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jchinzi's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
hannahccb's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
4.25
An interesting science fiction based in China in the near future, with cyber-punk and eco themes.
grayjay's review against another edition
3.0
This dense novel from Chinese author Chen Quifan brings together corporate espionage, economic assassination, pollution, romance, and giant robots.
While I appreciated the ideological background of the novel, I found it difficult to find a character I could sympathize with. Scott Brandle seems to be the protagonist but he is morally ambiguous and kind of a wet blanket. Mimi would be the second choice but, while she is easy to sympathize with, she is hard to relate to.
While I appreciated the ideological background of the novel, I found it difficult to find a character I could sympathize with. Scott Brandle seems to be the protagonist but he is morally ambiguous and kind of a wet blanket. Mimi would be the second choice but, while she is easy to sympathize with, she is hard to relate to.
okto's review against another edition
2.0
En välittänyt kirjasta ollenkaan. Hahmot olivat ärsyttäviä, juoni oli monimutkainen ja naisten kuvaus ihan hirveää. Siis kaikki osat huonoon lukukokemukseen. Kirjan keskellä oleva pitkä raiskauskohtaus oli hirveä, enkä usko sen olevan tarpeellinen, päinvastoin. Lopussa mielenkiintoni heräsi hieman ennen kun se taas lopahti. Minulle jäi monta kysymystä, joihin en saanut vastausta, mutta se saattaa johtua siittä että silmäni alkoivat hyppimään eteenpäin tylsyyden takia. Harmittelen, että ostin tämän kirjan enkä esim. lainannut sitä kirjastosta, jolloin olisin helpommin jättänyt sen kesken.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
karinlib's review against another edition
2.0
I gave this a two star because I thought writing was fine, and the translation by Ken Liu was fine. I just didn't really like the story, even though I liked the premise.
woolandwhiskey's review against another edition
This is an excellent, well-written book with an intriguing premise. It was just a bit too bleak for me right now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture and Violence
atagarev's review against another edition
3.0
Very interesting world and a strong beginning. A rather underwhelming ending with poorly written action. Really excessive use of sexual assault and damsels in distress as motivations for male characters.
The best parts of this book were a fascinating perspective on issues facing the whole world (climate change, pollution, globalization, varied rates of technological progress) and exploring themes of immigration and human ties to "their" land. The worst parts were underwhelmingly executed tropes you've seen in a dozen other stories in the same way but better. On sum, I think unfortunately the latter outweighed the former for me.
The best parts of this book were a fascinating perspective on issues facing the whole world (climate change, pollution, globalization, varied rates of technological progress) and exploring themes of immigration and human ties to "their" land. The worst parts were underwhelmingly executed tropes you've seen in a dozen other stories in the same way but better. On sum, I think unfortunately the latter outweighed the former for me.