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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
I really liked the dystopian/utopian aspects of the book but could really have done without the witchcraft. For some reason I thought this was a sci-fi book and I couldn't have been more incorrect. That's what I get for choosing a book without reading the summary. (I almost never read the summaries.)
I found it confusing that the author wrote about how the "Millennialists", an ultra-conservative Christian fundamentalist group forsake science (sound familiar?) yet the rebels turn to magic/witchcraft instead of science for most of their needs. I think she does a disservice to her message--that an eco-utopia is something worth striving for and possibly attainable. Magic should have nothing to do with it.
If you are a fan of fantasy, then you will probably like this book more than I did.
I found it confusing that the author wrote about how the "Millennialists", an ultra-conservative Christian fundamentalist group forsake science (sound familiar?) yet the rebels turn to magic/witchcraft instead of science for most of their needs. I think she does a disservice to her message--that an eco-utopia is something worth striving for and possibly attainable. Magic should have nothing to do with it.
If you are a fan of fantasy, then you will probably like this book more than I did.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
Too boring and long to read. Author goes into too much detail to the point I felt like I was reading an essay. Characters were bland and uninteresting. Too much sex.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
an interesting solarpunk like book, with some fantasy mixed in.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Eating disorder, Racism, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Dementia, Religious bigotry, Colonisation, Pandemic/Epidemic
Loved the main characters and the utopian vs dystopian societies. I liked how all of the different spiritualities were combined in the north. I equally liked bird and madrone, but my favorite character was maya. Very emotional. The author did a good job of keeping me tuned into the world and wanting to keep reading.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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:
No
I loved this book.
Look, I just really love this book.
I know it's got some bits that are cheesy and bits that are overly didactic and also I've been a witch since 1994 and I still don't know how to make crystals function as computers. But. The storytelling is really compelling and this book still offers one of the most inspiring fictional visions of nonviolent resistance that I've ever read. <3
I know it's got some bits that are cheesy and bits that are overly didactic and also I've been a witch since 1994 and I still don't know how to make crystals function as computers. But. The storytelling is really compelling and this book still offers one of the most inspiring fictional visions of nonviolent resistance that I've ever read. <3
After reading many dystopic novels, a novel about utopia was refreshing to read! The story rotates around a futuristic San Francisco that is based in Pagan spiritual values, mutual consensus governance, and an ecological-centered economy. The characters, though, travel to non-liberated territories and fight alongside other resisters, and then resist nonviolently against war at home. It was long but all the details built a beautiful vision of a possible world.
I love Starhawk, and I'm on the fence about giving this a 3 or a 4.
Moving exploration of. utopia and dystopia in an apocalyptic California. Stories deeply rooted in this particular landscape to expose the beauty we contain and all the aggression which lays beside it.