the protagonist does not compose limericks in her head to relieve the boredom, but rather actually likes it. And there is a side-kick who's funny, but ultimately capable.
I must be clear that I'm making no accusation of plagiarism here. More importantly, even if the author did actually try to write in style of Bujold, the world can do with more good attempts at emulating Lois - and this attempt certainly stands well on its own. The main attraction - as with Bujold, too - is not even the intrigue, but the characters. They are witty, colorful, interesting. I'm looking forward to reading "A Desolation Called Peace", and will certainly count this novel among one of the best books I've read this year (it doesn't earn a 5-star rating only because I rarely give it at all).
I must be clear that I'm making no accusation of plagiarism here. More importantly, even if the author did actually try to write in style of Bujold, the world can do with more good attempts at emulating Lois - and this attempt certainly stands well on its own. The main attraction - as with Bujold, too - is not even the intrigue, but the characters. They are witty, colorful, interesting. I'm looking forward to reading "A Desolation Called Peace", and will certainly count this novel among one of the best books I've read this year (it doesn't earn a 5-star rating only because I rarely give it at all).
iasmy's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
amsairl's review against another edition
I purchased the audiobook, and the narration was awful.
mlynch133's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
4.0