16swest's review
5.0
4.5 stars! At first, this book frustrated me because I was always wrong about where it was going. I still think I'm not the biggest fan of multiple perspectives but by the end of the novel I deeply cared about many of the characters, and I cared about this book. It's certainly a debut novel but I appreciate how unexpected it was for me. I don't think this book is for everyone but I loved it. Wonderful commentary on humanity (corporate profit is king), and I've always wanted a sci-fi story where there are immense problems in society, impossible for the characters to change, so they just live in it, and survive it together. So much more realistic than some sort of resistance or revolution which I was initially expecting.
Great read, the earth and society are fucked, but there's always found family if you try :)
Great read, the earth and society are fucked, but there's always found family if you try :)
kbhenrickson's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
lex311's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
simon jimenez is an expert at weaving story lines and perspectives. It's what I loved about The Spear Cuts Through Water, and it plays well in this book as well. It was hopeful and lighthearted at times and dark and emotionally intense at others. A great look at the effects of colonization, trauma, chosen family, and the impact of our choices.
I loved the relationship between Nia and Ahro, and the development of the two characters because of each other. The whole cast of characters were lovable and complex.
I loved the relationship between Nia and Ahro, and the development of the two characters because of each other. The whole cast of characters were lovable and complex.
peteradamson's review
adventurous
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
joosty's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I started to read this book in 2021, put it away during chapter 4 with a note summarizing the previous chapters, and picked it up recently to finish it.
I did not like this book. I don't think it's very original as a SF space opera, and I think the style of the book takes away from the core, which is a story about human connection. By style, I don't just mean the prose, but the fact that some chapters are written as short stories outside of (or in addition to) the main narrative, and this saps all the momentum.
When the characters in the book get some time on the page and they actually talk and do things, the book works, but this doesn't happen too much.
I think it would work much better in a visual medium than a book, or as a collection of short stories.
I can totally see why people would love this book. If you connect with its vibe, I'm sure it's amazing. Unfortunately for me, I did not experince that connection and found it pretentious and tedious instead.
I did not like this book. I don't think it's very original as a SF space opera, and I think the style of the book takes away from the core, which is a story about human connection. By style, I don't just mean the prose, but the fact that some chapters are written as short stories outside of (or in addition to) the main narrative, and this saps all the momentum.
When the characters in the book get some time on the page and they actually talk and do things, the book works, but this doesn't happen too much.
I think it would work much better in a visual medium than a book, or as a collection of short stories.
I can totally see why people would love this book. If you connect with its vibe, I'm sure it's amazing. Unfortunately for me, I did not experince that connection and found it pretentious and tedious instead.
adam_channing's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
nerual_'s review
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
4.5
jillianhd's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Beautifully written with a super intricate plot and cast of characters, but the pacing bogged me down and time was stretched to a confusing point (appropriately so)