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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
The first two-thirds of this book were fantastic. The final third felt rushed and sloppy. Had potential, was ultimately disappointed.
It was a very good story, almost classically SF, but with enough thought put into it I would consider it for high school curricula. It got a bit YA for me in the middle (where characters seem focused on who loves whom, anyone might be a partner) but veered away from that. Almost a too pat ending, but not quite. We don’t stick around in the story to see the work that goes into revamping society, so I consider this perhaps YA in that way, too. Young guns, just starting.
Oof. The premise and world building is so cool, but rest of the book really just misses the mark and fails to live up to the promise of the conceit. I found the plot elements around gender dynamics particularly frustrating. There’s some vaguely interesting, superficial business around non-traditional family structures, but mostly the hyper-matriarchal society at the center of the book just ends up being “what if men were treated like women???” instead of anything more thoughtful. And, spoilers, the conclusion of the book is that the black matriarchal society is saved by copying the white men, who really had it right all along. I don’t think Nicky Drayden wrote that turn of events “on purpose”, but… It is what she wrote.
I really, REALLY love the concept of this book. I think it's a fresh take on a genre that (according to the 'classics') is exceedingly white and male driven. The pacing, though was all over the place. I waited so long for the story to pick up speed, and when it did, I only got glimpses of all these cool elements as they rushed to an abrupt end. This should have been a much longer book, and I would have eaten up every minute!
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Good but with some flaws. Weird pacing and frustrating characters with weird amounts of influence. Plus I didn’t expect or want the inclusion of (TW/spoiler) pregnancy tentacles .
3.5
This is the third book by Nicky Drayden that I’ve read - I found Prey of Gods intriguing, while Temper was disappointing in comparison, and Escaping Exodus turned out to be a combination of the two. It’s clear that Drayden has some great ideas, especially when it comes to the worldbuilding of this book. However, the execution is where it falls short. The pacing and plot are uneven, and while reading I got the impression that the author was fast-forwarding through parts of the plot that she didn’t want to write or didn't care about in order to focus on what she did. Most authors do this, since it’s not like they can describe literally everything that happens between plot points A and B, but they do it naturally enough so that it isn’t noticeable, or at least doesn't throw you out of the story. Anyway, the extremely interesting and unique world (in addition to the f/f romance!) almost made up for the pacing issues, but not quite.
This is the third book by Nicky Drayden that I’ve read - I found Prey of Gods intriguing, while Temper was disappointing in comparison, and Escaping Exodus turned out to be a combination of the two. It’s clear that Drayden has some great ideas, especially when it comes to the worldbuilding of this book. However, the execution is where it falls short. The pacing and plot are uneven, and while reading I got the impression that the author was fast-forwarding through parts of the plot that she didn’t want to write or didn't care about in order to focus on what she did. Most authors do this, since it’s not like they can describe literally everything that happens between plot points A and B, but they do it naturally enough so that it isn’t noticeable, or at least doesn't throw you out of the story. Anyway, the extremely interesting and unique world (in addition to the f/f romance!) almost made up for the pacing issues, but not quite.
Spoiler
Okay I also need to add that I have no idea what Drayden was trying to do with the character of Sisterkin - she's treated pretty badly in this society through no fault of her own, and we're all just supposed to accept this as right and proper? I really expected some interrogation of this on or near the level to which the matriarchy and beast exploitation were questioned. Sure, this could happen later in the series but why cram so much into this one book and not that?
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
The gender flipped 1950's matriarchy was the least interesting part of the book. Kind of heavy-handed, it nonetheless set a good background for societal change. Throw in some love stories and overbearing parents, and you've got a solid YA SciFi novel. I did really enjoy the spaceships as well. Quite an interesting take.
LGBTQIA positive
Minor misogyny and rascism
LGBTQIA positive
Minor misogyny and rascism
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
The premise of this book is fascinating. The world building is both enthralling and disgusting and I couldn't tear my eyes away from it.
As for the characterization, there is a lot to be desired. Seske is a flimsy character, perpetually unsure of herself and woefully inept. Adalla adapts too quickly and without warning. There is little history explained between the two of them or, indeed, about the world at all. The entire book is one freewheeling crisis after another. Ideas, people, and places are introduced and then violently discarded in rapid succession.
Queer? Sure. Romance? Absolutely not. It's messy.
As for the characterization, there is a lot to be desired. Seske is a flimsy character, perpetually unsure of herself and woefully inept. Adalla adapts too quickly and without warning. There is little history explained between the two of them or, indeed, about the world at all. The entire book is one freewheeling crisis after another. Ideas, people, and places are introduced and then violently discarded in rapid succession.
Queer? Sure. Romance? Absolutely not. It's messy.