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aoosterwyk's review against another edition
4.0
Throughout the book, amidst all the horror of child soldiers and war propaganda, I saw hints of our current political and environmental situation.
The pointless killing and refusal to create and only destroy at the highest level could be a logical extension into our future.
Bacigalupi continues to highlight themes that need correcting in our world, while creating characters and situations that show humanity at its best and worst.
The pointless killing and refusal to create and only destroy at the highest level could be a logical extension into our future.
Bacigalupi continues to highlight themes that need correcting in our world, while creating characters and situations that show humanity at its best and worst.
emilywv's review
4.0
Beware some intense, realistic violence and difficult-to-process parallels with the horrors of contemporary child-soldiering. Worth reading though, if you can handle it. Scenes focusing on the main character's developing relationship with a Wolverine-type character (ala X-Men) provide welcome relief from those focusing on the war zone they live in.
librovert's review against another edition
2.0
I really loved Ship Breaker, the first book in this loosely connected series and I really wanted to love The Drowned Cities. I didn't.
I was excited to see Tool mentioned in the description of this book, he was one of my favorite characters from Ship Breaker and was hoping to explore his story more. Although he plays a big role in the story I didn't feel like we learned any more about him in this book.
I loved the world and the conflict that Bacigalupi created in The Drowned Cities and I appreciated the hopefully dark outlook in the book, but I really had trouble with the characters. Of the four major characters there was one that I liked and was rooting for - Mouse. Mahliah and Ocho were both irritatingly immature and I couldn't have cared less about them getting out of their issues.
Overall - quite disappointed in this book. :(
I was excited to see Tool mentioned in the description of this book, he was one of my favorite characters from Ship Breaker and was hoping to explore his story more. Although he plays a big role in the story I didn't feel like we learned any more about him in this book.
I loved the world and the conflict that Bacigalupi created in The Drowned Cities and I appreciated the hopefully dark outlook in the book, but I really had trouble with the characters. Of the four major characters there was one that I liked and was rooting for - Mouse. Mahliah and Ocho were both irritatingly immature and I couldn't have cared less about them getting out of their issues.
Overall - quite disappointed in this book. :(
mark_lm's review against another edition
3.0
Good story, YA-ish but brutal, child soldiers figure prominently. I have not read Ship Breaker.
storyonlystory's review against another edition
4.0
Not Bacigalupi's best but still a good story worth reading. I love a book in which the main characters aren't just more Mary Sues and chosen ones for which Deus ex machina never fails. Bacigalupi's characters are always great and make any story worth the read despite plot. Not that the plot isn't good too!
I like that there is never a storybook happy ending in these tales.
I just wish this book had explained how Tool ends up where he ends up in another book. Oh well.
I like that there is never a storybook happy ending in these tales.
I just wish this book had explained how Tool ends up where he ends up in another book. Oh well.
dersedragon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
jojobobo38's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0