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hjswinford's review against another edition
4.0
2023 reread: I enjoyed not having to struggle my way through orienting in this world this time around. It was nice to just enjoy the complexities of the worldbuilding and character. This time, I'll be continuing onto book 2!
2021 read: My brain is flooded to overflowing with thoughts, but they feel difficult to grasp after closing this book. I'm not sure that this book made a statement about anything so much as presented some complex ideas and said, "Here, reader: consider the existence of the self. What does 'I' mean?" The narrator believes that they are mostly dead...however they are viewed as "human" by even those who come to discover their identity because even in a society with "corpse soldiers" who have no thought or feeling (wink wink), anyone can be a *person* who shows humanity in their actions. The book was fascinating, but difficult to really get immersed in at first because the POV was so dang confusing. It was unique and in retrospect, I totally understand what's going on, but it was difficult to get into at first with no ability to get oriented. I did really like the development of the plot, though, and found the end very exciting. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
2021 read: My brain is flooded to overflowing with thoughts, but they feel difficult to grasp after closing this book. I'm not sure that this book made a statement about anything so much as presented some complex ideas and said, "Here, reader: consider the existence of the self. What does 'I' mean?" The narrator believes that they are mostly dead...however they are viewed as "human" by even those who come to discover their identity because even in a society with "corpse soldiers" who have no thought or feeling (wink wink), anyone can be a *person* who shows humanity in their actions. The book was fascinating, but difficult to really get immersed in at first because the POV was so dang confusing. It was unique and in retrospect, I totally understand what's going on, but it was difficult to get into at first with no ability to get oriented. I did really like the development of the plot, though, and found the end very exciting. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
bugsbunny495's review against another edition
adventurous
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? It's complicated
4.5
smalefowles's review against another edition
challenging
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Is One Esk just a more complex Murderbot? Perhaps not precisely, but I'm definitely here for it.
jenamanda1228's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
sonjaha's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
georgethom's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
mauricekofi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Leckie has absolutely blown me away. It is safe to say that this is one of my favorite sci-fi novels of all time, and one of the best I've read this year (don't worry, Jemisin's Broken Earth trilogy still takes top). Truly though, Leckie masterfully writes a story that exposes the fallacies inherit to law and order, war, and the assumptions of "superior" societies. From beginning to end, she lays out the contradictions obvious to everyone except the Radchaai, but contains it all within a character whose lack of humanity in the eyes of those around her make her the most human of all.
Leckie, in my opinion, is at the level of those such as Frank Herbert and N.K. Jemisin, using sci-fi to communicate elements of the human condition that we often ignore, with the implications of how they shape or societies and define our decisions. Ann Leckie deserves the accolades she has received. My only regret is that it took me so long to pick up this book, despite having heard about it years ago.
Leckie, in my opinion, is at the level of those such as Frank Herbert and N.K. Jemisin, using sci-fi to communicate elements of the human condition that we often ignore, with the implications of how they shape or societies and define our decisions. Ann Leckie deserves the accolades she has received. My only regret is that it took me so long to pick up this book, despite having heard about it years ago.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Slavery, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Xenophobia, Colonisation, War, and Classism
alaspooryorick's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
dylex's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75