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violetshemitz's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
sashas_books's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
The YA prequel “Stoneskin” has grown up, painfully. It has become “Blackwing War” – a grimmer, very angry tale. There is anguish and tragedy, and characters that make horrible choices for the right (or so they seem to them) reasons. The horrors of genocide and concentration camps are described in such a way that I could almost hear the author screaming in the background “why can’t they see?”
Tembi is more mature. I really liked how she becomes stronger, smarter, angrier, more independent, and makes her own difficult choices.
The Deep is also developing in interesting ways, and things that were hinted at in the prequel are beginning to come together in the end. Exciting…
I find that I have trouble letting this book go. I will now wait, somewhat impatiently, for the next one.
rascalking's review against another edition
5.0
A really well done full serving of the world we got a peek into in Stoneskin. I'm amazed the author managed to give us a sense of stakes the whole way through, even with a mostly omniscient best friend watching over the main character.
Ends with a good hook for the next book without cheapening the ending to this story, which is a rarity these days.
I'm looking forward to the rest of this series.
Ends with a good hook for the next book without cheapening the ending to this story, which is a rarity these days.
I'm looking forward to the rest of this series.
wordnerdy's review
3.0
https://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2021/03/2021-book-61.html
I was excited to read the further adventures of Tembi and the Deep, but this book was pretty grim. I mean, “war” is in the title, but that doesn’t necessarily imply genocidal Space Nazis running scifi Auschwitz. Which is a thing happening in this book. I still like the characters even if I found some of the motivations and politicking confusing, and I will probably read the next one to see what Tembi gets up to. But yeah. Grim. B.
I was excited to read the further adventures of Tembi and the Deep, but this book was pretty grim. I mean, “war” is in the title, but that doesn’t necessarily imply genocidal Space Nazis running scifi Auschwitz. Which is a thing happening in this book. I still like the characters even if I found some of the motivations and politicking confusing, and I will probably read the next one to see what Tembi gets up to. But yeah. Grim. B.
terriaminute's review
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
While I never lost interest in the plot, there were points where I wondered about where this book would end, and if I would care when we got there.
Yes.
The ending is worth the journey.
I'm glad I read this. I will give the next in the series a try.
The only thing wrong with this far-future fantasy in space is the use of real-world current phrases, and the occasional reference to things like the characters of Toy Story, sprinkled throughout. And Tembi says a curse word in German for some reason. It was distracting.
Yes.
The ending is worth the journey.
I'm glad I read this. I will give the next in the series a try.
The only thing wrong with this far-future fantasy in space is the use of real-world current phrases, and the occasional reference to things like the characters of Toy Story, sprinkled throughout. And Tembi says a curse word in German for some reason. It was distracting.
dabbler's review
5.0
Wow. A complex, fascinating world.
A main character who becomes harder skinned ( literally) as risky things and strong emotions occur to her. A complex political environment. Redolent of James Schmitz’s Witches of Karres, and yet very different. Highly recommended.
A main character who becomes harder skinned ( literally) as risky things and strong emotions occur to her. A complex political environment. Redolent of James Schmitz’s Witches of Karres, and yet very different. Highly recommended.
craftysilicate's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.0
rachelscotland's review against another edition
5.0
The best novel I have read in a long time
Warm, dark and bloody terrifying, The Blackwing War pairs cosy giant space kittens with the ever-repeating cycle of fascism to tell a story so fantastic - and yet so human.
An absolutely unmissable scifi novel for our times.
Warm, dark and bloody terrifying, The Blackwing War pairs cosy giant space kittens with the ever-repeating cycle of fascism to tell a story so fantastic - and yet so human.
An absolutely unmissable scifi novel for our times.
jlsjlsjls's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
A wonderful full of wonders book!
Characters who are perfect in their flawed humanity as they deal with times of happiness and sorrow and horror and love and terror and the desire to try to do the right thing.
And at least one of them knows the meaning of "grok."
Looking forward to the next volumes because I know they'll be amazing. (less)
Characters who are perfect in their flawed humanity as they deal with times of happiness and sorrow and horror and love and terror and the desire to try to do the right thing.
And at least one of them knows the meaning of "grok."
Looking forward to the next volumes because I know they'll be amazing. (less)
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