howse's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
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
4.0
tamzy6's review against another edition
3.0
I want to like this book, I really do, but I didn't form much attachment to any of the characters. Characters come and go, we are shown vignettes, through Lea's or Anja's eyes, so we see these glimpses of each character, rather than actually reading about them. With the exception of Kaito, all the characters seem vacant and disinteresting, even the 'rebel' Lea. And even then, Kaito's background is relatively unexplored.
twocentsmusic's review
5.0
I came to hear about Rachel Heng in a funny way, but I tried reading her (only book at that time) and was hooked. Her writing was surprisingly matured and polished and I wouldn't have guessed it was her first novel if I didn't do my usual stalk around the internet to find out more about the authors I like thingey.
The book is about a world in which science had advanced so that everyone could technically live forever. Everyone? Or not everyone? What does it mean if you were in that elite, if you were born with better genes that made it more worth it to invest this new tech on you? What about the "brand new trials" for you to become the first to live forever? An eternal life gained or freedom lost?
The book is about a world in which science had advanced so that everyone could technically live forever. Everyone? Or not everyone? What does it mean if you were in that elite, if you were born with better genes that made it more worth it to invest this new tech on you? What about the "brand new trials" for you to become the first to live forever? An eternal life gained or freedom lost?
bigbeardedguy's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
3.75
luciabooksnstuff's review against another edition
3.0
Achei a ideia do livro muito interessante “Se pudesse viver para sempre... viveria?”. Aquela dúvida de que se nos dessem essa oportunidade se queríamos cá estar até ao fim dos tempos. Aqui os humanos parecem carros quando vão à oficina. Fazem revisões e substituições de peças periodicamente. O sangue, a pele, os órgãos são sintéticos. Não é que não se morra mas é mesmo muito difícil. Ter 100 anos é normal. E diria que aqui se pode ter essa idade e aparentar ter uns 30.
Aqui acompanhamos as histórias de Lea e Anja. Começam por ser histórias independentes mas a determinada altura cruzam-se. Uma com umas ideias e outra com outras. São personagens com situações pendentes para resolver. A história é essencialmente as suas lutas para resolverem os seus fantasmas.
A premissa do livro é excelente. Mas é um livro muito mediano. A meu ver a autora dispersou bastante da ideia central. As personagens principais para mim não foram empáticas o suficiente para ficar a gostar delas. A escrita nem é boa nem má. De forma geral acho que este livro tinha tudo para ler excelente mas a autora não soube lidar bem com a história que foi criando.
Aqui acompanhamos as histórias de Lea e Anja. Começam por ser histórias independentes mas a determinada altura cruzam-se. Uma com umas ideias e outra com outras. São personagens com situações pendentes para resolver. A história é essencialmente as suas lutas para resolverem os seus fantasmas.
A premissa do livro é excelente. Mas é um livro muito mediano. A meu ver a autora dispersou bastante da ideia central. As personagens principais para mim não foram empáticas o suficiente para ficar a gostar delas. A escrita nem é boa nem má. De forma geral acho que este livro tinha tudo para ler excelente mas a autora não soube lidar bem com a história que foi criando.
hweezbooks's review
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
4.0
Lea Kirino is a “lifer”: tested to have superior genes which are further enhanced with medtech, low cortisol, rest and a Nutripak diet.
She’s more than a hundred years old.
Until she thinks she sees her estranged, anti-lifer father on the streets one day. She steps distractedly onto the road and is mistaken for having attempted suicide, and put on observation.
Events lead to her discovering the Suicide Club, lifers who “hold their chins up in defiance” of years of “enforced living”.
“Something has to change. In being robbed of our deaths, we are robbed of our lives.”
“…she felt, deep within her, the violence of what it meant to live forever.”
This was a dystopian tale well worth reading, triggering questions about humanity’s constant pursuit for longevity, if not immortality.
Rachel Heng writes beautifully, and I’ve made sure to read this first work before moving on to her new title of acclaim, The Great Reclamation.
She’s more than a hundred years old.
Until she thinks she sees her estranged, anti-lifer father on the streets one day. She steps distractedly onto the road and is mistaken for having attempted suicide, and put on observation.
Events lead to her discovering the Suicide Club, lifers who “hold their chins up in defiance” of years of “enforced living”.
“Something has to change. In being robbed of our deaths, we are robbed of our lives.”
“…she felt, deep within her, the violence of what it meant to live forever.”
