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3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
https://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2021/05/2021-book-117.html
I’m generally a big fan of Johnston's stuff, but this felt a little thinner than some of her previous work. It’s a fairly straightforward sci-fi novel about a girl on a long-haul ship whose family treats her as worthless when she turns out to have a specific power (which seems like an awesome power to have so this makes little sense), and she runs away, and makes a new life for herself with new friends. And that is all great! But the second half just felt underbaked to me. I wanted more character development and more relationship development. And the ending could have been more climactic! I mean I loved the protagonist and the world here is interesting (and maybe there is a sequel coming?) but it just didn’t engross me as much as it could have. B/B+.
I’m generally a big fan of Johnston's stuff, but this felt a little thinner than some of her previous work. It’s a fairly straightforward sci-fi novel about a girl on a long-haul ship whose family treats her as worthless when she turns out to have a specific power (which seems like an awesome power to have so this makes little sense), and she runs away, and makes a new life for herself with new friends. And that is all great! But the second half just felt underbaked to me. I wanted more character development and more relationship development. And the ending could have been more climactic! I mean I loved the protagonist and the world here is interesting (and maybe there is a sequel coming?) but it just didn’t engross me as much as it could have. B/B+.
I am obsessed with scifi and grew up watching Star Wars, Star Trek and StarGate (movie and shows). It wasn't until the last few years that I've truly started reading my believed scifi, I guess I was a late bloomer of sorts, and my TBR list blew up.
I've read several of Johnston's books and absolutely loved them! So when I came across this one I was intrigued by the concept, immediately added it to my TBR list and placed a hold for the next available copy through my local library. The moment it was available, I downloaded the ebook and started reading...
I'm not really sure what happened, the concept is intriguing, but I was taken back by the subplot that I feel like this diminished the story for me. The main character is escaping a world of degradation, servitude, starvation and forced pregnancy that it becomes so entangled with the primary plot that it's hard to separate your feelings on the various sensitive/trigger topics.
Despite being curious on how the story plays out, I'm not sure if I'll read the second book when it comes out.
I've read several of Johnston's books and absolutely loved them! So when I came across this one I was intrigued by the concept, immediately added it to my TBR list and placed a hold for the next available copy through my local library. The moment it was available, I downloaded the ebook and started reading...
I'm not really sure what happened, the concept is intriguing, but I was taken back by the subplot that I feel like this diminished the story for me. The main character is escaping a world of degradation, servitude, starvation and forced pregnancy that it becomes so entangled with the primary plot that it's hard to separate your feelings on the various sensitive/trigger topics.
Despite being curious on how the story plays out, I'm not sure if I'll read the second book when it comes out.
adventurous
challenging
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
E.K. Johnston has such a unique writing voice, and it really shows in this book. It is simultaneously removed and extremely present, and it adds enormously to the mood of this sci-fi story. I enjoyed it, but I can definitely understand why it wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea - it goes into some uncomfortable areas, and I definitely agree that the content warning given at the top of the book was lacking given what goes on. However, I found it - for lack of a better word - neat to read. It's a thought-provoking story.
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
Moderate: Trafficking
adventurous
dark
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
this is the type of book i think i'll be thinking about for a while- not because it was very good, but because a lot of the topics are unorthodox in contrast to mainstream books. they were definitely uncomfortable themes (forced pregnancy, calorie obsession, human trafficking). it was kinda fucked but also the complete opposite? nothing was resolved and the issues of the book were never expanded upon. the main plot point is pendt becoming happier. like... nothing else is focused on for long besides that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Slavery, Torture, Trafficking, Pregnancy, Colonisation, War
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Wasn't entirely for me.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Sexual violence, Slavery, Medical content, Trafficking, Medical trauma
Minor: Child death, Transphobia
Sexual violence is an approximate tag, as we don't have a content warning for reproductive coercion.
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced