Reviews

This is a tough one for me to rate. Objectively, I fully see how this is a 5 star read for a lot of people. The writing is impeccable and mesmerizing and enthralling. It’s absolutely remarkable to be reading this in 2024, where the “futuristic” setting begins, knowing that this was written in 1993. It’s terrifyingly close to a reality that’s not too far away from us - a dystopian, marshal law-esque society, where climate change has rocked and destroyed the economy, nature, and society as a whole to the point where all structure is lost. You have to fight for your life daily and learn how to become self sufficient, and pray you can find somewhere to exist safely. Where this loses me is the very heavy handed religious overtones, the idea of our MC starting her own religion (cult?) and trying to write her own “bible” and recruit people along the way. This could just be my own religious trauma actively rejecting the idea and wanting it as far away from me as possible. Either way I think it’s absolutely a feat in storytelling and I can’t help but be blown away by the pieces of this future she created 30 years ago that are so disturbingly close to where we are headed. It’s an uncomfortable read on purpose, and in that I can only give a huge round of applause.

brijahlay's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

midnight_toker's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

analia's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.25

Eerie and powerful. Listening to this audiobook in 2024 knowing she wrote this two decades ago, realizing how little has changed is…heavy. The book is slow but worthwhile. It hit close to home because of the setting for me, and made me reflect on the decisions many are forced to make during dire circumstances. I loved the protagonist and her belief system. Although it was heavy it does have optimism, driven by the main character’s outlook. My first Octavia book but definitely not my last.

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