audiobook_obsession's review
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
This is really different than everything else I've ever read. It's a settler story. It's hopeful and a few times I thought "I know what will happen " but it was never true.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Murder
capellini's review
Couldn't get into it. I liked the idea of the story being divided into generations, but none of the characters were memorable. I didn't really care about any of them and it became a chore to read after the second chapter. (Also a totally unnecessary and out of the blue SA scene in chapter 2--why do authors do this??)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
mordshunger's review
adventurous
mysterious
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
3.5
This one is tough to rate. There's some pretty graphic violence and a completely unnecessary rape scene, which really prevented me from enjoying this take on a civilization story. I've never read something with these ideas before, although I'm sure it has been done. In the end, the author didn't take the more daring aspects far enough. I was surprised by the ending
Spoiler
because it didn't all turn to shit. They stick to their values, more or less. I've read another review on here that was OUTRAGED about the consideration of slavery and I expected much worse. This was obviously not a pacifist ending, but I was prepared for a much more Orvellian twist. I was pleasantly surprised by Stevland considering himself as a citizen and identifying strongly with society.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Violence, Xenophobia, and War
liberty_the_baron's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
annafr's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Death, and War
Minor: Rape
jchinzi's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Murder
msteasam's review
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
medium-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? Yes
4.5
This was a great first contact novel. The exploration of human culture when removed from earth and transplanted into an alien environment was very well done. This book is a generational saga which pits optimism and survival against each other in a very interesting way. The author managed to give every POV character a distinct voice and different ideals.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Rape
bethmalena's review
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
I thought skipping generations (and narrators) almost every chapter was a bold move! You don’t get really attached to any one character, but you start to treat the whole colony as a changing character. I liked the author’s attention to ensure generations that hadn’t seen Earth didn’t use metaphors or language connected only to Earth. And Stevland… such a unique approach with that character. The author really messed with my expectations - of Stevland, of the Glassmakers - in a really good way. As seems to happen so often lately, I just wasn’t satisfied with the ending. The resolution after the big climax felt too long and ended abruptly - just strangely paced. But I’ll definitely check out the sequel!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Rape, Child death, Xenophobia, and War