Scan barcode
phobean's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This was gorgeous and heartrending. The imagery was so rich and poetic. This story created a world that burst forth lofty and worthy ideals, melancholy experiences and the feeling of a deep, affecting emotional spell. I was deeply invested in the characters and their goals and survival. I'm not ready to reread it because I am still recovering from its poignancy and completeness. I am both deeply satisfied with the piece as a powerful experience, and at the same time bereft.
lagerlout's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
2.5
theravenlyn's review against another edition
took too long for me to get into it and had to return it to the library. might come back another time
jiroumi's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ellemackenzie's review against another edition
3.5
really cool premise, loved the new world and lore. personally could really tell this was written by a man - the emotion and consequence of what was happening really fell flat for me. shay endured a lot of traumatic stuff and she didn't even seem bothered??? betrayed by the person she loves(?), essentially sold into slavery, her dad dies, devana dies - and i would've been a lot more invested if i felt the emotional weight of these things but i just didn't
tothebookshelfandback's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture, Sexual violence, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Trafficking
pnwlisa's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
3.0
kerensa2108's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
5.0
I finished this last night - stayed up FAR too late as I couldn't put it down. That says it all - what a book. There aren't enough words to describe this novel, or how I felt when I'd finished it. It's beautifully written - the author's use of language is just stunning. There are too many examples of beautiful phrases to quote (and I read it in hard copy, not on my Kindle, so they're all underlined rather than highlighted electronically!) The descriptions are wonderfully lyrical, and not over-flowery or verbose - just right. The characters are so engaging and compelling, even the unlikeable ones. Evans, in particular - he's very complex and you can see little glimpses of goodness occasionally, before the greed and vanity overtake him again - but you can see why they do, what drives him. Nonesuch is also hugely complex and difficult to fathom, and as for Shay - one minute I wanted to hug her, the next minute give her a good shake, the next minute cheer her on, and then I was crying for her. When I'd finished I started writing a review but then had to put it down and sleep on it...I couldn't find the words, and I felt so bereft because the story was over and I had to say goodbye to Shay and her world. What a wonderful, beautiful, complex, fascinating, magical story. I am definitely going to read Mat Osman's other book (The Ruins) - I love his writing style and the world he's created in this one.
ellensweeney21's review
adventurous
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5