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lgtl's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
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? No
3.5
A well written post apocalyptic fiction where the lead character experiences a shit ton of traumatic things. I don’t know if I was in a mood for reading that but I still did anyway.
theburnedhand's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
abstrace's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
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? Yes
5.0
hanlue's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Child death, and Rape
mackjonezz's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Huuuuuge bummer of a story. Loved the premise, but prose was tedious and hard to get through.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Violence, War, Sexual assault, Child death, and Rape
Will be very disturbing for sensitive readers.divsies's review against another edition
3.0
Would I have finished reading this book if it weren't for a class? Maybe not. Probably not. That is a biased take though - I've been in a vicious reading slump lately, but I was also not a fan of the writing in the book's latter half. I wasn't interested in the narrative once the highway sections really got going -- the plot felt stagnant and character development virtually stopped.
Regardless, this book asks so many interesting questions about life, humanity, and the near future (or, more realistically, considering it's nearly 2023 already, the present).
I've found that with sci-fi and dystopia, it's often far too easy to mentally check out from the narrative and just imagine that the story takes place in an alternate universe. Authors shy away from using existing scientific, religious, and political terms to better hold up the suspension of disbelief. Butler, however, constantly reminds us that this novel is in a near-future California, and the situation gets exponentially more grave with that realization. I liked that this novel emphasizes the role of humanity and civilization in the downfall of society. Science wasn't the corporate villain behind collapse, it was our way of life. The ignorance of the masses and the casual denial we live in.
Good read to start the academic year with. Hopefully I end up reading the other books assigned to me too lol.
Regardless, this book asks so many interesting questions about life, humanity, and the near future (or, more realistically, considering it's nearly 2023 already, the present).
I've found that with sci-fi and dystopia, it's often far too easy to mentally check out from the narrative and just imagine that the story takes place in an alternate universe. Authors shy away from using existing scientific, religious, and political terms to better hold up the suspension of disbelief. Butler, however, constantly reminds us that this novel is in a near-future California, and the situation gets exponentially more grave with that realization. I liked that this novel emphasizes the role of humanity and civilization in the downfall of society. Science wasn't the corporate villain behind collapse, it was our way of life. The ignorance of the masses and the casual denial we live in.
Good read to start the academic year with. Hopefully I end up reading the other books assigned to me too lol.
katsdaysarebooked's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
rosecontreras's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
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? No
4.5