browncharlotte18's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
decafplease's review against another edition
4.0
I've seen this shelved as dystopian (dustpan!) and I still don't understand why. A dystopia is a perverted version of utopia. It can be a post-apocalyptic world but it is not one all the time. Also, just because the story is set in the future where it is unusually grim and bleak, it does not automatically make it a dystopian novel. A dystopia should be driven by a social/ideological perversion or flaw. A-n-y-w-a-y-. The novel was rather entertaining, nonetheless.
momankara's review against another edition
4.0
I read The Water Knife by this author a long time ago and decided to give this a try. Once again, he very quickly constructs a futuristic world that makes sense given our current state and which provides stressors and motivations for the main characters. Nailer is trying to survive in this world while being a good person. It is a pleasure to read about his internal struggles, how he balances money against loyalty and family against chosen family. There are action sequences, but that is not the point of this book. There is quite a bit of gearhead stuff, which I also enjoy but others might find off-putting.
mkhaas29's review against another edition
3.0
It was just ok. The plot was interesting and different, but I always felt like I was missing something- whether it was descriptions, backstory, or explanations, it was never enough. The story left a lot of holes to be filled on your own, but unfortunately it was things that needed to be explained, like where the half-men came from, why they exist, what is the history of the lands they live in, etc. Who knows, maybe that will come in the next. However, overall, I was underwhelmed.
willowbiblio's review against another edition
4.0
Couldn't put this one down. Absolutely enthralling!
poorlenore's review against another edition
3.0
i enjoyed this book but it did take me a while to get into it. intriguing concept
bak8382's review against another edition
4.0
In the distant future Nailer ekes out a living as a ship breaker, stripping washed up ships of their valuable metal. He won't be able to do the work forever, and he dreads having to go home to his drunk father every night. One day he discovers a newly crashed ship, and instead of stripping it for all it's worth he rescues the lone survivor, and his life is changed forever.
Bacigalupi builds a fascinating world where a few people control the wealth and technology while almost everyone else lives in dire poverty. Nailer is a complex character who's faced with difficult choices as he enters a world he's never experienced before. It's a quick read with a resolved ending that will still leave readers wanting more.
Bacigalupi builds a fascinating world where a few people control the wealth and technology while almost everyone else lives in dire poverty. Nailer is a complex character who's faced with difficult choices as he enters a world he's never experienced before. It's a quick read with a resolved ending that will still leave readers wanting more.
skylar2's review against another edition
5.0
Bacigalupi's story combines excellent narrative and believable characters, set in a vivid speculative future that somehow doesn't seem that speculative at all, as much as one might wish it would remain so. I'm definitely looking forward to reading Drowned Cities!
pineconebiscuit's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0