emilygaynier's review
2.0
This is a very strange book. It had stuff that I really enjoyed and at one moment I even cried, but it is 100% not what I expected.
Don't go into this book thinking it's about surviving on the dark side of a planet. It's more about human politics on this new planet.
Read Infinity and Beyond Challenge: Crew Quarters - Pick a story involving a hive mind
Don't go into this book thinking it's about surviving on the dark side of a planet. It's more about human politics on this new planet.
Read Infinity and Beyond Challenge: Crew Quarters - Pick a story involving a hive mind
cowardlycod's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-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
5.0
I can see why some people wouldn't like it but wow am I crying at finishing it right now.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror
rharriskay's review
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
slow-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
Opinions on this work tend to run the full gambit of bad to okay to fantastic. I find my opinion leaning more towards positive.
This sci-fi novel definitely follows in the tradition of Le Guin (the planet the plot takes place on is even called January, a clear reference to Left Hand of Darkness's December) as it explores a different element of humanity and the possibility of growing beyond what we perceive humanity to be. From an overly ordered and rigid society to one without firm rules, Anders tackles how humans would adapt to a world without a clear way to tell time. This book also has one of the more interesting takes on hive minds that I've seen, wherein the hive mind is both unifying, but individuality exists within to a degree. It was super interesting and a cool take.
While half the plot is an exploration of this world, the other is the romance, or romances, that bind the characters together. This part was well written in parts, but it was admittedly more coming-of-age, a demographic I am no longer a part of, so it never affected me emotionally. I think this ties in to a bigger prose issue, wherein the world was well described, the pacing slow but interesting, and the characters well understood but I never was affected deeply by the emotional heights of the novel. Something felt slightly detached, and that may or may not have been intentional given the framing device of the story, but it did affect my reading experience.
The novel also has a contentious ending, though it's one that I loved. I won't give too much away, but I personally don't care for open endings, and the novel concluded at the perfect end to a character's emotional and character development, so it seemed thematically fitting. Besides, the framing device offers some clues to how it all shakes out anyway.
Overall, an interesting science fiction work that is worth reading for a novel take on human society and adaptation, but one with a few caveats. When put up against A Memory Called Empire, it's not too surprising this work lost out on the Hugo, but it is still worth your time.
This sci-fi novel definitely follows in the tradition of Le Guin (the planet the plot takes place on is even called January, a clear reference to Left Hand of Darkness's December) as it explores a different element of humanity and the possibility of growing beyond what we perceive humanity to be. From an overly ordered and rigid society to one without firm rules, Anders tackles how humans would adapt to a world without a clear way to tell time. This book also has one of the more interesting takes on hive minds that I've seen, wherein the hive mind is both unifying, but individuality exists within to a degree. It was super interesting and a cool take.
While half the plot is an exploration of this world, the other is the romance, or romances, that bind the characters together. This part was well written in parts, but it was admittedly more coming-of-age, a demographic I am no longer a part of, so it never affected me emotionally. I think this ties in to a bigger prose issue, wherein the world was well described, the pacing slow but interesting, and the characters well understood but I never was affected deeply by the emotional heights of the novel. Something felt slightly detached, and that may or may not have been intentional given the framing device of the story, but it did affect my reading experience.
The novel also has a contentious ending, though it's one that I loved. I won't give too much away, but I personally don't care for open endings, and the novel concluded at the perfect end to a character's emotional and character development, so it seemed thematically fitting. Besides, the framing device offers some clues to how it all shakes out anyway.
Overall, an interesting science fiction work that is worth reading for a novel take on human society and adaptation, but one with a few caveats. When put up against A Memory Called Empire, it's not too surprising this work lost out on the Hugo, but it is still worth your time.
bean40's review
5.0
Every now and then I read a book that I think is very underrated on Goodreads. This is one of those. It’s a very unique novel. A little strange but very interesting. I read it during my breaks at work and kept it in my desk and this actually made me look forward to going to work everyday.
rshelley's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
5.0
vasco's review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
deb_entwistle's review against another edition
Ran out of time on library loan and wasnt feeling it enough to put another hold on
audtree's review
3.0
honestly a little Disappointed with this book! was really excited with the concept of this future city and new society, but i was expecting more? the book tried to do so much with being on a new planet and going against a dystopian society and combatting climate change and also aliens? it went in too many directions but fell quite flat , it Tried to to a lot,, but the book just didn’t follow through. also the romance? we were absolutely baited with a romance that never happened and that was a bit frustrating. still! an interesting read, but not quite fully developed