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odunayo_y's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Thank You to Netgalley for providing me with an E-ARC
A very strong sci-fi debut, the prose and overall writing was tight. Despite being an ARC I didn’t notice any typographical errors. The characters were all interesting amd compelling in their own ways. But it seems I’m a black sheep in reviews as i HATED Esek, i get that she’s meant to be awful but gyatt dam she was grating. Lol and i was kicking my feet when Esek starts having a Bad Time.
I will say that the characters being ultra talented Badasses as teenagers was giving a bit YA lol. Like no a 16 year old is not going to be a galactic level mastermind. But other than that it was great!
I did enjoy that Esek & Chono’s relationship was purely platonic.
Another aspect I appreciated was how religion and religious people were treated. It was good to see Chono not be denigrated by the narrative for her beliefs. While still being realistic that there are people and institutions who cynically use the veneer of religion to justify their actions or hold onto power.
A very strong sci-fi debut, the prose and overall writing was tight. Despite being an ARC I didn’t notice any typographical errors. The characters were all interesting amd compelling in their own ways. But it seems I’m a black sheep in reviews as i HATED Esek, i get that she’s meant to be awful but gyatt dam she was grating. Lol and i was kicking my feet when Esek starts having a Bad Time.
I will say that the characters being ultra talented Badasses as teenagers was giving a bit YA lol. Like no a 16 year old is not going to be a galactic level mastermind. But other than that it was great!
I did enjoy that Esek & Chono’s relationship was purely platonic.
Another aspect I appreciated was how religion and religious people were treated. It was good to see Chono not be denigrated by the narrative for her beliefs. While still being realistic that there are people and institutions who cynically use the veneer of religion to justify their actions or hold onto power.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Murder, Xenophobia, Gun violence, Violence, Religious bigotry, Child abuse, Toxic friendship, and Death
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Genocide
Minor: Rape, Pedophilia, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault
brooke_city's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was really, really good! The kind of space opera I've been looking for. Lots of action and political machinations with female and NB characters. Esek was a perfect villain to hate. She reminded me of Cersei from GoT.
I'm only deducting a star bc I feel there wasn't an adequate explanation as to why (how?) the memory coin mattered. We know it's bad, but what does it mean? I had to read thru some reviews for an explanation, and they mostly give broad strokesabout the genocide. .
The time jumps can be confusing, esp when listening to the audiobook (as I did). I didn't realize there were time jumps until one of the explosions.
The ending got hectic,esp at the reveal that Six had been masquerading as Esek for some time. I thought Six was Lys. Many new characters were introduced, and I don't entirely trust The Wheel.
Looking forward to the next one.
I'm only deducting a star bc I feel there wasn't an adequate explanation as to why (how?) the memory coin mattered. We know it's bad, but what does it mean? I had to read thru some reviews for an explanation, and they mostly give broad strokes
The time jumps can be confusing, esp when listening to the audiobook (as I did). I didn't realize there were time jumps until one of the explosions.
The ending got hectic,
Looking forward to the next one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Violence, Toxic friendship, Murder, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Colonisation
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