This was a dystopian tale well worth reading, triggering questions about humanity’s constant pursuit for longevity, if not immortality.
Rachel Heng writes beautifully, and I’ve made sure to read this first work before moving on to her new title of acclaim, The Great Reclamation.
abookwormwithwine's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.0
I spent the longest time considering Suicide Club by Rachel Heng to be a young adult novel, but now that I've read it, I see that it is, in fact, adult fiction and dystopian no less! I had no idea what to expect with this one and despite the very unique writing style, I ended up really enjoying it and the story didn't go completely over my head as most speculative fiction tends to do. While Lea is the main focus of the synopsis, she is not the only viewpoint in the book, and I did tend to get confused at times about whose POV I was in. This could be down to the audiobook only having one narrator, but it definitely would have been helpful to have labeled chapters as well.
As with a handful of John Marrs books I have recently read, the storyline in Suicide Club doesn't seem completely implausible, and there are some things that I could see happening in a REAL future world at the rate we as a population are progressing. Besides that, however, this is also a story about family and there were parts that were pretty sad and emotional. This is also on the darker side of things, but I liked the way it ended, and it was short but packs a wallop. While I wouldn't say the audio blew me away, I did enjoy listening to it and I thought Gwendoline Yeo made for a great narrator, especially as Lea. I would say it might be better to read this one, so you can really focus, but if you like dystopian worlds that don't seem completely unimaginable, I would recommend giving Suicide Club a chance.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
As with a handful of John Marrs books I have recently read, the storyline in Suicide Club doesn't seem completely implausible, and there are some things that I could see happening in a REAL future world at the rate we as a population are progressing. Besides that, however, this is also a story about family and there were parts that were pretty sad and emotional. This is also on the darker side of things, but I liked the way it ended, and it was short but packs a wallop. While I wouldn't say the audio blew me away, I did enjoy listening to it and I thought Gwendoline Yeo made for a great narrator, especially as Lea. I would say it might be better to read this one, so you can really focus, but if you like dystopian worlds that don't seem completely unimaginable, I would recommend giving Suicide Club a chance.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
maryleong's review
4.0
This book made me bawl like a baby. I'd already been reflecting on my own familial relationships, and Lea's journey of reconciliation with her father, Kaito, hit *hard*. Wrapped in a futuristic world where immortality is becoming the norm, this novel explores what it means to be alive, and what it means to live.
ari76's review
3.0
I'd actually give this book a 2.5 rather than 3, but I rounded up because the premise was fascinating, the writing was generally solid and during the the first half of the book I barely put it down to brush my teeth. The trouble came as more exposition about Lea's past was revealed without the simultaneous exposition of various aspects of this "life-loving" society. First off, my favorite character was undoubtedly Lea's father because of his background and honestly, understandable reactions to these rapid shifts in society. The main-ish character Lea did at times strike me as immature given her 100-year lifespan, but I feel she still was written with nuance and a backstory that intrigued me more as a reader (especially the violent elements) even if it wasn't completely sensical. Meanwhile, the secondary main-ish character Anja had more dimensions/depth and her mother's experience exemplified the fundamental flaws of Hong's super-health oriented society. I liked reading about her experiences, but think her point of view could've been a separate book or at the very least more completely represented. Overall, I thought both of their characterizations, certain events in the plot and overall descriptions of the society lacked the fullness that would make the ending and therefore the book, make the most sense. For example,
Despite my feelings about the book's lack of execution, I think Rachel Heng is an engaging author whose work I want to continue reading. She definitely has the imagination and ability to make a product that keeps your brain stimulated, so I'm confident with time her work will only get better.
Spoiler
the all-knowing characterization associated with the Ministry fell flat when Lea was able to actively engage with her "anti-sanct" father multiple times over months without any further action or intervention from her "observers". I enjoyed Lea's memories of growing up as a family with her non-lifer brother Samuel, father and mother but felt they were not always presented in a way that aligned with the ongoing plot. I found myself also frustrated by the lack of exposition about the human organ market, mostly because Lea's job was an organ trader and I wasn't sure how that fit into the narrative of a super-tech oriented society where machines could generate SmartBlood and other inorganic body mechanisms. I had more concerns, but these are the ones the come to mind now.Despite my feelings about the book's lack of execution, I think Rachel Heng is an engaging author whose work I want to continue reading. She definitely has the imagination and ability to make a product that keeps your brain stimulated, so I'm confident with time her work will only get better.