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ristretto's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.5
glittryvirgo's review against another edition
3.0
although i found the book to be a bit slow at times, it is completely worth reading. the way the author writes kept me intrigued and wanting more, even after the book was over!
thebrokedown's review against another edition
4.0
I don't know what it says about me that my favorite genre is the post-apocalyptic tale, but there it is. However, I very much dislike the all-too common tales where our hero is military and therefore apparently preternaturally prepared for when the SHTF, or where most of the plot is about men forming militaristic groups of "goodies" and "baddies" (the badness of the baddies inevitably immediately indicated by collecting and raping women), ESPECIALLY when the flavor of disaster is militaristic in the first place. These are legion and a particular sort of masculine wish-fulfillment I have had entirely enough of to last me until the literal end of time.
So for me, the more literary apocalypses of your Dogstars and Station Elevens, please. At the same time, I don't shrink from graphic depictions or utter dispair--The Stand and The Road are both books I admire and re-read.
Panther In The Hive is a new favorite of mine in the PA genre. I enjoyed having a young woman as a hero, with the added bonus that she's a POC. The world-building of the near-future setting is strong, the details of which seem less ridiculous today than they might have even a mere year ago. There is a little too much coincidence driving the plot, but otherwise, this is not a lazy book. It tackles some big issues--race, class, consumerism--and still has snappy action scenes and relatable characters. Panther In The Hive sits comfortably on my virtual post-apocalyptic shelf with the better-known classics of the genre.
So for me, the more literary apocalypses of your Dogstars and Station Elevens, please. At the same time, I don't shrink from graphic depictions or utter dispair--The Stand and The Road are both books I admire and re-read.
Panther In The Hive is a new favorite of mine in the PA genre. I enjoyed having a young woman as a hero, with the added bonus that she's a POC. The world-building of the near-future setting is strong, the details of which seem less ridiculous today than they might have even a mere year ago. There is a little too much coincidence driving the plot, but otherwise, this is not a lazy book. It tackles some big issues--race, class, consumerism--and still has snappy action scenes and relatable characters. Panther In The Hive sits comfortably on my virtual post-apocalyptic shelf with the better-known classics of the genre.
blondegirlrachael's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Love the concept, absolutely hated the execution here.
razz_otter's review against another edition
3.0
In a world where a single corporation owns all healthcare, only those who can pay the equivalent of a trip to the moon or who work for the government are able to access even basic care. The health cards read 'The Few' and serve as status symbols that are also able to get you access to a chip implant that keeps your body healthy while 'the many' are left to die. That is, until everyone with a chip becomes a cannibal eating those who weren't "lucky" enough to receive the chip. The story follows Tasha, a 21 year old fashionista struggling to find her place after the death of her parents, through a realistic future Chicago as she struggles to survive.
A bit slow to start, the story picks up about a third of the way in and doesn't slow down. The world building is amazing and realistic - pulling pieces of today's society out to logical and terrifying conclusions. It weaves together technological changes, government/corporate alliances, climate change, and the systemic oppression of communities. I blew through this book in less than 24 hours, and the world building is what grabbed me. The characters were predictable, with attempts to make them multi-faceted and complex falling flat. The concept of becoming a fashionista to find your place in the world after trauma, then discovering that's what you've been doing all along is an interesting and honest storyline... but it's half done and too obvious that's what she's going for.
A bit slow to start, the story picks up about a third of the way in and doesn't slow down. The world building is amazing and realistic - pulling pieces of today's society out to logical and terrifying conclusions. It weaves together technological changes, government/corporate alliances, climate change, and the systemic oppression of communities. I blew through this book in less than 24 hours, and the world building is what grabbed me. The characters were predictable, with attempts to make them multi-faceted and complex falling flat. The concept of becoming a fashionista to find your place in the world after trauma, then discovering that's what you've been doing all along is an interesting and honest storyline... but it's half done and too obvious that's what she's going for.
laurendubs's review against another edition
4.0
Oh shoot! A zombie invasion brought on by a lack of healthcare?? Timely as f***. 10 futuristic malls out of 10.
theherocomplex's review against another edition
5.0
My only issue with this book is that it ended.
Well, issue of any weight, that is. The writing is top-notch: quick, clear, and evocative, and the protagonist has a wonderful voice of her own. Tasha is such a well-drawn and sympathetic character, and even when her actions are sub-optimal, we're still rooting for her. I mean, I love all the characters, but I adored Tasha.
Cole has a deft hand with the social commentary at the heart of the book; zombie and zombie-adjacent media has been used to explore social issues for ages, but it works particularly well for this particular kind of apocalypse.
I LOVED this book. My heart pounded through all the action scenes, and then it broke (somewhat constantly), and then would go right back to pounding (because dang, does Cole know how to write fight scenes!). I didn't want to go to work (and definitely sneak-read at my desk!) because it meant not being able to read!
11/10 PLEASE READ THIS BOOK.
Well, issue of any weight, that is. The writing is top-notch: quick, clear, and evocative, and the protagonist has a wonderful voice of her own. Tasha is such a well-drawn and sympathetic character, and even when her actions are sub-optimal, we're still rooting for her. I mean, I love all the characters, but I adored Tasha.
Cole has a deft hand with the social commentary at the heart of the book; zombie and zombie-adjacent media has been used to explore social issues for ages, but it works particularly well for this particular kind of apocalypse.
I LOVED this book. My heart pounded through all the action scenes, and then it broke (somewhat constantly), and then would go right back to pounding (because dang, does Cole know how to write fight scenes!). I didn't want to go to work (and definitely sneak-read at my desk!) because it meant not being able to read!
11/10 PLEASE READ THIS BOOK.
knitterscasket's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it! Although now I can't stop thinking about what I would put in my non-Prada backpack if I had to survive a zombie apocalypse.