dani_k's review against another edition
3.0
This book was an interesting look at 70s science fantasy for me. I enjoyed some of the ideas here—the “magic,” the hints of technology and a universe outside of the main character’s home planet. Aletys’s rape about halfway through was a major turn off for me, as were all of the made-up words thrown around without any context or definition provided. Still, good enough that I finished and am curious as to where the rest of the series goes from here.
opinionsofawolf's review
The first chapter of this book was racing around space but then it quickly moves to life on a pre-tech planet. It's very bogged down with a lot of made-up words that seem to want to be Arabic and a made-up culture that feels like an insulting take on the Middle East. The main character, Aleytys gets beat up on a lot because of who her mother is. When it moved into the backstory of her mother and the fact that her mother was enslaved and raped (resulting in Aleytys), I decided to come to GoodReads to see if it gets better....apparently it gets worse with Aleytys wandering around the planet and getting raped repeatedly and outer space and aliens only returning in the last few chapters. This combination of bordering on insulting made-up world and repeated rape of the main character just isn't worth me finishing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Cultural appropriation
beckyramone's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
charlottesometimes's review
adventurous
slow-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
2.0
All the expected problems: too many unnecessary, undefined new vocab words, too many characters, main character who is both a chosen one and a ‘not like other girls’ type, basic beginning of a quest plot with no reason for me to care. Very boring. And worst of all, so much horrible, unnecessary rape, sexual slavery and sexual violence as plot device and page filler.
I am amazed that this was written by a woman. It seemed to have no understanding whatsoever of women’s bodies, or understanding that they’re actual people and not sex plot devices. Maybe it’s a joke?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Violence
Moderate: Domestic abuse
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