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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
Loved this!
There's been a big sci-fi trend recently towards intelligent and organic spacecraft - from the AI come to life in Anne Leckie's Radch books, the alien creatures harnessed in Yoon Ha Lee's Hexarcate books, and even hollowed-out space beasts the nuns lived in the novella Sisters of the Vast Black.
This is the first book I've read that makes life on an organic ship front and centre, and it's brought to life in a visceral and compelling way. I loved the descriptions of all of the organs and bodily cavities are characters work their way through - from the heart to multiple sphincters! The book brilliantly weaves the gory practicalities of space-faring in such a vessel with the politics of tens of thousands of humans cramped into such an environment.
Our protagonists are heir to matrilineal throne Seske, and lower-class beast-worker Adalla. Class is a major theme throughout, and the author does an excellent job in showing how stratification works across the entire ship. This isn't just a binary rich and poor system; even within the beast-workers they have their own hierarchy according to which part of the body they work, and beneath them are mute waif-like bucket carriers that aren't even treated as human at all.
Similarly, in the upper echelons, the political and family systems that have developed as a result of generations spent with limited space and resources are incredibly well imagined. We're a little late into the story before we discover if there are any other humans living like this, but all told I was really impressed with the universe building.
Character-wise, I was worried at first that both Seske and Adalla might be a bit too similar with their headstrong approach to life, but each does come into their own and are compelling heroines in their own right. Each has high-stakes storylines that weave together nicely, exploring the rights that humans and space beasts themselves should have. It's not just a case of these two mooning over each other, there's a great cast of side characters that get fairly well rounded out and help us to explore other aspects of their weird society.
I'll definitely be checking out Nicky Drayden's other books off the back of this!
There's been a big sci-fi trend recently towards intelligent and organic spacecraft - from the AI come to life in Anne Leckie's Radch books, the alien creatures harnessed in Yoon Ha Lee's Hexarcate books, and even hollowed-out space beasts the nuns lived in the novella Sisters of the Vast Black.
This is the first book I've read that makes life on an organic ship front and centre, and it's brought to life in a visceral and compelling way. I loved the descriptions of all of the organs and bodily cavities are characters work their way through - from the heart to multiple sphincters! The book brilliantly weaves the gory practicalities of space-faring in such a vessel with the politics of tens of thousands of humans cramped into such an environment.
Our protagonists are heir to matrilineal throne Seske, and lower-class beast-worker Adalla. Class is a major theme throughout, and the author does an excellent job in showing how stratification works across the entire ship. This isn't just a binary rich and poor system; even within the beast-workers they have their own hierarchy according to which part of the body they work, and beneath them are mute waif-like bucket carriers that aren't even treated as human at all.
Similarly, in the upper echelons, the political and family systems that have developed as a result of generations spent with limited space and resources are incredibly well imagined. We're a little late into the story before we discover if there are any other humans living like this, but all told I was really impressed with the universe building.
Character-wise, I was worried at first that both Seske and Adalla might be a bit too similar with their headstrong approach to life, but each does come into their own and are compelling heroines in their own right. Each has high-stakes storylines that weave together nicely, exploring the rights that humans and space beasts themselves should have. It's not just a case of these two mooning over each other, there's a great cast of side characters that get fairly well rounded out and help us to explore other aspects of their weird society.
I'll definitely be checking out Nicky Drayden's other books off the back of this!
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is my first space opera but definitely not the last. This book is mind boggling! I am unflinchingly drawn to the oddities and struggle of the lead protagonist. There’s also serious messages on sexuality, duty, and morality.
⠀
I could not imagine getting not one but nine sessions of “the talk” on sex! Talk about uncomfortable situations.
⠀
I could not imagine getting not one but nine sessions of “the talk” on sex! Talk about uncomfortable situations.
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Death, Gore
Moderate: Slavery, Torture, Vomit, Classism
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
This is more of a three star for the story and development, but I'm giving an extra star for the super inventive and squishy world-building.
This was great! It’s very weird and as the author mentions at the end it does include the word “tentacle-cooch” so fair warning. The world building is really cool with a matriarchical society, space beasts that double as ships, and just lots of .... goo? So if you’re not into goo and tentacles probably best avoid this one. But if you’re looking for a unique, queer sci-fi, check this one out!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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:
Yes
This had some really disturbing mismatches between theme and implementation that come in the form of sexual assault and rape, and the main romantic relationship is pretty toxic. The ending is abrupt and unsatisfying due to both of those problems. Had some really cool ideas in it so I'm fine having read and finished it, but I would never recommend it to someone else.
Generation ships inside massive space beasts! This was so fun.
This was the most imaginative book I've read in a long time. Not sure it's my thing but it's definitely exceptional.