Scan barcode
hb_bookworm's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed a memory called empire, and was curious - and nervous - how a desolation called peace would measure up. the varied viewpoints weren't what I was hoping for when I picked it up, but it started clicking into place faster and faster as I progressed and I fell fast and hard for the new and expanded cast of characters. having come to the end, it's clear to me that this story blows the prequel out of the water, and the prequel was an absolute stunner. I loved the twists of the plot and the possibilities this book sets up for all of our characters and I will read anything and everything that comes after this in this world. it's so rich and well-imagined and populated with such complicated and intriguing people. I definitely recommend this duology and can't wait to see what Martine writes next!!!!
nilssjoberg's review against another edition
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
Graphic: War and Xenophobia
Moderate: Genocide, Vomit, and Colonisation
Minor: Sexual content
reading_slumped's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
motherofdogs's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
laurentined's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Lots more perspectives than in the first book, which was great.
The first contact scenario seems thematically appropriate to explore here, for sure, as Mahit struggles with the empire's definition of personhood and what that means for her.
Given the kind of society they're in contact with though and the war aspect, we wind up mired in the mechanics of language a lot instead of the philosophy of language as explored in the first book.
Still really great and I think well executed, just not like, exactly what I wanted from this setting and characters though.
The first contact scenario seems thematically appropriate to explore here, for sure, as Mahit struggles with the empire's definition of personhood and what that means for her.
Given the kind of society they're in contact with though and the war aspect, we wind up mired in the mechanics of language a lot instead of the philosophy of language as explored in the first book.
Still really great and I think well executed, just not like, exactly what I wanted from this setting and characters though.
wantonjohnson's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
haier's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
tense
slow-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? N/A
4.0
boreasword's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
saloninareads's review against another edition
dark
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
2.25
druidessie's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, just wow. “A Desolation Called Peace” by Arkady Martine is an amazing read. The first book was really good, but this was even better! Her characters are so good. I especially loved two of the new ones (Twenty Cicada aka Swarm and Nine Hibiscus) and the way Eight Antidote got fleshed out in this book.
Like the first one, it’s a sci-fI political thriller, but the sequel adds a heavy dose of military space opera and a first-contact scenario very reminiscent of the movie Arrival. There’s also a really good reason she included Stanislav Petrov in the dedication. If you don’t know who that is, go look him up and learn about the little known incident which was arguably the closest humanity has ever come to nuclear war.
Like the first one, it’s a sci-fI political thriller, but the sequel adds a heavy dose of military space opera and a first-contact scenario very reminiscent of the movie Arrival. There’s also a really good reason she included Stanislav Petrov in the dedication. If you don’t know who that is, go look him up and learn about the little known incident which was arguably the closest humanity has ever come to nuclear war.