lazygal's review against another edition
4.0
Great dystopian fiction about a floating world, populated with refugees from all over and ruled by a combination of landlords and the equivalent of mob bosses, with an overlay of AI tech. While there are a few too many POVs for my taste, each voice is from a different enough sector of this society that it's not that irritating. Readers of Pullman may think that the polar bear is borrowed from him, but I think it's more a reflection of the climate change that flooded most of the known world. Even that - the climate change - is muted in service of the story about the characters and their lives, how they intertwine and move forward (there's a lovely revenge plot I'll dangle but not spoil).
eARC provided by publisher.
eARC provided by publisher.
xtralohrdinary's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
tiranamisu's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
auntblh's review against another edition
I'm not going to finish this one. I put it down at page 75 and can't bring myself to pick it back up again to read about 300 more pages. I can't put my finger on it exactly but I just couldn't get into it.
brianreadsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Blackfish City had me wondering what would happen next from start to finish. Nothing about it was obvious and up to the end I was shocked and surprised. It was a fantastically original story weaving in cultural components from peoples around the world and strong themes highlighting refugees and wealth inequality taken to the extreme.
This book also meant a lot to me personally. It’s awesome to read a story that authentically and strongly represents LGBT characters without being *about* that as the defining narrative. Miller managed to find the perfect balance, including relationships between characters and their sexuality and gender proudly as important parts of advancing the story, without resorting to it being the only facet defining their lives.
I listened to the audiobook version and Vikas Adam who did a pretty champion job of distinctly voicing about 15 primary characters. I liked it so much I’m buying the hardback because I love the US cover design and I want to keep it for future.
This book also meant a lot to me personally. It’s awesome to read a story that authentically and strongly represents LGBT characters without being *about* that as the defining narrative. Miller managed to find the perfect balance, including relationships between characters and their sexuality and gender proudly as important parts of advancing the story, without resorting to it being the only facet defining their lives.
I listened to the audiobook version and Vikas Adam who did a pretty champion job of distinctly voicing about 15 primary characters. I liked it so much I’m buying the hardback because I love the US cover design and I want to keep it for future.
keribchilders's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 rounded up - very interesting storyline, a lot of moving parts that eventually tie in together, a lot of representation
its_kievan's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A classic politically-conscious dystopian science fiction. The characters are fairly compelling, and the setting is brilliant, but the actual story comes together a little too neatly.
ellagriffin_'s review against another edition
4.0
A floating city in the Arctic circle. A polar bear linked to a human. AI viruses. Wet.
Masterful worldbuilding, this book is dripping with its fictional city. Qaanaaq is vivid. Intelligently interwoven characters. A gripping plot. A harrowing examination of a possible post climate future. Although the dialogue and characters’ thinking was a little simple in comparison to the complex global concepts, I still thoroughly enjoyed this work.
Masterful worldbuilding, this book is dripping with its fictional city. Qaanaaq is vivid. Intelligently interwoven characters. A gripping plot. A harrowing examination of a possible post climate future. Although the dialogue and characters’ thinking was a little simple in comparison to the complex global concepts, I still thoroughly enjoyed this work.
openmypages's review against another edition
3.0
{3.5 stars}
"Stories are where we find ourselves, where we find the others who are like us. Gather enough stories and soon you're not alone; you are an army."
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Ok, you're gonna have to stay with me for a second on this review - this is one of those unusual dystopian books I was obsessed with before I got distracted by all the shiny things on bookstagram. These gems don't get as much press as they should, they are unique and creative and hold such beautiful messages about humanity. I'm so glad I came across it while browsing in an airport bookstore.
Blackfish City takes place in a floating city in the Arctic that is governed by AI. On the surface, the city is self sustaining but there are issues beginning to creep in as with any grouping of humans. We follow several different residents as the city is thrown into turmoil by the arrival of a woman riding an orca, she is one of the last humans nano-bonded to an animal and the city is concerned. As we follow each of these individuals we learn more about their connection and the possible cure to a devastating disease plaguing the residents of the city.
This story is clever and unique. I must have highlighted dozens of beautiful quotes about what it is to be human. The contrast of the AI and animals bonded to humans really probed the idea of what it is to be human and how easily that definition is misused and misunderstood.
If you're looking for a book that is unlike any other you've ever read, then look no further.
"Stories are where we find ourselves, where we find the others who are like us. Gather enough stories and soon you're not alone; you are an army."
--------------------------------
Ok, you're gonna have to stay with me for a second on this review - this is one of those unusual dystopian books I was obsessed with before I got distracted by all the shiny things on bookstagram. These gems don't get as much press as they should, they are unique and creative and hold such beautiful messages about humanity. I'm so glad I came across it while browsing in an airport bookstore.
Blackfish City takes place in a floating city in the Arctic that is governed by AI. On the surface, the city is self sustaining but there are issues beginning to creep in as with any grouping of humans. We follow several different residents as the city is thrown into turmoil by the arrival of a woman riding an orca, she is one of the last humans nano-bonded to an animal and the city is concerned. As we follow each of these individuals we learn more about their connection and the possible cure to a devastating disease plaguing the residents of the city.
This story is clever and unique. I must have highlighted dozens of beautiful quotes about what it is to be human. The contrast of the AI and animals bonded to humans really probed the idea of what it is to be human and how easily that definition is misused and misunderstood.
If you're looking for a book that is unlike any other you've ever read, then look no further.