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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
I had no idea what to expect from this formidable tome, but it felt high time I read it. The copy I borrowed from the library is so worn and loved I felt justified in my desire to carry it everywhere, and I found myself sneaking moments to read whenever I could. The story pushed all of my buttons - a dystopian future where the nonviolent artsy pagans go up against capitalist, moralistic warmongers (much like The City Not Long After); the Stewards' fear and demonization of non-whites and their culture; a reverence for the natural world; and a character-driven story vivid and compelling. I loved it, even as I can see why its critics are frustrated. This book, holding the Bay Area in its loving embrace, is a treasure. May you never thirst.
I'd give this book 2.5 stars. I was really uncomfortable with the author's special focus on penetrative sex (she really seemed to like having long discriptions of it) even to the extent that she felt like she needed to describe penetrative intercourse of bees (blagh!). I also didn't like the focus on 'group sex'. The book was interesting most of the time but wasn't compelling or very thought provoking.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-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:
Yes
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Genocide, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Violence, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, War
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Murder, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Death of parent, Deportation
This is one of my all-time favorites! I've re-read it a few times. Thank you for gifting the world with this gem! I bought the rest of the series but haven't gotten around to reading it yet.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
fast-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:
Complicated
Blessed bees. What happens when a Utopian and a dystopian society clash? Can the Utopians defend themselves without giving up their core values? Starhawk's writing may lack luster in certain areas, but it is all heart. What I enjoyed most was experiencing her vision of a living, breathing society based on eco-feminist Wiccan principles.
I surprised myself by how much I enjoyed this. The new age stuff almost caused me to put the book down in the first few chapters, but I stuck with it and really enjoyed it. There's definitely points where that stuff still caused my eyes to gloss over a little, but overall the book has really stuck with me. It's also shockingly brutal at points, in ways that are hard to read, but probably contribute to the book sticking in my mind. If nothing else the images of the barren dry South Lands changed how I look at the rivers by my house.
Re-read this recently. It held up incredibly well! I loved it. Did you know the hill Maya Greenwood and co. live on is Bernal Hill?!
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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