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cb613's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
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
4.5
rubythedreamer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
Well written, captured my interest and was a real page turner... Beukes set the dystopian scene very realistically. I didn't know how it was going to end until I got there, thoroughly enjoyed
michellegroenewald's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
sambellis's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
francosteen's review against another edition
The premise sounded so interesting, and I got about halfway and realized it just wasn't keeping me intrigued. It didn't feel like anything new in the dystopian genre - and I was getting more bored the longer I kept reading.
I didn't particularly care for anyone and didn't care too much about why/how things came to be. It wasn't fully explained anyways, so, meh.
I didn't particularly care for anyone and didn't care too much about why/how things came to be. It wasn't fully explained anyways, so, meh.
derekmoodyrutledge's review against another edition
3.0
I really liked this book. I liked the writing, I liked the characters. The story was enjoyable. But, one criticism I may have it that it felt a little long. I was ready to be done 75 to 50 pages before it actually was.
gbthemango's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars/I'm not sure.
Really struggled to get into it, and then around half way found it more of a page turner, but still wasn't engrossed. I didn't like the characters much so had nobody to root for - I couldn't care what happened to any of them.
I think reading it in 2022 I was also suffering from a bit of pandemic fatigue. It might have entertained me more in 2019 naively thinking that pandemics are something that happen in history, not the present.
Really struggled to get into it, and then around half way found it more of a page turner, but still wasn't engrossed. I didn't like the characters much so had nobody to root for - I couldn't care what happened to any of them.
I think reading it in 2022 I was also suffering from a bit of pandemic fatigue. It might have entertained me more in 2019 naively thinking that pandemics are something that happen in history, not the present.
lauderbaugh's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 feels more accurate. Some clever stuff, some cliche, but an interesting take on the apocalypse genre (ignoring Fallout a Vault 69).
hank's review against another edition
3.0
It was bound to happen eventually, a three star rating, from me, for a Beukes book. I am a fan and I don't exactly know why but I will read anything she writes.
I have decided that I know why Beukes books don't get very high ratings, all of her books are tough to fit into a genre. If you are looking for horror, her books have some of that but probably not enough to make you satisfied, if you are looking for pure sci-fi, fantasy, magical realism, the same issues apply.
One thing I love/hate about her books is that there is a constant unsettling undertone throughout. You never are completely comfortable with the situations or the hope for a good outcome.
With all that, this was a fairly generic dystopia that was poorly explained. Parts were society is dead and you have to survive by scavenging, parts were society is still alive just stunted and distorted and the blend did not work for me. The religious cult parts were dull and the ultimate motivation to flee home to South Africa was not exactly believable.
I like Beukes writing and stories, this one was just a bit too bland and rehash.
I have decided that I know why Beukes books don't get very high ratings, all of her books are tough to fit into a genre. If you are looking for horror, her books have some of that but probably not enough to make you satisfied, if you are looking for pure sci-fi, fantasy, magical realism, the same issues apply.
One thing I love/hate about her books is that there is a constant unsettling undertone throughout. You never are completely comfortable with the situations or the hope for a good outcome.
With all that, this was a fairly generic dystopia that was poorly explained. Parts were society is dead and you have to survive by scavenging, parts were society is still alive just stunted and distorted and the blend did not work for me. The religious cult parts were dull and the ultimate motivation to flee home to South Africa was not exactly believable.
I like Beukes writing and stories, this one was just a bit too bland and rehash.
emckeon1002's review against another edition
4.0
Couldn't be more timely. I always enjoy Beukes' writing, and this was no exception. A virus has altered "normal" life on earth, and one of its side effects changes everything on the globe. It's an escape novel, a road novel, an exploration of cults and families. And it's extremely compelling. Really enjoyed it.