fifth_magpie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Antisemitism and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Islamophobia, Rape, Drug abuse, and Alcoholism
xeniaaaaaah's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Suicide, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Addiction, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Drug use, and Alcoholism
Minor: Domestic abuse
adeleighpenguin's review against another edition
3.0
Maybe it’s because, following my thesis proposal defense on Tuesday, my professors told me that they “expected better” that I’m feeling a bit more bitter and judgmental than usual. I don’t think it’s out of place, however, to say that the racial/political commentary in this is sophomoric at best. Heavy handed, extremely on the nose, and awkward, we have to sludge through a 1:1 commentary on personhood through aliens. Rather than allowing themes to be interpreted, they’re instead shoved under your nose; odd side-comments about Bush (in this case, Cheney lol) era United States that feel more like a reminder that we’re reading something Real rather than influential, if that makes sense
And this is just an aside, but why do we have to have 3+ names for every alien that we switch between with no warning
And this is just an aside, but why do we have to have 3+ names for every alien that we switch between with no warning
nikki2x21's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
cricketgoat's review against another edition
5.0
I was fortunate enough to receive an advance copy of Truth of the Divine (thanks Goodreads and St. Martin Press!). Despite that, I feel no obligation to hype this book just because it was free. So, please believe my sincerity when I say that this was an excellent book that exceeded all of my expectations following the first book, Axiom’s End. It is a incredibly thoughtful deepening of character, conflict, and concept that was charming, entertaining, devastating, and significantly heavier/more intense than the first. And that’s all I’m gonna say about that. Hope book 3 isn’t too far away, because I’m on the hook now for sure.
cosmicruin's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
auroramw's review against another edition
3.0
Not only is Lindsay Ellis one of my favorite content creators, she is also a wonderful and creative storyteller. I did, however, feel that the book lost focus during the middle part of the story. I adored Axiom's End, and I enjoyed Truth of the Divine, but I think the book suffers from a minor case of sequel syndrome.
qoutrot's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Sexual content, Xenophobia, and Racism
lostwaterbottle's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
There’s different flavors of alien sci fi. In this one, the aliens evolve with many of the same flaws of humanity. I find that hard to believe because is supposes a predisposition/nature of intelligent life for violence. From that perspective this reads more as a story using aliens to warn readers of the danger of right wing politics.
Some readers might feel there’s too much politics in this story, but I think the author is pretty accurate in imagining how the US would react to first contact. If immigrants at the border move us closer to authoritarianism and the government actively supports the genocide in Palestine, then of course that rhetoric would be used toward ETs.
I did appreciate the depiction of PTSD in Cora and what she was going through as a young person with a traumatic past. Her character felt real and believable to me. I’m disappointed that the sex between her and Kaveh when she was clearly distressed and not in the right headspace to give consent, was never addressed but we just moved past it. <\spoiler>
It was a little slow for me in the second half- I didn’t even tear up at the end tbh. I’m used to more dramatic and smutty books tho. If read the next one. I hope to see a redemption arc for Sol and Cora’s family. I’m also curious as to how humanity preps for meeting the superorganism.
Some readers might feel there’s too much politics in this story, but I think the author is pretty accurate in imagining how the US would react to first contact. If immigrants at the border move us closer to authoritarianism and the government actively supports the genocide in Palestine, then of course that rhetoric would be used toward ETs.
I did appreciate the depiction of PTSD in Cora and what she was going through as a young person with a traumatic past. Her character felt real and believable to me. I’m disappointed that
It was a little slow for me in the second half- I didn’t even tear up at the end tbh. I’m used to more dramatic and smutty books tho. If read the next one. I hope to see a redemption arc for Sol and Cora’s family. I’m also curious as to how humanity preps for meeting the superorganism.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Self harm
Moderate: Antisemitism, Alcoholism, Xenophobia, and Addiction
Minor: Domestic abuse
bean_7088's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Oof... that was a rough one.
Wanna be sad about the human race? Wanna feel fairly hopless? This one is for you!
It does end on a hopeful note... but like that hopefulness is somewhat undercut by the way the character speakin treated.
This one had a lot of tense scenes I wanted to hide from. I had to stop a lot and explain what was going on to my roommate so I could get those jitters out. Like, a televised "discussion" between two different sides of the alien personhood debate. A hearing where unknown evidence comes up.
Anyways, it was still really good.
I'm not sure how I felt about Kaveh. And I'm not sure if it was how he was written or just his voice actor 😅 I'm sure the guy is normally fine, but the main voice actor Stephanie Willis is so incredible that switching to him is quite jarring.
Waring that Cora goes through a lot, this poor kid traumatized over and over. And Stephanie Willis will make you feel it. Listening to Cora's Panic attacks was very distressing.
The ending left on such a wild note I am excited to see where the 3rd book will go. Now I just have to wait 7 months 🥲
Wanna be sad about the human race? Wanna feel fairly hopless? This one is for you!
It does end on a hopeful note... but like that hopefulness is somewhat undercut by the way the character speakin treated.
This one had a lot of tense scenes I wanted to hide from. I had to stop a lot and explain what was going on to my roommate so I could get those jitters out. Like, a televised "discussion" between two different sides of the alien personhood debate. A hearing where unknown evidence comes up.
Anyways, it was still really good.
I'm not sure how I felt about Kaveh. And I'm not sure if it was how he was written or just his voice actor 😅 I'm sure the guy is normally fine, but the main voice actor Stephanie Willis is so incredible that switching to him is quite jarring.
Waring that Cora goes through a lot, this poor kid traumatized over and over. And Stephanie Willis will make you feel it. Listening to Cora's Panic attacks was very distressing.
The ending left on such a wild note I am excited to see where the 3rd book will go. Now I just have to wait 7 months 🥲
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Islamophobia, Grief, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Suicide, Death, Hate crime, Medical trauma, Self harm, Police brutality, and Suicide attempt
Lindsay Ellis does a big Content Warning before everything starts. At least in the audio book.