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annavdn's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
A lesson in not judging a book by its cover. Although this book has a beautiful cover, this book was a big disappointment. I found myself falling asleep while reading the first half of the book. I really had to push myself to keep reading. The book became more interesting once Cee/Celia managed to set sail, and got suspenseful when Hero, her love interest, tried to kill her and she ties him up and kills him before he is revived, because he is also a bot and his purpose is to stop her who is believed to be the bot Cee . The chapters following made the preceding chapters where Cee/Celia was the narrator more understandable. That Cee/Celia died several years ago, and that the Cee/Celia we know is a bot created by her sister, Kasey/Kay, and that the words "Cee. Find Me." coming to her mind was a command that was programed into the bot that could pursue happiness and felt emotions, which is why Cee/Celia sought autonomy. Also, I don't really understand Kasey/Kay's motivation to put part of Cee/Celia's real brain into the bot only for her to tell bot Cee that she didn't regard her as a sister. Why give her the memories at all? Why let the bot feel sisterhood for Kay/Kasey when it wasn't reciprocated? It just seems cruel. And the only purpose of the bot, according to Kay/Kasey is to find out if Earth is habitable for humankind à la Eve in Pixar's Wall-E. It is also important to note that the bot identifies as Cee and she calls the human version of herself Celia.
Kasey appears to be autistic although it isn't explicitly stated in the book. However, she is a STEM prodigy, so even if she is neurodivergent, she falls into the genre of autistic character with savant syndrome. It's very cliché and savant syndrome in autistic people is quite rare. I also don't like how scientific advancement is their solution for climate change. Sometimes the solution is simple, which is coexisting with nature rather than trying to rule over it. When we think about areas with less pollution and more biodiversity (such as dark sky reserves or national parks) they are largely inhabited by native americans or indigenous people. That seems the way to go rather than the type of environmentalism that is centered in this book, which seems very imperialist. There was also a quote in chapter 37(?) that goes : "Would people ever willingly give up their freedoms for the good of others?" I found this quote to imply that the culture was individualist rather than collectivist, which is common in Western imperialist countries.
Romance was between Hero (who Celia/Cee initially tried to name Dmitri, Tristan, and Heath - Dmitri and Tristan being two characters who exist, but aren't important) and x Celia/Cee and between Antinium and Kasey/Kay. The romance was unnecessary and I think I would have rathered it not be included in the book at all. I am not certain what race the male love interests are, but I am under the assumption that they are both white, Hero especially due to the other names that Celia/Cee tried to give him along with the fact that he is mentioned to have blue eyes.Either way, both of the male love interests betray their counterparts, Antinium especially, whose goal is to get rid of all humanity (an eco-fascist philosophy). As a wasian, I just think it's tacky to see white love interests for Asian characters and I wish this was an interracial mix that was less prevalent in media. Unrelated to romance, the other characters that exist in this book are not super relevant, but none of the characters are developed.
Kasey appears to be autistic although it isn't explicitly stated in the book. However, she is a STEM prodigy, so even if she is neurodivergent, she falls into the genre of autistic character with savant syndrome. It's very cliché and savant syndrome in autistic people is quite rare. I also don't like how scientific advancement is their solution for climate change. Sometimes the solution is simple, which is coexisting with nature rather than trying to rule over it. When we think about areas with less pollution and more biodiversity (such as dark sky reserves or national parks) they are largely inhabited by native americans or indigenous people. That seems the way to go rather than the type of environmentalism that is centered in this book, which seems very imperialist. There was also a quote in chapter 37(?) that goes : "Would people ever willingly give up their freedoms for the good of others?" I found this quote to imply that the culture was individualist rather than collectivist, which is common in Western imperialist countries.
