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yrioona's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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? No
4.0
This was excellent escapism and felt surprisingly fresh. The characters (including one of the most charming AIs in sci fi and an allllllmost-more-than-subtextual butch/femme odd couple) were well drawn and a joy to spend time with, the concepts were interesting and lovingly elaborated, the setting was gorgeous. I appreciated Kagan's humor and her clear affection for her characters, as well as her respect for their wide array of customs and languages. There is unfortunately more than a little white-saviorism to this narrative, and the book's boundless optimism and moral simplicity, paired with an overly predictable plot, sometimes bordered on d*sneyfied for me. However, the beautifully rendered and often unexpected details (of character, culture, manner, and landscape) more than made up for the somewhat uninspired framework they were hanging on. This book just *felt good* and was a lovely world to disappear into for a few days.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Alcoholism, and Grief
Minor: Car accident, Xenophobia, Violence, Religious bigotry, Murder, Mental illness, Genocide, Death, and Confinement
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