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islasoul's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Incest
voidboi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
Genius storytelling and worldbuilding, thoughtful reflection on change, religion, humanity, place, entropy, and so much more. Every time I started a new chapter I would be excited all over again to see what was happening with Ixul, or Leah, or Niloux (and the surrounding characters). Discovering the threads running between each time was delightful. I loved the structure of this novel, and how it collapses in on itself.
In particular, the world of Laviaja was fascinating, and the conflict between Niloux and Tanaaj was the perfect framing for a refreshingly nuanced look at utopia. I both longed for a society like Laviaja, and found it difficult at many times. I was pulled in strongly and challenged by the characters and the way they think about their world.
Also, this book has an excellent acknowledgements section, which only impressed upon me more the labor and care that the author took to create such an intelligent and compassionate story.
In particular, the world of Laviaja was fascinating, and the conflict between Niloux and Tanaaj was the perfect framing for a refreshingly nuanced look at utopia. I both longed for a society like Laviaja, and found it difficult at many times. I was pulled in strongly and challenged by the characters and the way they think about their world.
Also, this book has an excellent acknowledgements section, which only impressed upon me more the labor and care that the author took to create such an intelligent and compassionate story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Sexual content, Death, Gore, Drug use, Vomit, Self harm, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Cancer, Classism, Colonisation, Torture, Racism, and Suicidal thoughts
hammy91's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
4.75
Very interesting! I enjoyed the first two time periods so much that I didn't want it to end.
The last time period which is in the future was very hard to follow at first, but I want to believe it's because I do not know any Spanish so I had no idea of the Spanish words and conversations. But I later found out there's a glossary in the back so I was referencing it while I read which was very helpful!
As I said, the first two was amazing, I especially enjoyed Leah's story. The Mayan time period was interesting too but during the middle part I felt the plot dragged out a little bit but eventually picked up and things got INTENSE.
I love the ending which is basically all of Book 3 it was just so fun to see everything finally align together.
It wasn't an absolute five-star read but close enough! Definitely recommend!
The last time period which is in the future was very hard to follow at first, but I want to believe it's because I do not know any Spanish so I had no idea of the Spanish words and conversations. But I later found out there's a glossary in the back so I was referencing it while I read which was very helpful!
As I said, the first two was amazing, I especially enjoyed Leah's story. The Mayan time period was interesting too but during the middle part I felt the plot dragged out a little bit but eventually picked up and things got INTENSE.
I love the ending which is basically all of Book 3 it was just so fun to see everything finally align together.
It wasn't an absolute five-star read but close enough! Definitely recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Incest, Self harm, Violence, Blood, and Slavery
Moderate: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, and Murder
Minor: Terminal illness and Vomit
liormaleficent's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Death, Colonisation, and Religious bigotry
deedireads's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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? No
5.0
All my reviews live at https://deedispeaking.com/reads/.
TL;DR REVIEW:
Oh my gosh, I loved The Acutal Star so much. It’s so creative and smart and well-written. Every chapter was a puzzle. This is one to savor and enjoy!
For you if: You like books with multiple timelines that have intersecting plotlines.
FULL REVIEW:
TL;DR REVIEW:
Oh my gosh, I loved The Acutal Star so much. It’s so creative and smart and well-written. Every chapter was a puzzle. This is one to savor and enjoy!
For you if: You like books with multiple timelines that have intersecting plotlines.
FULL REVIEW:
“The Cortada The cave began as nothing more than a softness. As the water pooled, the softness became a depression, the depression a cut, the cut a passage, the passage a cavern, and the cavern a world. In the time of the Maya, that world was the realm of the gods. In the time of Saint Leah, that world was a tourist attraction. In our time, I propose, that world may be most rightly understood as a theatre of the soul.”
Hi there. I’d like to introduce you to the next book I’ll be recommending to anyone who will listen: The Actual Star by Monica Byrne. It’s creative and smart, with intricate (but not overwhelming) world-building. It’s a standalone soft sci-fi novel, perfect for people who love to read fantasy too.
The story takes place in three timelines: the year 1012, focusing on the ruling siblings of the final great Maya empire; 2012, with a girl named Leah who travels to Belize in search of Xibalba, transcendence; and 3012, focusing on two members of the nomadic society that now worships Leah and evolved out of climate change, each urging a certain direction for the world’s next age.
This is a book that’s easy to read quickly but rewards you for reading slowly and paying close attention; I read it over the course of nearly three weeks (a very long time for me) and loved every minute. Each chapter is a puzzle, a treasure hunt. The three timelines and plots intersect early and often, and we as readers delight in every moment of overlap. You sense that you’re spiraling toward an epic conclusion, and Byrne absolutely delivers.
All three timelines are also carefully considered; Byrne carefully researched Maya history and traditions, and that part of the story is rich. I also appreciated the way she presented languages from Spanish to Kriol without direct translation, but in a way that allowed you to follow along. And I was fascinated by the future she imagined: one in which biological sex does not exist, pronouns are universal, and people’s identities (gender, sexuality, etc) are self-chosen and -communicated.
ANYWAY, I loved this book a whole heck of a lot and you should read it!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Incest, and Sexual content
Moderate: Violence
infinityofhats's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm and Incest
Moderate: Violence
linzomatic's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm
Moderate: Violence
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