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anyajulchen's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book! It was beautifully and full of amazing reflections without being sappy. I also loved how the author created the characters and presented the evolution of the relationship without forcing it.
Is a juvenile book, a good book and a sweet story. I'll definitely read the continuation.
Is a juvenile book, a good book and a sweet story. I'll definitely read the continuation.
stephlq's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
kalliste's review against another edition
2.0
I'll start this by saying that I'm not typically a fan of fantasy fiction. So, maybe that's why I didn't enjoy this book much.
I found Sohmeng frustrating and annoying and then she blamed it all on her name/time of birth. She'a a Par so she is rude and direct and stubborn! She is confronted about it, but she is also the narrator of the book, so we are in her head the entire time, which is a long time when it's a character you aren't liking.
There is a lot of praise for the world-building, but I found some of it difficult to imagine. I know the Saoni were reptilian but I still can't quite picture their size or shape. Are they lizard like? Frog? I don't know. Just they have scales and claws and big mouths. I also can't really picture Sohmeng in my mind.
Then there is the discussion on how gender is handled and I found it pretty clunky. Some things aren't explained well and when using 'they/them' pronouns for a character the writing sometimes made it confusing who/what was being discussed.
It ends incredibly abruptly as well, and even though the ending implies I'll find out more in book two, I'm not really willing to give any more of my time to this world.
I found Sohmeng frustrating and annoying and then she blamed it all on her name/time of birth. She'a a Par so she is rude and direct and stubborn! She is confronted about it, but she is also the narrator of the book, so we are in her head the entire time, which is a long time when it's a character you aren't liking.
There is a lot of praise for the world-building, but I found some of it difficult to imagine. I know the Saoni were reptilian but I still can't quite picture their size or shape. Are they lizard like? Frog? I don't know. Just they have scales and claws and big mouths. I also can't really picture Sohmeng in my mind.
Then there is the discussion on how gender is handled and I found it pretty clunky. Some things aren't explained well and when using 'they/them' pronouns for a character the writing sometimes made it confusing who/what was being discussed.
It ends incredibly abruptly as well, and even though the ending implies I'll find out more in book two, I'm not really willing to give any more of my time to this world.
templetoncecelia's review
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- 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? Yes
5.0
lonkabooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
holleranaboutbooks's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Sohmeng is one of the most relatable characters I've ever read, and the lush world-building in this book was so fascinating. If you love astrology, How to Train Your Dragon, dinosaurs, caves, and a coming of age story, this one was made for you.
luslabyrinth's review
5.0
i’m very excited to pick up the second book of the sãoni cycle. sohmeng and hei are profound characters that feel so real. i enjoyed getting to know them and reading about their upbringing, how they absorb and navigate their world and the environment around them as they grow as individuals and together. they are very introspective characters who deeply consider life, the universe, and the hmun (community) they come from. the established mythology was created so well and the exploration of gender within the story is written beautifully. this is a heartfelt coming of age story. the baby sãoni were also trying to steal the show the entire time, so cute.
siavahda's review against another edition
5.0
Really clever, interesting worldbuilding, and a protagonist-and-love-interest I absolutely ADORED (cheek-rubs ftw!) Deep and sweet and thrilling by turns. Beautiful descriptions. And an ending that has me RABID to pounce on the sequel!
kelamity_reads's review
adventurous
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? It's complicated
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I actually went straight online after finishing it and purchased a paperback version of it as well as the next book in the series.
Can I just say how awesome it is to have an aromantic protagonist? Especially an allo-aro one?
I really loved a lot about this story but the world building was especially brilliant. I love the depth and complexity of the hmun society that Silver has created. The lunar phasal method for determining gender was particularly fascinating to me.
I pretty much immediately warmed up to every single character within moments of meeting them. I really enjoyed the character development and the way that Sohmeng and Hei's relationship develops.
Given the protagonists' ages, I'm assuming that is considered a young adult novel, but I never got that uncomfortable, unrelatable feeling I usually get when I read YA fiction.
I'm was really keen to read the next book so I bought the ebook as well so I could read it while I waited for my hard copy to arrive!
Can I just say how awesome it is to have an aromantic protagonist? Especially an allo-aro one?
I really loved a lot about this story but the world building was especially brilliant. I love the depth and complexity of the hmun society that Silver has created. The lunar phasal method for determining gender was particularly fascinating to me.
I pretty much immediately warmed up to every single character within moments of meeting them. I really enjoyed the character development and the way that Sohmeng and Hei's relationship develops.
Given the protagonists' ages, I'm assuming that is considered a young adult novel, but I never got that uncomfortable, unrelatable feeling I usually get when I read YA fiction.
I'm was really keen to read the next book so I bought the ebook as well so I could read it while I waited for my hard copy to arrive!