Scan barcode
toopunkrockforshul's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Confinement, Slavery, Violence, and Medical content
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, and Abortion
Minor: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Terminal illness, and Death of parent
This books setting deals with slavery and all the trauma and abuses that come with it. Difficult to determine which levels to put certain themes, as a lot is implied rather than explicitly stated/described but may still be triggeringmariebrunelm's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, and Abortion
Moderate: Eating disorder, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
bonusturniptwaddler's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Rape, Suicide, Violence, Police brutality, Medical content, Medical trauma, Abortion, Death of parent, and Murder
ehmannky's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Also this isn't, like, smart or insightful like so many of the other reviews here but
TW: A lot of talk of suicide, suicide ideation, suicidal tendencies, etc. I feel like most people who get into the book like me are aware that it's going to incorporate slavery and get into the graphic and horrific slavery based on the real life horrors of America, but I do not know if I was aware of just how much suicide was in this book. As someone with a personal experience with loss from suicide, it wasn't enough to put me off, but it could be for others.
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Drug use and Homophobia
Minor: Pregnancy
gdobson's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Abortion
megplant's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
hanarama's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I really loved the coding of Aster as neurodivergent. Solomon characterizes her as unwavering and immensely intelligent while also traits that read as neurodivergent. She stims as she navigates the ship, she fixated, and she has difficulty with metaphors. Solomon has real skill in creating characters that feel like complete people.
This is a really intense book. As would be expected of a sci-fi slave story, there aren't a lot of "happy" moments. Moments of respite maybe, but not really any truly happy moments and the book can feel pretty bleak at times. The plot is not as tightly written as it perhaps could have been at the end, but Solomon still makes powerful statements on systemic racism and acts of resistance.
Graphic: Ableism, Body horror, Child death, Death, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Abortion, and Death of parent
kelseaduguid's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Child death, Death, Hate crime, Racism, Police brutality, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Vomit
blandblanket's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Police brutality, Medical content, Medical trauma, Abortion, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Minor: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Vomit, Grief, and Death of parent
The book -- as marvelous a read as it is -- does handle a lot of heavy topics that could be too much for some readers. As it deals with topics of classism/racism/colorism/sexism, there are many instances in the book that talk about those topics and the struggles that come with them -- physical, social, and mental. The main character does talk quite a bit in medical terms and performs/assists in medical procedures. There is content re: physical/sexual assault and allusions to it. Though not explicit or detailed, it could be sensitive to some readers just to read/hear references to those sort of events.xoodlebooks's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Death, Drug use, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Vomit, and Death of parent
Minor: Infertility