Scan barcode
ratstick's review against another edition
3.0
U G H I hated the romance, I thought so much could have been cut although in the end I understand why it was important but all the romance stuff was SO BORING. All the biotech and Company and monster stuff was cool and held my attention but everything else felt like a slog.
mcaz8's review against another edition
5.0
High concept, weird, myterious sci-fi grounded by some of the most heart and humanity I've ever encountered in a book like this. Beautifully unnatural nature. Strange, complicated, heartbreaking characters. A malicious flying bear overlord. Maybe my favorite book I've read all year?? Obsessed.
jenpaul13's review against another edition
4.0
As technology develops, we're presented with new possibilities for how humans can destroy the world as we know it. Borne by Jeff VanderMeer depicts a world in ruins and filled with abandoned biotech experiments running rampant.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Scavenging for survival in a city ruined by conflict and the rulings of a fearsome, giant biotech bear, Rachel comes across an odd piece of salvage, which she brings home to her partner Wick and names Borne. Borne initially resembles a plant, but quickly begins to grow and develop - he can speak, change his shape, and learn at an incredible rate. Rachel quickly becomes very attached to Borne, despite Wick's apt warnings not to as Borne's development has thrown their fragile ecosystem off-kilter and exposed them to enemies, which threaten their livelihood and odds of survival.
The writing was rather interesting and well crafted. I quite enjoyed the premise and story as a whole, but I was a little confused by how some of the narrative was constructed - uncertainties in the specifics of various things, primarily settings. Toward the end of the novel, it turned more existential in asking "am I human?" and that was a more overt way of calling attention to a primary theme of the novel. I enjoyed Borne's growing up and learning new vocabulary and distinctions in the world (albeit it a dystopian future world) as there was an innocence to it and it provided some levity and an alternate perspective from which to consider words and accepted ways of the world.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Scavenging for survival in a city ruined by conflict and the rulings of a fearsome, giant biotech bear, Rachel comes across an odd piece of salvage, which she brings home to her partner Wick and names Borne. Borne initially resembles a plant, but quickly begins to grow and develop - he can speak, change his shape, and learn at an incredible rate. Rachel quickly becomes very attached to Borne, despite Wick's apt warnings not to as Borne's development has thrown their fragile ecosystem off-kilter and exposed them to enemies, which threaten their livelihood and odds of survival.
The writing was rather interesting and well crafted. I quite enjoyed the premise and story as a whole, but I was a little confused by how some of the narrative was constructed - uncertainties in the specifics of various things, primarily settings. Toward the end of the novel, it turned more existential in asking "am I human?" and that was a more overt way of calling attention to a primary theme of the novel. I enjoyed Borne's growing up and learning new vocabulary and distinctions in the world (albeit it a dystopian future world) as there was an innocence to it and it provided some levity and an alternate perspective from which to consider words and accepted ways of the world.
madalina_ionesscu's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
thefantasynerd93's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Enjoyment 9/10
Concept 10/10
Execution 9/10
Writing 9/10
Plot & Logic 7/10
Pacing & Structure 7/10
Atmosphere 10/10
Characters 9/10
Intrigue 9/10
World Building 10/10
Rating: 4.53/5
Concept 10/10
Execution 9/10
Writing 9/10
Plot & Logic 7/10
Pacing & Structure 7/10
Atmosphere 10/10
Characters 9/10
Intrigue 9/10
World Building 10/10
Rating: 4.53/5
rookiestarwing's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
slow-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
4.0
yknight's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to love this book, but I just didn't. It wasn't bad, but not something I'm going to recommend to all my friend. There just wasn't really any plot or point to what the characters were doing. They just survived, and then sometimes some random things happened. The story wasn't driving towards anything.
kolemich's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Slow to start. Loved the depictions of the monsters created by the Company and the almost hallucinogenic appearance of Borne. Ended up liking it much more than I thought, Vandermeer is an excellent writer and paints such an intricate and diverse landscape.