Scan barcode
hayleyyyyy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
fast-paced
- 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
4.75
gilbertbg1's review against another edition
3.0
Solid 3.5 stars!!
I wanted to love this book, and I did really enjoy it, but it just ended up not hitting the points I had hoped it would hit. The book is framed as being about a girl who is "sowing the seeds of civil war" but that plot never really hit for me. There was definitely undertones and there was the creeping sense of bigger things, but the resolution of that plot felt like it just did not hit the mark for me. There were definitely aspects that hit hard and hit well, but overall the political/social uprising aspect felt like the least developed plot. Also, at times this book was very slow and while I stayed interested, it didn't keep me gripped the way I had hoped.
However, the characters in this book, and the world building done here, were excellent. I loved following Aster through her world, I loved experiencing everything through her eyes. This book was also did not pull its punches, which lent itself to a gritty, sometimes hard to witness world for the people in Aster's community. The mistreatment by the guards, the wealthy, and the government was harsh and there was no attempt to sugarcoat or gloss over any of it. I liked that this book refused to be anything but frank about what it was.
I also really enjoyed the underlying plot about Aster finally being able to understand her mother's journals and investigating and learning and the culmination of that plot. The final scene was heart wrenching, but it felt so incredibly earned and well thought out. All in all, a very good book, and one I would recommend, but just not a favourite for me.
I wanted to love this book, and I did really enjoy it, but it just ended up not hitting the points I had hoped it would hit. The book is framed as being about a girl who is "sowing the seeds of civil war" but that plot never really hit for me. There was definitely undertones and there was the creeping sense of bigger things, but the resolution of that plot felt like it just did not hit the mark for me. There were definitely aspects that hit hard and hit well, but overall the political/social uprising aspect felt like the least developed plot. Also, at times this book was very slow and while I stayed interested, it didn't keep me gripped the way I had hoped.
However, the characters in this book, and the world building done here, were excellent. I loved following Aster through her world, I loved experiencing everything through her eyes. This book was also did not pull its punches, which lent itself to a gritty, sometimes hard to witness world for the people in Aster's community. The mistreatment by the guards, the wealthy, and the government was harsh and there was no attempt to sugarcoat or gloss over any of it. I liked that this book refused to be anything but frank about what it was.
I also really enjoyed the underlying plot about Aster finally being able to understand her mother's journals and investigating and learning and the culmination of that plot. The final scene was heart wrenching, but it felt so incredibly earned and well thought out. All in all, a very good book, and one I would recommend, but just not a favourite for me.
misschelle007's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
amy_rose29's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
4.0
palebea's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
This is such a gritty, beautifully written book with really interesting, diverse and complex characters. The world building is wonderful. It's a gnarly read as it's a dystopian exploration of class and racism in a violent and oppressive regime.
I feel like the world building took priority over the solving of the mystery. The mystery is solved but it was a little tricky to follow at times but truthfully, that did not take away any sort of enjoyment from the book. It was gripping.
I understand why the ending was where it was. There was a sense of completeness there but I also would love to have continued following Aster but I understand why we don't. The book's impressiveness rests on the building of the ships politics.
I feel like the world building took priority over the solving of the mystery. The mystery is solved but it was a little tricky to follow at times but truthfully, that did not take away any sort of enjoyment from the book. It was gripping.
I understand why the ending was where it was. There was a sense of completeness there but I also would love to have continued following Aster but I understand why we don't. The book's impressiveness rests on the building of the ships politics.
hazelwood's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
An absolute masterpiece. Octavia Butler would have loved this, I think. The characters are so so realistic! The neurodivergent representation! The gender nonconformity! The aspec representation! The dissection of power and trauma and grief! Not to mention the beautiful use of language and intensely detailed worldbuilding! I am gathering up Aster and Theo and Giselle and Ainy and Pippi and Mabel and Flick and Lune and I am forever holding them close to my heart where they can be safe. I only wish for another book, or an afterword, or something so I can know if it all turned out okay!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual harassment, Suicide attempt, Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Death, Gun violence, Medical content, Misogyny, Murder, Self harm, Toxic friendship, Transphobia, Vomit, Ableism, Emotional abuse, Grief, Homophobia, Sexual violence, Slavery, Confinement, Excrement, Gore, Sexual assault, Cursing, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, and Violence
emath98's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0