A review by thebechdelbitch
The First Sister by Linden A. Lewis

adventurous mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Huh. This was a tricky one. I really wanted to like it, and I do think part of the issue was that I had high expectations and I was also just super excited to read a story with good Non-Binary representation in it. But this book really reads like the deleted scenes selection of an epic sci-fi space opera. The set up is unique and fascinating but the story itself focuses on all the wrong parts of it. I was craving more information about so many things that I never found out about, and the bits I did know about were all conveyed through bloated narration instead of action and dialogue. (like the definition of telling instead of showing). 

There are so many mature and complex themes in this book which really don't get the space to breathe and develop - such as consent,
Spoiler split personalities (a plot inclusion which unfortunately comes across as really superficial)
Spoiler and PTSD/war-related guilt and trauma. 

This book is fine. It's fine. It's not bad. But I was just expecting so much better, and so this was a dissappointing read. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings