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kappafrog's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-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? N/A
4.5
What a wonderful book. I loved the slow pace of Ofelia finally getting the chance to come into her own. I loved the People and their society. . On the one hand, this was a classic first contact story in the vein of the best Star Trek. On the other hand, it was totally unique in its main character, and that shaped the book into something unique too.
The colony was pretty dystopian with such strong conservative values that it led to murder. It could have been interesting to see that explored a bit more, but actually, it was conveyed pretty well by the conditioning we saw Ofelia breaking out of.
This book will stay with me for a long time!
The colony was pretty dystopian with such strong conservative values that it led to murder. It could have been interesting to see that explored a bit more, but actually, it was conveyed pretty well by the conditioning we saw Ofelia breaking out of.
This book will stay with me for a long time!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Ableism, Child death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, and Deportation
Minor: Body shaming, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Dementia, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcohol, War, and Pandemic/Epidemic
jhbandcats's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I wish I could remember how I first heard of this book because I loved it and want more suggestions from the same source. It’s warm and full of love for a found family, plus anger and resentment at always being belittled and ignored. There’s also an appreciation for a quiet life of solitude without loneliness.
This is not a complex tale with lots of ins and outs. It’s very simple and straightforward, and it’s so satisfying. It was fun reading of an elderly woman besting the young[er] scientists who think they’re so much smarter than she is. And the development of the friendship and respect between the woman Ofelia and the native creatures is written with such care. It’s clear the author loves her characters.
It was especially enjoyable to read a book with a happy ending. I read of too much misery in the news. This was a welcome break.
This is not a complex tale with lots of ins and outs. It’s very simple and straightforward, and it’s so satisfying. It was fun reading of an elderly woman besting the young[er] scientists who think they’re so much smarter than she is. And the development of the friendship and respect between the woman Ofelia and the native creatures is written with such care. It’s clear the author loves her characters.
It was especially enjoyable to read a book with a happy ending. I read of too much misery in the news. This was a welcome break.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
feralbookwife's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.75
Scifi with a grumpy, old woman protagonist? Yes please! A story about freedom, community, and respect. Highly recommend. Especially if you enjoyed Doctor Who when it celebrated the ordinary human because every human is extraordinary.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Murder, and Colonisation
ketreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
I've had this on my goodreads TBR for so long that I don't even remember putting it there.
When I one day noticed a few people (in a reading discord I'm in) were going to buddy read it, I finally thought it was my time to read this bad boy!
AND BOY, SHOULD I HAVE GOTTEN TO IT SOONER.
Spoiler free:
Elizabeth Moon gives us such an easy character to love in Ofelia. A woman collonist who's been living on the planet the book takes place on for over 40 years. Because of her age, Ofelia is seen as useless by those surroundings here. When one day the collony is decided as a failure by cooperation who owns the collonist/collony, they decide to relocate for better profits. At this point, Ofelia decides she doesn't want to leave.
What transpires was such a joy to read. Watching our main character navigate her way through the story and it's obsticles. Without spoilers, this book manages to skirt into so many different subgenres in such a natural way. Due to me not having read the blurb, I was constantly on my toes with every new mystery and story-beat.
I'm in LOVE with the way Moon manages to capture the thoughts and feelings of her older MC and the typical challenges and experiences this woman has when confronted with hardship. Her perseverance and kindness are her key attributes that make her the perfect MC for this story.
I would highly recommend this to anyone even mildly into sci-fi.
Pretty much everyone in our buddy read loved this, and I'm so glad I got to finally read it!
When I one day noticed a few people (in a reading discord I'm in) were going to buddy read it, I finally thought it was my time to read this bad boy!
AND BOY, SHOULD I HAVE GOTTEN TO IT SOONER.
Spoiler free:
Elizabeth Moon gives us such an easy character to love in Ofelia. A woman collonist who's been living on the planet the book takes place on for over 40 years. Because of her age, Ofelia is seen as useless by those surroundings here. When one day the collony is decided as a failure by cooperation who owns the collonist/collony, they decide to relocate for better profits. At this point, Ofelia decides she doesn't want to leave.
What transpires was such a joy to read. Watching our main character navigate her way through the story and it's obsticles. Without spoilers, this book manages to skirt into so many different subgenres in such a natural way. Due to me not having read the blurb, I was constantly on my toes with every new mystery and story-beat.
I'm in LOVE with the way Moon manages to capture the thoughts and feelings of her older MC and the typical challenges and experiences this woman has when confronted with hardship. Her perseverance and kindness are her key attributes that make her the perfect MC for this story.
I would highly recommend this to anyone even mildly into sci-fi.
Pretty much everyone in our buddy read loved this, and I'm so glad I got to finally read it!
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse
tenar's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse and Rape