cdeane61's review against another edition
4.0
Started out reading this and enjoying it, but switched over to the audio book.
I think I got more out of the audio version than I was getting on my own. Some things I would have skimmed over (government forms), some were just more effective read out loud.
Lovely use of language in this book, almost musical at times.
Thoroughly enjoyed it.
I think I got more out of the audio version than I was getting on my own. Some things I would have skimmed over (government forms), some were just more effective read out loud.
Lovely use of language in this book, almost musical at times.
Thoroughly enjoyed it.
toreypickard's review against another edition
2.0
I had high hopes for this book. Dystopian future, a charismatic cult leader, a gorgeous cover, what’s not to love? Early on, I was taken in by the beautiful prose and really thought this one was going to be spectacular. But the thin plot never really developed, and the richly descriptive writing started to just feel heavy and pretentious. Without a captivating story to carry it, I felt like I was being drug through the rest of this depressing book by vivid imagery alone. By the end, all I really found myself craving was a giant glass of water and some juicy oranges, not more of the story.
2021 Challenge Prompts:
Read With Me Book Club #13 - A book with a color in the title
Popsugar Reading Challenge #6 - A book with a gem, mineral, or rock in the title
The 52 Book Club #49 - A flavor in the title
Book Hoarder Challenge #15 - Favorite color (yellow) on the cover
2021 Challenge Prompts:
Read With Me Book Club #13 - A book with a color in the title
Popsugar Reading Challenge #6 - A book with a gem, mineral, or rock in the title
The 52 Book Club #49 - A flavor in the title
Book Hoarder Challenge #15 - Favorite color (yellow) on the cover
georgina_bawden's review against another edition
DNF. I couldn't get into this and I had a sense it was going to get very dark and upsetting and I just... Wasn't in the mood? And I was a bit concerned it would be sexually violent and I don't enjoy reading things like that. I need a content warning! Anyway for various reasons this one is going to go to the charity shop. I have her short stories and intend to give those a go instead.
outtheroad's review
1.0
I'm afraid to be too mean because I have an irrational fear that authors will read any public review I write and I will make them sad. So I guess if you wrote this book stop reading here.
Good golly I did not like this book. Between pretentious writing, overuse of repetition (especially tedious when in audiobook form), unlikeable characters, and clunky exposition, I would not have finished this book if it wasn't for a book club I have promised myself I will continue attending.
Good golly I did not like this book. Between pretentious writing, overuse of repetition (especially tedious when in audiobook form), unlikeable characters, and clunky exposition, I would not have finished this book if it wasn't for a book club I have promised myself I will continue attending.
mysta's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
2.5
hooksforeverything's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
sparklyodin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jessicapc's review against another edition
1.0
DNF-10%
I will have to read a paper version of this, I can no longer take any more second of the audiobook narrator butchering Luz's name. She is explicitly of latinx descent. Her name means "light" - obviously a clever play on words from the writer who named her other main character Ray.
The publisher did Claire Vaye Watkins dirty with this narrator. It is a shame.
I will have to read a paper version of this, I can no longer take any more second of the audiobook narrator butchering Luz's name. She is explicitly of latinx descent. Her name means "light" - obviously a clever play on words from the writer who named her other main character Ray.
The publisher did Claire Vaye Watkins dirty with this narrator. It is a shame.
abrswf's review against another edition
4.0
There are a lot of things to like about this post apocalyptic vision of the western United States after catastrophic climate change events have caused devastating drought and high speed desertification. It is beautifully written, although much of the imagery is repulsive. The underlying story is surprising and mostly interesting, if dark. And the vision of what can/will happen if we don't stop exhausting all our water and destroying our environment is truly terrifying, at a granular level. But yet I never felt fully engaged or engrossed. Partly that is because this book is overwritten. For example, it spends a chapter on a mock questionnaire. There are endless recitations of place names, for endless paragraphs. None of these do much to serve the plot or the story. Second, the plot itself has obvious holes, which you will spot for yourself as you read them, so there was also some underthinking of the basic story. And third, the ending makes little or no sense, as you will see when you get there. One star off for these flaws in a book which is a strong and interesting first entry for this writer.