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athenas99's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was great! Really well-researched and it was clear a lot of blood, sweat and tears went into this novel. It was a true climate epic and the way Markley projects the most pressing technological and social trends of our time into the future was truly impressive and a little scary. I mean, by the end of the book, there’s a cult worshipping the AI God. But seriously, he takes on topics like VR, the panopticon / police state, political lobbying by Big Oil, and of course, climate change, and weaves it all together in a mostly seamless way. I do have some gripes about how Kate Morris was written (she’s something of the enlightened man’s edgy Manic Pixie Dream Girl), but those brief pages of her POV completely changed my perspective on her and endeared her to me. I wanted to see more of her voice, instead of seeing her through the eyes of other people (mostly her kind of lame long-term boyfriend). I also loved that Markley incorporated fake news articles and op-eds, in addition to balancing POV chapters that followed 6-ish characters from all walks of life. You’ll be glad you read it. You’ll certainly be a bit smarter. And I hope for all of our sakes that this book doesn’t prove to be prophetic.
beelo's review against another edition
I'm just getting too frustrated with the characters, the manic pixie dream girl, and the conservatism. I really want to like this book so I may try again another time.
mikehex's review against another edition
dark
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
isantelli5764's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
Fire.
rochelles_reading_journal's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
alishoe's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
3.75
pattitude47's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
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
5.0
remmie's review against another edition
2.0
Did not finish - I wanted to like this book, I really did. The problem is all too relevant and heartbreakingly on our doorstep. The writing is dense and changes point of view abruptly, but I could have lived with it if the plot was more compelling.
Ultimately, it feels self indulgent - to the point where I couldn't even skim read to the end. It boils down to a manic pixie dream girl swooping in starting yet another environmental activist movement but this time it saves the day. It is hard to swallow, becoming a plot that grates rather than inspires.
The idea that if only we let Republicans keep their guns and their stance on abortion and then they'll magically care about the environment also feels naive at best. My biggest problem with this book is that all these ideas have been tried and haven't moved the needle on climate action - the author, probably unintentionally, seems to suggest that all climate activism needs is a hot, young, somewhat manic leader - which as a trope feels a bit trite and in reality would be just another drop in the ocean...
Ultimately, it feels self indulgent - to the point where I couldn't even skim read to the end. It boils down to a manic pixie dream girl swooping in starting yet another environmental activist movement but this time it saves the day. It is hard to swallow, becoming a plot that grates rather than inspires.
The idea that if only we let Republicans keep their guns and their stance on abortion and then they'll magically care about the environment also feels naive at best. My biggest problem with this book is that all these ideas have been tried and haven't moved the needle on climate action - the author, probably unintentionally, seems to suggest that all climate activism needs is a hot, young, somewhat manic leader - which as a trope feels a bit trite and in reality would be just another drop in the ocean...
greg_fox's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
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
5.0
salpat's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5