maddieeeeelyn's review
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
holobiont's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
rubberpug1783's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.75
bookgirlnadine's review
3.0
Wanted to love this book... and it was good, but the Romeo and Juliet story within really through me off. I wanted more of a social commentary and power struggle. That said, characters were memorable and believable, even as the voices of monkeys.
koby's review against another edition
3.0
This is an ambitious book about monkeys...
I really would give this book more of 2.5 stars, but since that isn't an option, I rounded up. I thought this book, which was a thinly veiled reference to the politics that led to the Holocaust (and I was right, according to the author's afterword), had great heart. I appreciated where it was coming from and it was a very developed story (almost too developed).
I did wish that the monkeys had felt more like monkeys and less like people. The author admitted that he took some liberty with his monkey characteristics, but my internet browsing suggested they barely acted like monkeys. I would have liked them to feel more like animals, I think.
All in all, a neat novel, I appreciate its heart, but I skimmed a lot of this.
I really would give this book more of 2.5 stars, but since that isn't an option, I rounded up. I thought this book, which was a thinly veiled reference to the politics that led to the Holocaust (and I was right, according to the author's afterword), had great heart. I appreciated where it was coming from and it was a very developed story (almost too developed).
I did wish that the monkeys had felt more like monkeys and less like people. The author admitted that he took some liberty with his monkey characteristics, but my internet browsing suggested they barely acted like monkeys. I would have liked them to feel more like animals, I think.
All in all, a neat novel, I appreciate its heart, but I skimmed a lot of this.
unique_polarizer's review
4.25
So beautiful and poignant.
Takes you on a roller coaster of emotions, betrayal, love and destiny.
Don't worry it has a good ending
Perfect read.
Takes you on a roller coaster of emotions, betrayal, love and destiny.
Don't worry it has a good ending
Perfect read.
deepaksrini's review against another edition
4.5
4.5/5
An epic, ambitious, beautiful chimera of political drama and military fantasy flecked with elements drawn from the gangster pastiche. Also functions on an allegorical level as a study of social psychology via an exploration of conformism, agentic state theory and obedience to authority. Big words aside, this was a relentlessly entertaining read. The first act was the weakest part of the book; too many plot conveniences to set up Mico's lifelong agenda when it ends up being Mico's personality that sends him on an inevitable collision course with Tyrell. Also, it was quite difficult to visualise tiny monkeys doing very human things in my tiny little head. Providing some visual crutches would've gone a long way. Those are my only complaints. Lovely book!
An epic, ambitious, beautiful chimera of political drama and military fantasy flecked with elements drawn from the gangster pastiche. Also functions on an allegorical level as a study of social psychology via an exploration of conformism, agentic state theory and obedience to authority. Big words aside, this was a relentlessly entertaining read. The first act was the weakest part of the book; too many plot conveniences to set up Mico's lifelong agenda when it ends up being Mico's personality that sends him on an inevitable collision course with Tyrell. Also, it was quite difficult to visualise tiny monkeys doing very human things in my tiny little head. Providing some visual crutches would've gone a long way. Those are my only complaints. Lovely book!
billies_not_so_secret_diary's review against another edition
I just could not get into this book. Young adult with monkeys as the main characters. Read like other books based on wars/conflicts with religious referrals over who/which tribe is better.
low_light_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0