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Human refugees to an alien planet discovered an unexpected form of sapience. This has a great central concept--alien sapience; consent within symbiotic relationships; the relationship between personhood, body, and community; definitions of first contact and communication--and the extended timescale and diversity of PoVs compliments it well. The secondary thought experiment about community/utopia building is less interesting and compounded by weak dialog (especially glaring in audio). Occasionally, a high concept is sufficiently engaging that the narrative doesn't need to be particularly good--which isn't to say that this is bad (it's fine; overambitious, sometimes, but fine), but I was absolutely here just for the premise and it delivers--it's pulpy, engaging, creative; surprisingly fun, given the political content and darker moments.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This was really really well done. It handled some very hard topics in a very nuanced way, and I appreciated the insights into human nature and reality.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
An enticing read with a unique concept. Semiosis plays with the First Contact storyline with a twist that plant life is the intelligent lifeform. Unlike like Little Shop of Horrors or the Drengrir from The High Republic, which are plant monsters that just want to eat people, the plant life in Semiosis is mischievous and contemplative. The plant's ways of thought and interaction with humans are well-written and honestly believable. The humans of the story are also very interesting though as we follow several generations of humans as they colonize the planet Pax, we don't get to know much time with one person. However, the generational element of the book is equally fascinating. We see the development of civilization and culture of the Pax humans from their first landing on the planet. The pros between each POV or logbook are also uniquely written for each character, making each character very distinct in their way of thinking and their actions.
This is a very intriguing story. I like how much it digs into the interconnectedness of humans and other species. However, the pace did not keep my interest on most nights, so it was a slower read than many other books I like.
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I like the chapters from different people and different generations, and sometimes the plants.
My favorite scene was the plants rejoicing from the spring floods. It bothers me a bit that Stevland is a bit of a stereotypical logical male character, even though he's a plant. I think that was the point, (one of the characters mentions that they're displeased that the people have taken to calling it Stevland and a he).
I was expecting something like a plant-becomes-slavemaster story, and I'm glad that it remained much less black and white and complex: the humans were aware to different degrees that they were being controlled, it was never clear how much control the plant wanted, and at the end of the day, whether both parties could balance the fact that both needed each other, with one being a much more powerful organism, and live in harmony.
My favorite scene was the plants rejoicing from the spring floods. It bothers me a bit that Stevland is a bit of a stereotypical logical male character, even though he's a plant. I think that was the point, (one of the characters mentions that they're displeased that the people have taken to calling it Stevland and a he).
I was expecting something like a plant-becomes-slavemaster story, and I'm glad that it remained much less black and white and complex: the humans were aware to different degrees that they were being controlled, it was never clear how much control the plant wanted, and at the end of the day, whether both parties could balance the fact that both needed each other, with one being a much more powerful organism, and live in harmony.
I LOVE this book. That's honestly all I can say - the second I finished it, I started shoving it in the faces of anyone who came close. I really hope you do, too.
In Semiosis, you're dropped onto a distant planet with a group of scientists determined to make a place free of the danger and corruption of Earth. The planet, which they name Pax, is beautiful and lush, with happy hopping fippokats and seemingly endless forests of fruit-bearing bamboo. As one might expect, things on Pax are wonderful - until they aren't. When the bamboo suddenly turns on them - poisoning the land, their herds, and several unsuspecting members of the colony - the citizens of Pax must rethink the way they interact and communicate with plants before no one is alive to communicate at all.
Told from the first-person perspective of a Paxian from each consecutive generation, Semiosis provides a unique look into the way societies, and the people who help shape them, change over time. It's an adventure you won't find anywhere else.
In Semiosis, you're dropped onto a distant planet with a group of scientists determined to make a place free of the danger and corruption of Earth. The planet, which they name Pax, is beautiful and lush, with happy hopping fippokats and seemingly endless forests of fruit-bearing bamboo. As one might expect, things on Pax are wonderful - until they aren't. When the bamboo suddenly turns on them - poisoning the land, their herds, and several unsuspecting members of the colony - the citizens of Pax must rethink the way they interact and communicate with plants before no one is alive to communicate at all.
Told from the first-person perspective of a Paxian from each consecutive generation, Semiosis provides a unique look into the way societies, and the people who help shape them, change over time. It's an adventure you won't find anywhere else.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Semiosis by Sue Burke is an exceptional science fiction novel that blends intriguing ecological concepts with a thrilling narrative. The story unfolds on the distant planet of Pax, a world where plants are not only sentient but also active participants in the survival of its ecosystem. Burke does an extraordinary job of describing Pax, making it feel like a living, breathing world. Her vivid depictions of the planet’s strange and often hostile flora draw readers into a fascinating, immersive environment where the lines between life forms and their roles in the ecosystem are constantly shifting. The plot itself is rich with suspense, as characters must navigate the complexities of cohabiting with these intelligent plants. Burke's exploration of symbiosis, survival, and what it means to truly communicate with another species makes this novel both thought-provoking and emotionally engaging.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Although I found the book well written and biological thought experiment behind the book fascinating, this was not my cup of tea. It was much darker than books I usually seek out.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Each chapter follows another generation as humans colonize a planet. The primary idea is semiosis, as the humans and a native plant build a relationship. Each generation, and, in fact, each character is flattened to further emphasize a certain attribute or level in their development. For me, this took away a lot from the story. However, as a hundred years or so are covered along with many characters, I can see why the author made this choice. It simplifies the story in a way that likely increases accessibility to a wider range of readers. I also didn't like how very similar the plants' way of thinking matched the humans. I wanted real differences. Sure, there are references to biological differences, but the base thought patterns were the same. This was uplifted by a heavy sprinkling, especially further along in the book, of scientific references to chemicals the plants use for various processes.