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imaginefishes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Murder, Ableism, and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Death and Sexual content
tessanie's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Murder and Death
Moderate: Animal death and Animal cruelty
Minor: War and Sexual content
cnohero's review against another edition
I have complex feelings about this book.
Pros: Excellent writing, and world building. Good science discussion for it's time. I found the desire to have a pet, and the scarcity both funny and sad.
Cons: I didn't find the characters very likeable.
(Rant) The sci-fi trope of men wanting to have sex with android women is just disturbing to me...
Graphic: Sexual content, Racism, Mental illness, and Violence
melchior's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Ableism
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Mental illness
Minor: Body shaming, Colonisation, Infertility, Infidelity, Sexual content, and War
kysariin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Sexual content and Mental illness
leona's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
To talk more about the strengths of this novel:
- Extremely quotable and thought-provoking
- Thematically, I think it is excellent.
The devotion to the virtually extinct animals from nearly all of the characters felt so real, and it was almost laughable in Deckard's case. It seems so absurd to us, with the animals that we take for granted, that someone could ever be so obssessed with possessing a real animal, or that I could feel such genuine remorse for Isidore's spider.
The way empathy, morality, and what it means to be human was explored was also incredibly engaging. Is an electric animal any less worthy of love than a real animal? To what extent can a robot be considered a human, and is it 'retiring' or 'murder' of the 'poor andys'? Is Deckard an android? I'm not convinced he is, but maybe upon re-read I could be persuaded otherwise. I'm sure someone else has summarised my thoughts on the theme exploration much more efficiently than I can, sorry, my head is a bit scrambled after reading this amazing novel.
- Also that cover is just stunning. Yes, don't judge a book by its cover but wow.
Despite the praise I have given this book, I have to mention that though it is relatable in terms of it's sci-fi themes, I do think this book was quite problematic. Women didn't have great representation, (every time one of the male characters set eyes on a woman they couldn't help but comment on how perfectly formed, high and large their breasts were), as well as the fact
People who struggle with animal abuse / death in books should also be warned before reading. There was
I think I would have given this book a 5 star rating if not for the problems I mentioned, or the confusion I felt at some points in the book, especially regarding Mercerism and the empathy box. I definitely think it is worth reading despite its flaws, and I do think it is for the most part accessible to teenagers as well (if any are worried about its contents.)
Graphic: Animal cruelty
Moderate: Animal death and Sexism
Minor: Sexual content and Fatphobia
bramlee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Ableism, Gaslighting, Sexism, Slavery, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual content, and Mental illness
Minor: Body shaming, Body horror, Drug use, and Suicidal thoughts
manarnia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Ableism
Moderate: Death, Violence, Gaslighting, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, and Mental illness
Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Abortion, and Sexual content
maneatingbadger's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Minor: Violence and Sexual content
heini's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.0
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Misogyny, Infidelity, Sexual content, and Sexism