jkusters's review
3.0
I had a hard time finishing this book. It took a long time for all of the actors in the story to appear, and I found very few of them to be particularly sympathetic. What kept me going was the need to understand the two central mysteries of the story. The conclusion was satisfying in that it answered all of the posed questions, brought justice to the guilty, and ended logically. I’m not sure I’d recommend the book, however. I thought it was excellently written; I just didn’t care for it much.
foggy_rosamund's review
2.0
DNF pg. 400
Set in far future, where almost everyone who has left Earth is disabled in some way, this book is profoundly anti-eugenics. The bad guys are portrayed as those who are not comfortable around disabled people, and who want to celebrate abled bodies, rather than variation. For this alone, I applaud this novel. However, I have many, many issues with the way in which Friedman writes: this book is far too long for the limited plot, there are too many POVs interspersed throughout so the reader never gets to hold onto one character, and while I am impressed that she portrays various different neurotypes, she doesn't do so in any depth, so her autistic character feels cliched, and her character with Dissociative Identity Disorder is completely inauthentic. However, for the sentiment and ideas, I applaud this book.
Set in far future, where almost everyone who has left Earth is disabled in some way, this book is profoundly anti-eugenics. The bad guys are portrayed as those who are not comfortable around disabled people, and who want to celebrate abled bodies, rather than variation. For this alone, I applaud this novel. However, I have many, many issues with the way in which Friedman writes: this book is far too long for the limited plot, there are too many POVs interspersed throughout so the reader never gets to hold onto one character, and while I am impressed that she portrays various different neurotypes, she doesn't do so in any depth, so her autistic character feels cliched, and her character with Dissociative Identity Disorder is completely inauthentic. However, for the sentiment and ideas, I applaud this book.
simplyleanna's review
4.0
Great story but a hard read for non native English readers such as myself.
ladyofbooks's review
4.0
Loved the main character, hated the ending. I felt that the ending was wrapped up too nicely, and could have been a bit more fleshed out. I can understand why the ending was done that particular way, but still didn't care for it. It was too simple, it seemed. Still, loved the characters, world-building, and elegant writing. 4/5 stars!
wodime's review
slow-paced
4.0
okay okay so the jamisia plotline is kinda mid AND there sure are gender politics AND the ending is way too rushed, but man! space opera!!!! the guera stuff is all so insanely cool ;_;
avid_d's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
danielle_olivia's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
Mystery, intrigue, secuction, amazing. Had a hard time adjusting to the genre but the story is great once you get used to it.
myckroft's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
tyrshand's review against another edition
5.0
I'd read and loved this book ages ago and was in the mood to experience it again. I found the audio version, thinking my prior knowledge would help me with the split focus I have to have listening to books at work. Well, that was kind of wrong. The story is so complex and fascinating that it did require a good bit of tension. I love the still-relevant (after, what, 15 years or so?) explorations of what it means to be connected in our internet savvy world and where this all might lead. It also, of course, explores diversity in many fascinating ways. Race is no longer particularly important to most people when humanity has split into so many different variations -- and they mostly get along pretty well. Additionally, when humanity has changed so much, what does count as mental illness? What the "Terrans" labeled such are the seeds of many useful traits. Then, on top of all that, there are interesting characters, a good mystery, and plenty of adventure.