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blue_jules's review
So, Nisi Shawl's "Kinning", sequel to "Everfair". We revisit the alternate steampunk history African country, now a hereditary monarchy, and meet some characters, but in 1922, after their world's version of the Great War and devastating influenza pandemic.
Ilunga and Mwadi compete for the throne, their mother schemes, Europeans want to polder the Mediterranean and flood parts of Africa, and Tink and others are on a revolutionary mission.
There's not that much steampunk tech here; the main novelty are two fungus-based "vaccines" which enhance both the some senses and social bonds between small groups.
One, developed by the Russians as a flu vaccine, can have unfortunate side effects; the other, used by the socialist May Fourth movement, is thought of as an "inoculation against capitalist hierarchism".
How these spread globally and how they change some characters who try to figure out what they can do is the main theme and plot of the novel.
Which kind of spoiled it for me, because these fungi creep me out and their frequent administration without consent gave me body horror.
But there's much to like here too: it has great characters, cool ideas, and great descriptions of the heightened sense of smell. It just wasn't for me.
Ilunga and Mwadi compete for the throne, their mother schemes, Europeans want to polder the Mediterranean and flood parts of Africa, and Tink and others are on a revolutionary mission.
There's not that much steampunk tech here; the main novelty are two fungus-based "vaccines" which enhance both the some senses and social bonds between small groups.
One, developed by the Russians as a flu vaccine, can have unfortunate side effects; the other, used by the socialist May Fourth movement, is thought of as an "inoculation against capitalist hierarchism".
How these spread globally and how they change some characters who try to figure out what they can do is the main theme and plot of the novel.
Which kind of spoiled it for me, because these fungi creep me out and their frequent administration without consent gave me body horror.
But there's much to like here too: it has great characters, cool ideas, and great descriptions of the heightened sense of smell. It just wasn't for me.
ddmgembala's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
franklyfrank's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
3.5
joshbushey's review
Too much going on and I need to read the first book in the series. Great writing though
laurareads87's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed Everfair, so was happy to pick up Kinning.
Kinning has a very large, diverse cast whose POVs feel distinctive (which is an accomplishment particularly given the plotline). There are even some brief non-human character POV sections which are really well done. The world-building in these novels is fantastic - a steampunk alternative history - and the engagement with big themes (autonomy, empathy, ideology, anticolonial politics, collective consciousness) is well realized. This book poses some serious questions about independence and interdependence and boundaries and bodily autonomy in interesting ways.
I can definitely see how this series wouldn't be for everyone - it's multi-layered and complex, and at times the massive cast and multiple plotlines and shifting allegiances and relationships can get a bit confusing, particularly toward the end of the book (around 70% or so). All in all though, I definitely enjoyed it and if there are more books set in this world, I'll pick them up for sure.
Content warnings: racism, racial slurs, sexism, colonialism, medical content, mentions of war, mentions of incest
Kinning has a very large, diverse cast whose POVs feel distinctive (which is an accomplishment particularly given the plotline). There are even some brief non-human character POV sections which are really well done. The world-building in these novels is fantastic - a steampunk alternative history - and the engagement with big themes (autonomy, empathy, ideology, anticolonial politics, collective consciousness) is well realized. This book poses some serious questions about independence and interdependence and boundaries and bodily autonomy in interesting ways.
I can definitely see how this series wouldn't be for everyone - it's multi-layered and complex, and at times the massive cast and multiple plotlines and shifting allegiances and relationships can get a bit confusing, particularly toward the end of the book (around 70% or so). All in all though, I definitely enjoyed it and if there are more books set in this world, I'll pick them up for sure.
Content warnings: racism, racial slurs, sexism, colonialism, medical content, mentions of war, mentions of incest
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Medical content, Sexism, and Racial slurs
Minor: Blood, War, and Incest
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