Reviews

Null States by Malka Older

jazzypizzaz's review against another edition

4.0

I liked this book a lot more than the previous and had an easier time buying into the world. I think that's partially due to being burnt out on US electoral politics and thus had a hard time suspending disbelief that an electoral process could be anything but depressing and rigged, partially due to how I had a hard time connecting how high level political organization actually impacted citizens living their lives within these governments. This book however, I was fully swept up into the political intrigue. I appreciated the view from within previous null state Darfur, their local challenges and skepticism of Information etc -- this explored some of my own skepticism about the world.

Surprisingly, I was also really invested in Roz's romance (and continue to be endeared by Ken and Mishima).

fastasashark's review against another edition

4.0

Really good follow-up to Infomocracy. The last half of the book was especially gripping. Think one of my favourite aspects is how much you see Older's profession and knowledge of global politics, governance and emergency procedures shine through. She progresses a lot of current political issues to the late 21st century in a way that feels very real and ties together well. Excited to read State Tectonics when it comes out in paperback.

protogen_dianma's review against another edition

4.0

Good follow up to infomocracy. A slower start than the first book, but about midway through I couldn’t put it down.

kowshik1009's review against another edition

5.0

I rated the first one 5 star but this is even better. One of the rare books that skillfully combine characters, plot & ideas. Malka Older makes us look at the problem from both up close and a distance and demonstrates how even a seemingly standalone event in a remote part of the world can be part of a larger geopolitical design. Also the conflicting effects of Information, which can be thought of as social media amplified in scope and consequences remain an interesting concept to ponder on. It's interesting to have Roz as the protagonist who's so accustomed to Information that she can't quite discern its pitfalls. The whole journey that she makes her more objective of the organization she works for is beautifully aligned with her relationship with Amran (a small character written beautifully) and Suleyman. Mishima remains the comic-book badass and as with the first book, Ken's there to humanize her.

Only thing that's a little difficult to follow are the names: Naugaz & Nejime, Maryam & Maria sometimes made me confused as to who is actually being referred to. But that's just nitpicking.

mst3kakalina's review

adventurous fast-paced

5.0

catsnflags's review

adventurous 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

4.75

tahnok's review against another edition

3.5

I love the interesting vision for the future that's not cyber punk dystopia and actually feels interesting and possible

I found it hard to keep the characters straight, I need more than a name to remember who's doing what

Bit disappointed in the ending, felt like the setup for book 3 of a trilogy 

davidtene's review

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.25

lautir's review against another edition

4.0

I really love this series.

Null States picks up about 2 years after the first book in the trilogy. It was nice to get some new POV characters and to see how the world has changed since the big election in the first book.

The mysteries in this book take a little longer to develop than the first book, so it feels a little slower. But it's fun to be with the characters as they put in all the leg work to investigate an assassination.

What I really love I think is the world that Older has created. Even though bad stuff is happening in both books it's a future I want to live in. I love the idea of an organization focused on the freedom and spread of verified information. I want the visual mods, I want to flick my hand and send a projection into the air. And I love how she sets up a completely unique democratic system.

Very excited for the conclusion and am going to be sad when it's done.

metafiktion's review

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5