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e_oneita's review against another edition
5.0
This was another incredible offering from Arkady Martine. I honestly was blown away at how impressive it was, how seamlessly everything came together, and similarly to the first book, how inherently likeable almost every single character was (yes, even Sixteen Moonrise, the beautiful jerk <3).
Another aspect that made this second novel even more impressive is that it is very, very different in scope and scale from the first. It would be entirely possible for Arkady Martine to have kept her second novel similar in being a court and intrigue style novel, but instead it became even more of a grand space opera, with "first contact" themes that gave her space to expand on her broader themes of identity.
In sum, I was worried this wouldn't be as good as the first novel but it absolutely was, and I fully recommend it to everyone.
Another aspect that made this second novel even more impressive is that it is very, very different in scope and scale from the first. It would be entirely possible for Arkady Martine to have kept her second novel similar in being a court and intrigue style novel, but instead it became even more of a grand space opera, with "first contact" themes that gave her space to expand on her broader themes of identity.
In sum, I was worried this wouldn't be as good as the first novel but it absolutely was, and I fully recommend it to everyone.
shellbellbell's review against another edition
adventurous
DNF. I was actually excited at first to be getting away from Mahit's story when this book started off with a space battle! But then I found myself disappointed when she showed up again. She's fine, really, I don't have anything major against her, but I am just...not interested in her life. On top of that there are too many character POVs which just slows down the pacing and I just couldn't really get into them. Oh well.
timinbc's review against another edition
5.0
It must suck to be the person who wrote another really good SF book this year, because Martine's going to get the Hugo and Nebula for this one. [update: got the Hugo, finalist for Nebula]
So many complex threads to the plot. So many interesting characters, all doing what they are sure is right. So many tough choices, so many creative solutions. Maybe a little heavy on having clever-but-unlikely solutions work out exactly as planned, but each one was necessary to drive the plot to where all the pieces mesh together.
Of COURSE Twelve Cicada did that, and OF COURSE the kid did that, and so on. Well set up.
All this and first contact, intership telepathy, a lesbian love thread, and more.
Wow.
So many complex threads to the plot. So many interesting characters, all doing what they are sure is right. So many tough choices, so many creative solutions. Maybe a little heavy on having clever-but-unlikely solutions work out exactly as planned, but each one was necessary to drive the plot to where all the pieces mesh together.
Of COURSE Twelve Cicada did that, and OF COURSE the kid did that, and so on. Well set up.
All this and first contact, intership telepathy, a lesbian love thread, and more.
Wow.
8ekka's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
detrimental's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.25
testaroscia's review against another edition
4.0
It is different yet still very engaging compared to the first book.
swaye's review against another edition
3.0
*sighhhhh* Arkady's writing and worldbuilding are brilliant. There is a lot to love about this sequel. Nineteen Adze, Eight Antidote, Nine Hibiscus, the political intrigue, everything about memory and connectedness, and what it means to be a person. However, there was quite a bit of repetition and going round in circles which made this quite a slog at times.
The crux of this story for me though and what I loved most about this duology overall is the deliciousness between Three Seagrass and Mahit Dzmare
Spoiler
and the ending just KILLED me!! I really needed them to have a proper happily ever after. Why Mahit wouldn't go with Three Seagrass makes zero sense to me especially with Three Seagrass finally understanding how she was unintentionally hurting Mahit and how far they'd come. Ugh, I'm so frustrated!I reallllllly hope that this isn't the end of this series. I feel like there is so much more of this story left to tell.
cecile87's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the book, and agree with those who felt that Three Seagrass and Mahit were superfluous for this story. I just wonder who would have been willing to go down to the vanquished Tex. desert planet to try and communicate with the enemy in the creative ways that the two commadres chose. These two weren’t burdened as much by the cultural press of the long-established factions from both Tex. and Llsel. I don’t know if that could have been said of other Information staffers.
What kept the book interesting were, as others have mentioned, Eight Antidote, the wonderful 11-year-old, Captain Nine Hibiscus, and Twenty Cicada. The war minister was interesting as well.
The intros and theme-builders (is that what they are? I’m a literature Luddite)for each chapter where mildly interesting. I couldn’t follow them. The sentiments of the aliens—I could capture a whiff and just went forward with that.
Aside from all this, if I read the book at face value, I have little faith that humans (perhaps any sentient being) can see more than what serves their own purposes for power, greed, hatred and brittle egos.
SPOILER ALERT
The heroes there were Nine Hibiscus—a warrior down to the bone who realized that fighting wasn’t going to solve this alien problem, and her adjutant—who gave up his identity and his body to save his people.
What kept the book interesting were, as others have mentioned, Eight Antidote, the wonderful 11-year-old, Captain Nine Hibiscus, and Twenty Cicada. The war minister was interesting as well.
The intros and theme-builders (is that what they are? I’m a literature Luddite)for each chapter where mildly interesting. I couldn’t follow them. The sentiments of the aliens—I could capture a whiff and just went forward with that.
Aside from all this, if I read the book at face value, I have little faith that humans (perhaps any sentient being) can see more than what serves their own purposes for power, greed, hatred and brittle egos.
SPOILER ALERT
The heroes there were Nine Hibiscus—a warrior down to the bone who realized that fighting wasn’t going to solve this alien problem, and her adjutant—who gave up his identity and his body to save his people.
thequeerestbookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? No
4.5