Reviews

The Core of the Sun by Johanna Sinisalo

hileahrious's review against another edition

5.0

Expertly written... Sinisalo takes a not-so-uncommon theme (the domestication of women) and makes it into so much more. It's brilliant how she combines the eusistocratic world, a drug addiction, the bond between sisters, and a spiritual transcendence to create and beautifully finish the story. The chili pepper addiction may seem like an extra, but the book's resolution wouldn't be possible without it. Amazing. Not to mention the style, the cut-and-paste way of mixing first-person narratives with letters, articles, and definitions that cleverly add to the story while necessarily informing the reader of the author's fictional world. Also, as a chili on top, filled with a feminist-friendly satire. Weird, suspenseful, highly recommended.

eva_ave's review

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

strawfly14's review against another edition

3.0

Este libro me genera sentimientos encontrados porque creo que la idea es muy buena pero el desarrollo no tanto. No es que no me haya gustado, porque me ha gustado, pero no he terminado de entenderlo del todo bien y creo que tenía potencial para algo bastante más grande de lo que es. Al menos se lee rápido y me enganchó la historia inicial, pero sí es cierto que para mí empieza mejor de lo que luego termina siendo.

allisonraderreads's review

5.0

Such an interesting read!

gabrielleint's review

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was a fun dystopia. It was very prescient to the incel movement, although I’m sure the incel movement was known in 2013 I’m not sure how widespread that knowledge was. Also if I had a nickel for ever time I read a book about a dystopian fascistic society in which eating food was maligned and treated as an addiction, I would have two nickels. Which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it’s happened twice. 

rubusarcticus's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

r3v0l0n41p's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful tense fast-paced

5.0

sepptb's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

eowyns_helmet's review

3.0

Well, the beginning of this book is unlike anything you've read, guaranteed (ouch). I didn't really buy the premise and none of the characters really stood out -- but page to page there were some interesting scenes and ideas, so I did skim it. She's often a very striking writer, but the whole was too far-fetched for me. Beautifully translated!

megatsunami's review

4.0

Wow. The opening scene of this book is unforgettable.
The pacing felt a little off in the middle of this book, and there were some things I didn't find believable about the world building, but on the whole I really enjoyed this story.