renegadecosmos's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
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? No
3.25
audreyliz964's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars for this one. It was really hard to get into at the beginning, mostly because I was a bit lost. I didn't quite understand everything going on at the beginning, because the world building wasn't very clear or easy to understand at first. After a while, I had a firm grasp on the world and how it worked, and after that, it was easy to get pulled in by the story. I would say after about halfway, I had a hard time putting it down. In the end, I ended up with a vivid picture of this world and found it quite interesting.
The characters are diverse and intriguing. This is definitely a character-driven novel. It's not action-packed, and though there is intrigue, it's not a straight-up mystery either. It's the characters and their personal struggles and relationships that drive the plot forward rather than a mystery or outside conflict (though there are many). The writing style is very poetic, and in that way it's quite unique and different from what I usually read.
While I was reading this, it actually reminded me a lot of another floating city book I read: China Mieville's The Scar. Other than the setting, The Scar also has a similar writing style, though the world building in that book was a bit better.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was slow, but character-driven novels usually are. I am left with a positive feeling about this book after reading it, but I am just not blown away by it.
The characters are diverse and intriguing. This is definitely a character-driven novel. It's not action-packed, and though there is intrigue, it's not a straight-up mystery either. It's the characters and their personal struggles and relationships that drive the plot forward rather than a mystery or outside conflict (though there are many). The writing style is very poetic, and in that way it's quite unique and different from what I usually read.
While I was reading this, it actually reminded me a lot of another floating city book I read: China Mieville's The Scar. Other than the setting, The Scar also has a similar writing style, though the world building in that book was a bit better.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was slow, but character-driven novels usually are. I am left with a positive feeling about this book after reading it, but I am just not blown away by it.
riverbarret's review against another edition
3.0
Man, the first half had me totally convinced this was going to be a new favorite book, but alas.
There are a few things I liked, of course. The plot in this book is super character-driven, which is not usually something I gravitate towards. However, the characters were very compelling, and I really liked how the plot followed their reactions and personalities. I gelled with Miller's writing style, too. Lots of evocative descriptions and he has this way of giving expositional information that is actually compelling. Also, the queer/gender non-conforming representation was freaking awesome.
I had issues, though like and the which I found weird. I also feel like the second half of the book dragged a bit and the climax came out of nowhere. And I know blocking out the spoilers doesn't help anyone understand why I had issues, but whatever.
I still think this is a good book, and I am glad I picked it up. Thanks to my friend, Madison, for recommending it.
I look forward to reading more from this author.
There are a few things I liked, of course. The plot in this book is super character-driven, which is not usually something I gravitate towards. However, the characters were very compelling, and I really liked how the plot followed their reactions and personalities. I gelled with Miller's writing style, too. Lots of evocative descriptions and he has this way of giving expositional information that is actually compelling. Also, the queer/gender non-conforming representation was freaking awesome.
I had issues, though like
Spoiler
one character being a point-of-view character to emphasize the more interesting parts of the book and then being killed off (I seriously didn't understand that)Spoiler
nano-bonding to animalsI still think this is a good book, and I am glad I picked it up. Thanks to my friend, Madison, for recommending it.
I look forward to reading more from this author.
c_morning's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
keighter's review against another edition
Did not realize this was exploring an HIV - esque disease, and I needed a Content warning.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic and Chronic illness
bookfrogglin's review against another edition
4.0
This book had its flaws, thin in places I'd have liked to know more and some of the motivations of the characters felt contrived making them feel less than they could have been, but I enjoyed reading it. As a rule if a book is good enough I lose myself and nearly miss my train stop its carried me elsewhere and done what I wanted it to. The first time I have read this author its enough for a second visit.
kajalhalwa's review against another edition
4.0
I really dug the worldbuilding, and the funny and profound ideas from the characters and narration. Included were wonderful themes and meditations on environmentalism, animal rights, vulnerability, class struggle, and solidarity.
I felt the main action unfolded a bit too quickly, and some aspects could have used.a bit more fleshing out. Overall the worldbuilding and characters were quite compelling and I know I'm going to think about both of these for a long time as the author crafted these to be so very familiar.
I felt the main action unfolded a bit too quickly, and some aspects could have used.a bit more fleshing out. Overall the worldbuilding and characters were quite compelling and I know I'm going to think about both of these for a long time as the author crafted these to be so very familiar.
jessady's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
The worldbuilding was very interesting and fun to read.
quartofgoats's review against another edition
3.0
SUCH a pain to get through the beginning but it finally got good and then it really could have ended 50 pages earlier.