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cleo_reads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
5.0
Stunning. Can’t believe it took me this long to read this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia
Moderate: Violence and War
serena_hien's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- 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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Slavery, Xenophobia, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Genocide
bellascho's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, and Murder
stellariasolaris's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
I adore this book when the focus is on the natives and absolutely hate it when it’s told from the yumens’ (humans’) perspective. I understand why Le Guin felt like she needed to include their way of thinking but it’s awful to read through and legitimately triggering at times.
I really do wish there was another part two of sorts where we just follow the Athsheans around and explore their way of thinking - the dreaming and their relationships to one another. They’re such fascinating ideas, especially their idea of afterlife with their loved ones.
I recommend reading the introduction to the story where she explains her process behind writing it, specifically this feeling of urgency on anti-war and anti-imperialism activism. Unfortunately it’s all still relevant today.
I really do wish there was another part two of sorts where we just follow the Athsheans around and explore their way of thinking - the dreaming and their relationships to one another. They’re such fascinating ideas, especially their idea of afterlife with their loved ones.
I recommend reading the introduction to the story where she explains her process behind writing it, specifically this feeling of urgency on anti-war and anti-imperialism activism. Unfortunately it’s all still relevant today.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Xenophobia, and Colonisation
sheyri's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, and Colonisation
Moderate: Misogyny, Rape, and Slavery
Minor: Drug use
the_other_yvonne's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, and War
Moderate: Drug use, Rape, and Sexual violence
gracethebibliofeline's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
You should absolutely read this! It was a beautiful novel, with such evocative imagery and a poignant story. The introduction of violence to a peaceful culture through colonialism is an unfortunately pertinent topic. A truly heartbreaking story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation
Moderate: Genocide, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Violence, and Xenophobia
Minor: Addiction and Drug abuse
evehowell's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
absolutely incredible book, one that gets ever more relevant with time. tells us so much about humans and how we will lose everything - i wish everybody in the world had read it so they could understand.
i was driven largely in my reading of it by the introduction’s statement that it tells of what happens to a colonised people’s morality in the aftermath of defending themselves, and i saw this message very expertly woven throughout the narrative. politically, this book is a masterpiece - an easy 5/5.
outside of its “real world” implications, the book is also fantastic. the characters are brilliant - davidson’s pure evilness is compelling (although it almost sent me spiralling in rage at times), lyubov both admirable and pitiable, and selver the unlikely antihero - what can you do but root for him?
the most compelling part for me, which will haunt me for weeks to come, was lyubov’s reaction to selver’s warning about the attack on Central. the very small admission that he knew what it meant and didn’t allow himself to act on it, in itself an act of both sacrifice and betrayal, is haunting. selver’s acceptance of lyubov being victim of the attack, but the everlasting impact of accepting this fact, gives perfect and realistic weight to the reality of the situation.
i could talk about this book for hours. it’s true that having read it has changed me as a person, and for that i’m very grateful.
i was driven largely in my reading of it by the introduction’s statement that it tells of what happens to a colonised people’s morality in the aftermath of defending themselves, and i saw this message very expertly woven throughout the narrative. politically, this book is a masterpiece - an easy 5/5.
outside of its “real world” implications, the book is also fantastic. the characters are brilliant - davidson’s pure evilness is compelling (although it almost sent me spiralling in rage at times), lyubov both admirable and pitiable, and selver the unlikely antihero - what can you do but root for him?
the most compelling part for me, which will haunt me for weeks to come, was lyubov’s reaction to selver’s warning about the attack on Central. the very small admission that he knew what it meant and didn’t allow himself to act on it, in itself an act of both sacrifice and betrayal, is haunting. selver’s acceptance of lyubov being victim of the attack, but the everlasting impact of accepting this fact, gives perfect and realistic weight to the reality of the situation.
i could talk about this book for hours. it’s true that having read it has changed me as a person, and for that i’m very grateful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia
Moderate: Racism and Sexism
attackrat's review against another edition
5.0
an on-the-nose metaphor but great storytelling nonetheless. I’m convinced that (blue-people) Avatar was inspired by this book
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Xenophobia
franksalot's review against another edition
3.0
had no idea what was going on but it had a powerful underlying message also i think this book inspired avatar honestly
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Xenophobia, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Rape