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abookwormspov's review
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
3.75
This book is conceptually amazing, and I wanted to enjoy it overall more than I did. I found the story a bit hard to follow, especially in keeping the timeline straight and understanding the sci-fi elements, and I found the narration to be a bit inconsistent in style between the different character point of views. But did I really like that it was from multiple points of view even though I wasn’t expecting that; I particularly enjoyed Margarita’s chapters! Ultimately, I think that this just suffers in that it shouldn't have been a novella. It excels in concept and writing style, but there is too much story and not enough pages! I really do look forward to reading more of the authors work in the future though!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, and War
bookishmillennial's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
This is a Taínofuturistic speculative/dystopian fiction story about colonized Puerto Rico, which has now been colonized by China. The novella shares multiple perspectives of folks who are navigating the aftermath of genocide, but continue to rebuild community and choose to take care of each other amidst their grief, loss, and anger.
I am not from Puerto Rico, nor have I ever been there, but I often asked myself as I read this, 'Is this even fiction?' and that's how you know an author has succeeded in writing speculative/science fiction, because the world they've created is not far from the current state of the world. The themes of reclaiming land and joining resistance groups to rise up against colonization are painted so powerfully, and I really enjoyed Conde's writing. I do think it could have benefited from being novel-length, but it still packs a punch as a novella!
I loved the inclusion of sign language, having a Deaf character, and the array of identities included in this story. I will absolutely read more from Conde in the future, and I would love more novellas or stories from this world too!
This is a Taínofuturistic speculative/dystopian fiction story about colonized Puerto Rico, which has now been colonized by China. The novella shares multiple perspectives of folks who are navigating the aftermath of genocide, but continue to rebuild community and choose to take care of each other amidst their grief, loss, and anger.
I am not from Puerto Rico, nor have I ever been there, but I often asked myself as I read this, 'Is this even fiction?' and that's how you know an author has succeeded in writing speculative/science fiction, because the world they've created is not far from the current state of the world. The themes of reclaiming land and joining resistance groups to rise up against colonization are painted so powerfully, and I really enjoyed Conde's writing. I do think it could have benefited from being novel-length, but it still packs a punch as a novella!
I loved the inclusion of sign language, having a Deaf character, and the array of identities included in this story. I will absolutely read more from Conde in the future, and I would love more novellas or stories from this world too!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Colonisation
Moderate: Death, Genocide, Transphobia, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and War
almostqualified's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Colonisation
Moderate: Genocide, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Minor: Transphobia
meshell's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
E. G. Condé' has written such a powerful novella of resilience and grace. Anchored around several main characters that feel very much alive - Vero (a trans man) and Dona Margarita (an elder), but also many of the supporting characters as well. I appreciated the different methods of survival and revolution explored in this book. Both the full on fight and battle to the more subtle community of care.
There is also thoughtful and respectful Deaf representation - Dagüao - being an active and included member of the revolution and community, in both action and technical expertise,
I was unfamiliar with Taino Arawak, Yucatec Maya languages, and got to encounter many in this text. Most were translated contextually, or within the text in someway, but there is also a helpful glossary at the back of words that might be unfamiliar. I found the language use important and intentional - and it only slightly slowed my pace.
There is so much love, and compassion within this book, but also anger, grief, and loss - some big topics - challenging re-colonization by foreign powers, the impacts of the climate crisis, the questionable intentions and priorities of aid efforts, the after effects of dictatorships, and collective resistance. I left feeling both energized, inspired, and also curious about the history of the areas mentioned.
The beautiful cover by Paulina Niño (yes I do occasionally judge books by their cover), curiosity about Tainofuturism, and a precedent of good instincts of the publisher, Stelliform Press made me pick this book up, and I'm glad I did.
I am grateful to netgalley and the publisher for an e-ARC
There is also thoughtful and respectful Deaf representation - Dagüao - being an active and included member of the revolution and community, in both action and technical expertise,
I was unfamiliar with Taino Arawak, Yucatec Maya languages, and got to encounter many in this text. Most were translated contextually, or within the text in someway, but there is also a helpful glossary at the back of words that might be unfamiliar. I found the language use important and intentional - and it only slightly slowed my pace.
There is so much love, and compassion within this book, but also anger, grief, and loss - some big topics - challenging re-colonization by foreign powers, the impacts of the climate crisis, the questionable intentions and priorities of aid efforts, the after effects of dictatorships, and collective resistance. I left feeling both energized, inspired, and also curious about the history of the areas mentioned.
The beautiful cover by Paulina Niño (yes I do occasionally judge books by their cover), curiosity about Tainofuturism, and a precedent of good instincts of the publisher, Stelliform Press made me pick this book up, and I'm glad I did.
I am grateful to netgalley and the publisher for an e-ARC
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Colonisation
Minor: Death, Transphobia, Murder, War, and Pandemic/Epidemic
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