Reviews

Null States by Malka Older

weltenkreuzer's review against another edition

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4.0

Sehr gute Fortsetzung der von Infomocracy, die die Welt der Mikrodemokratie weiter ausbaut und diesmal auf "junge" Demokratien fokussiert. Politikwissenschaft im Roman-

jaipal's review against another edition

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4.0

This is the second book of the series and is a delight to read. Readers should read the first book before reading this as it continues after the first and the main characters involved in this book were introduced in the first book so the author doesn't spend too much time in re-introducing them.

Like the first book, the story is set in a non-American City (Africa, Asia and a few cities in Europe). I found this book to follow a similar plotline to the first book, something that happens at one place is part of something bigger happening elsewhere.

It all starts when an Information team is sent in to oversee the progress of null states becoming micro-democracies. This leads to the murder of a Governor, dealing with the repercussions of the election from the first book with a new government, and many more (so as not to provide spoilers).

The end of this book brings up more questions than it answers and I would love to see them answered in the next book. This series is an interesting read with a look at elections and getting correct information so that people can vote responsibly.

eastofthesunwestofthemoon's review against another edition

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2.0

2 1/2 stars maybe, but I'm not rounding up. What happened? This book is such a disappointing followup to Infomacracy, which I loved. I couldn't even stay engaged with what was going on for over half the book. I was bored. I was inundated with dull, lifeless information that I didn't need to know and wasn't interested in. It felt like the author just made a book out of all the background stuff for her world that she needs to know but that the reader doesn't need to know. Second book syndrome, maybe, but even worse than the usual second book syndrome. Because the last fifth or so of the book actually started to recapture the flavor of Infomacracy, I am rating it as OK, and maybe a little toward I liked it - I did like the ending sections. The first 2/3 of the book could have been compressed into a short story and given me just as much of what I needed to know in a far more interesting tale, in my opinion. I'll at least try the next installment, but this one was disappointing.

afiala634's review

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adventurous 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? No

4.0

quercus707's review against another edition

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4.0

The second book in the Centenel Cycle is even better than the first. And it's that rare thing, a modern Utopia, rather than a dystopia. It has it all - strong female characters, mostly nonwhite, set in diverse places (mostly Asia & Africa), the US is nothing but a distant memory. I really appreciate this series and look forward to the next book.

lauralauralaura's review

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4.0

This series really grew on me; this installment was my favorite, because I most enjoyed the characters and relationships at the center of it. I like the philosophical project in these books, of trying to figure out how you can have democracy that truly serves everyone while grappling with the reality that power corrupts infinitely. 

jonathan_lee_b's review

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mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Null States is using a magnifying glass when cooking.

sillypunk's review against another edition

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5.0

Such a brilliant read. As good as the first, if not more well crafted: https://blogendorff.com/2017/11/14/book-review-null-states/

diegodelgom's review

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adventurous funny mysterious reflective 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? It's complicated

4.0

Mantiene las virtudes de Infomocracy -buen ritmo, una trama repleta de reflexión política y, en general, una sensación constante de diversión- y mejora sus puntos débiles. En Null states unx empieza a coger cariño a los personajes, cuyo desarrollo quizá quedaba algo plano en la primera novela. Muy buen libro.

jada's review against another edition

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4.0

I preferred this to infomocracy, most likely because it started out with a bang, and had more of a mystery aspect. The world building of all the states and stuff was interesting as well, and it was cool to see how they tackled the privacy aspect in this. I also liked the romance subplot for some reason, which doesn't usually happen