Reviews

A Desolation Called Peace by Arkady Martine

montybookdestroyer's review against another edition

slow-paced

2.0

faehistory's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

A beautifully written book exploring identity and communication and the ethics of war.

straylight's review against another edition

4.0

While I don't think it resonated with quite the same epic draw of the first one, this book was still intriguing, and added considerably to the story. The beautiful themes of the Teixcalaan civilizaiton continued to be on display, along with the complicated relationship of their empire to things such as the space station from which Mahit originates and to a newly discovered alien species with whom communication proves difficult. Even the struggle for power within the empire continues to be a theme, though in a more subdued fashion for most of this sequel.

I appreciated Martine's willingness to consider the possibilities of what other species we might encounter may be like, and how that initial contact may flounder. There are inherent risks to such meetings, and she touches on several of them.

Overall the story was quite satisfying to read, and again, leaves you in a place where you are satisfied with the story-arc, but might appreciate more if it were forthcoming. No major cliffhangers here. Definitely worth the read.

szuum's review against another edition

emotional mysterious tense slow-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

4.75

vy_n's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

shiverowl's review against another edition

adventurous

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

sukant's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

filippa_pap's review against another edition

adventurous challenging reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

I would love to see a third installment in the series full of Lsel politics, it's by far the most interesting part of the story! 

yarrowkat's review against another edition

5.0

I have a feeling 3Seagrass will be living in my head for a while and I don't mind even a little bit. Engaging characters, plotting that gallops along on its own clear course without ever getting predictable, an ending that the reader is perfectly set up for but which comes as a complete surprise anyway, and which somehow successfully ties up every open thread, and brings together parts that didn't even seem like threads until they were woven in at the end. Beautifully done. All around an absolute delight and I am so glad to have stumbled across these!

blynbetweenpages's review against another edition

adventurous dark 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

4.75