Romance was between Hero (who Celia/Cee initially tried to name Dmitri, Tristan, and Heath - Dmitri and Tristan being two characters who exist, but aren't important) and x Celia/Cee and between Antinium and Kasey/Kay. The romance was unnecessary and I think I would have rathered it not be included in the book at all. I am not certain what race the male love interests are, but I am under the assumption that they are both white, Hero especially due to the other names that Celia/Cee tried to give him along with the fact that he is mentioned to have blue eyes.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Suicide, Classism, Cursing, and Death
Minor: Acephobia/Arophobia
augustar14's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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
3.25
I did find this book quite engaging. It has an air of mystery that has you wondering if what's happening is quite what it seems. The shifting point of view enhances this well. However, there were points I found underdeveloped or under explained which ultimately left me wanting at the end. <Spoiler> I didn't exactly understand the ending, whether it meant the reader was supposed to interpret what happened (and there was supposedly enough there to deduce a conclusion) or if it suggests that endings are ultimately unknown. Either way I felt confused and dissatisfied, wanting more information, to understand and know what did happen. </Spoiler>
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Terminal illness, Classism, and Grief
Moderate: Death, Abandonment, Violence, Vomit, War, Cancer, Bullying, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicide
Minor: Racism, Sexual content, Blood, Cursing, Addiction, Mental illness, Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
decklededgess's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
trigger warnings: death, death of parent, grief, gore, gun violence, physical injury and violence, mental illness, murder, anxiety and panic disorder, classism, sexual content, suicide, violence
Based on the premise of this book, I expected two sisters separated by circumstance trying to find out what happened/trying to get back to each other. I did not expect a futuristic commentary of environmental deterioration, social media/s toxic impact on class hierarchy and disengagement from reality, and a deeply incisive look into what it means to trust and to be family.
Ouch.
That's really all I want to say because every point past 30% is a spoiler for some spectacular plot twists. The book leaves you with the perfect amount of explicit information to let you sit and ponder the what ifs of what happens past the last page and in the unsaid moments. Beautifully done.
Based on the premise of this book, I expected two sisters separated by circumstance trying to find out what happened/trying to get back to each other. I did not expect a futuristic commentary of environmental deterioration, social media/s toxic impact on class hierarchy and disengagement from reality, and a deeply incisive look into what it means to trust and to be family.
Ouch.
That's really all I want to say because every point past 30% is a spoiler for some spectacular plot twists. The book leaves you with the perfect amount of explicit information to let you sit and ponder the what ifs of what happens past the last page and in the unsaid moments. Beautifully done.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Suicide, Death, Grief, Mental illness, Sexual content, Violence, Death of parent, Gore, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Classism
rhm04's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Drug use, Cancer, Terminal illness, Violence, Death of parent, Medical content, Murder, Self harm, Alcohol, Blood, Death, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Abandonment, and Cursing
Minor: Racism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Vomit
gracelynsreads's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Death and Cancer
hello_lovely13's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Death, Grief, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, and Classism
Minor: Sexual content
shadereads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness and Suicide
Moderate: Grief and Death
mikaelaandherbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Death, Grief, Murder, and Suicide
Minor: Sexual content
mattiedancer's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Writing: 4⭐️/5
Solidly written with some truly beautiful sections. Lots of really great foreshadowing that you don’t necessarily realize until you look back on it. Parts of the story can be a bit jarring and confusing, though He mostly smooths these out quickly.
Characters: 4⭐️/5
Beautifully different characters with realistic flaws and goals. The end felt a bit forced onto the characters, rather than created by the characters. Some sacrifices for plot over characters.
Plot: 4.75⭐️/5
Superb plot. Everything felt wrapped up at the end, but not too neatly. Some good surprises that didn’t feel forced or fake.
Post-Reading Rating: 5⭐️/5
Amazing plot. Interesting, thoughtful, well-developed and thought out.
Final Rating: 4.5⭐️/5
Notes: Joan He definitely sacrificed a bit of characterization for plot. Feels like a gem of the genre, regardless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Death of parent, and Terminal illness
merle_bookdragon's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I read this book because it's one of two books I will write my MA thesis about. This was only my first read and I'm sure I will expand on an actual review once I have more insight.
So far I can tell that this is definitely a challenging book but I enjoyed the challenge! I must admit that I was confused for a long time of like *what was actually going on* behind all the mysterious events and statements but I think that is the point of the book. I also feel like I wouldn't have been near as invested if I knew the *plot twist* from the very beginning. This way I was SO curious of what was the explanation and I was truly shook because I did not see ANY of this coming. The book definitely did not end like I thought it would when I started reading.
At the moment I won't go into plot/spoilers but that will surely follow!
So far I can tell that this is definitely a challenging book but I enjoyed the challenge! I must admit that I was confused for a long time of like *what was actually going on* behind all the mysterious events and statements but I think that is the point of the book. I also feel like I wouldn't have been near as invested if I knew the *plot twist* from the very beginning. This way I was SO curious of what was the explanation and I was truly shook because I did not see ANY of this coming. The book definitely did not end like I thought it would when I started reading.
At the moment I won't go into plot/spoilers but that will surely follow!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Death of parent, and Violence