gtmx21's review
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Could not put it down. As someone not very familiar with sci-fi, and also due to the way the plot is lined up, a lot of it flew over my head, especially at first, but I loved the way the threads came together in the end. The beautiful writing held my attention even in the confusing parts. Will definitely reread it soon.
prophecygir1's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book is incredibly special. That being said, it's so much more than the things it's advertised at first glance; when I think of it, I don't even really think of it as sci-fi or time travel or war-centered (although those drew me in initially).
At its core it's a romance novella. It's a study of two opposing characters, the way they cross into each other's (very complicated) lives, and the impressions they leave on each other. It's about experience and learning, friendship and trust, taking risks and being vulnerable. It's visceral, lush, incredibly daring, and packed full of exquisite flavor. It amazes me that something so deliberately crafted—and it is all very deliberate—can simultaneously be so sincere and heartfelt.
The world-building is purposefully made a secondary element. There's plenty of sci-fi jargon (that will admittedly go over your head if you haven't consumed any related material before), but despite this, you really aren't meant to know that much about the worlds they inhabit. It's just enough to paint the atmosphere (and the general overarching conflict), before the scenery shifts again.
The words pack a punch. You will feel what the characters feel. It is a small book with a lot to give. I am reading it for the third time and I am still learning things. Literally I had a minor epiphany when I noticed a pattern (you will come to love and appreciate the nuggets of revelations buried throughout). Actually, I had a few. By the time I'm done actually rereading this for the 3rd time, I've counted four new epiphanies.
The book as a whole is also a love letter to words, which I love. The quote on the back of the book says it's "poetry disguised as genre fiction" and I find that pretty accurate. I also hate to call anything perfect, but this book is perfect to me.
At its core it's a romance novella. It's a study of two opposing characters, the way they cross into each other's (very complicated) lives, and the impressions they leave on each other. It's about experience and learning, friendship and trust, taking risks and being vulnerable. It's visceral, lush, incredibly daring, and packed full of exquisite flavor. It amazes me that something so deliberately crafted—and it is all very deliberate—can simultaneously be so sincere and heartfelt.
The world-building is purposefully made a secondary element. There's plenty of sci-fi jargon (that will admittedly go over your head if you haven't consumed any related material before), but despite this, you really aren't meant to know that much about the worlds they inhabit. It's just enough to paint the atmosphere (and the general overarching conflict), before the scenery shifts again.
The words pack a punch. You will feel what the characters feel. It is a small book with a lot to give. I am reading it for the third time and I am still learning things. Literally I had a minor epiphany when I noticed a pattern (you will come to love and appreciate the nuggets of revelations buried throughout). Actually, I had a few. By the time I'm done actually rereading this for the 3rd time, I've counted four new epiphanies.
The book as a whole is also a love letter to words, which I love. The quote on the back of the book says it's "poetry disguised as genre fiction" and I find that pretty accurate. I also hate to call anything perfect, but this book is perfect to me.
renee_gagne's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
vickymaldonado's review against another edition
5.0
My review is that I'm about to cry on public transport.
mariethewitch's review
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
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
4.75
this book turned me inside out.
equinevetsreadtoo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
3.0
joey777777's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
5.0
sydneyjn's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Stunning prose. I did cheat and look up the plot when I was about a quarter in, so that I could contextualize and just sit with the beautiful words.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and War
amaliewebs's review against another edition
4.0
This book was really nice to read, it's written in such a poetic style and I really liked the concept of the letters.
I will say I was so confused in terms of the world-building and couldn't really grasp a lot of those details hahaha but I loved the essence of the story, it's poetic and beautiful romance.
I will say I was so confused in terms of the world-building and couldn't really grasp a lot of those details hahaha but I loved the essence of the story, it's poetic and beautiful romance.
kuhnja's review
It was “pretty” but didn’t catch me. Ingot bored and didn’t want to pick it up anymore.