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lyvthereader's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
skypirateb's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
psalva's review against another edition
3.5
The plot was twisty and the characters were interesting. While I felt a bit unsatisfied with some aspects of the story, I think the writing itself was strong. It’s probably the first time I read a novel with a clearly defined neurodivergent MC. Aster’s experience of the world is not treated as just a vague label. It is richly explored but also not infantilized, which I appreciated. I’m looking forward to reading more of Solomon’s work!
dqrklightning's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
lizzycatslibrary's review against another edition
4.0
This book really had me until the very end. I liked the characters. The story was interesting. It reminded me of the Hunger Games in a weird way. Really promising first book from this author. I was a little disappointed in the ending as I felt it was rather rushed. Looking forward to reading more from Rivers Solomon.
mirrorslament's review against another edition
4.0
To be entirely frank, there were a lot of things I struggled with in this book. I couldn’t fully get into any of the characters’ headspace. I found scenes sometimes disjointed or disassociated. I was frustrated sometimes with choices characters made. But all of that is part of why I ended up completely incapable of putting this book down.
Trauma can do a lot to a person. Generational trauma even more. Solomon represented that well, to the point of discomfort. Each moment makes sense, even when it’s frustrating from a story standpoint— sometimes realistic responses don’t make for the most linear stories, sometimes trauma doesn’t make for the most likable personalities. But not every character has to be likable.
I struggle a bit to put into words how much I adored this book. When I think back on it, my mind tends to focus on how disconnected I felt, how it sometimes felt as though I were floating through the story in a haze. But in the final moments I, much like Aster, finally felt grounded.
If you’re thinking about picking this up, do so. If you have even a vague interest, beautiful writing and a compelling plot carry An Unkindness of Ghosts through the stars, to land right where it needs to be: among one of the best books I’ve read in the last five years.
Trauma can do a lot to a person. Generational trauma even more. Solomon represented that well, to the point of discomfort. Each moment makes sense, even when it’s frustrating from a story standpoint— sometimes realistic responses don’t make for the most linear stories, sometimes trauma doesn’t make for the most likable personalities. But not every character has to be likable.
I struggle a bit to put into words how much I adored this book. When I think back on it, my mind tends to focus on how disconnected I felt, how it sometimes felt as though I were floating through the story in a haze. But in the final moments I, much like Aster, finally felt grounded.
If you’re thinking about picking this up, do so. If you have even a vague interest, beautiful writing and a compelling plot carry An Unkindness of Ghosts through the stars, to land right where it needs to be: among one of the best books I’ve read in the last five years.
coppercrane2's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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
wardenred's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Thank Heavens for their misplaced belief that only the most holy should be in charge of the direction of Matilda’s journey, as that belief led to a good many of them dying.
Looking back, I knew from the get go that this was a book about slavery set in the confines of an inescapable generation ship. I shouldn’t be at all surprised at how dark this got. Still, somehow, I was completely unprepared for the sheer brutality of this setting, and yet barely able to put the book down. Dark as fuck, yes, but so compelling.
I think a big part of the impact was the approach the author took to describing the traumatic events faced by the characters. Only rarely do the events themselves get the spotlight. For the most part, the focus is either on the build up to them, or the aftermath, or on occasion, something is described in a few sparing, detailless sentences that focus on the utter mundanity of things that shouldn’t be happening to people at all. Altogether it creates a truly chilling effect.
What I found the most striking were all the human connections forming in this utter darkness, all these people figuring out ways to be kind to each other, to learn, to find the strength for another day. Aster, Theo, Giselle, Melusine are all going to live rent-free in my head for a while now, I’m sure. Especially Aster. I loved her so much. She’s clearly some type of neurodivergent and her way of interacting with the world was so interesting to me. I’ve seen reviews saying she didn’t form deep connections because of her unemotional disposition, but I disagree with it a lot—I feel like the connections were very much there, just processed and expressed differently than is common for neurotypical individuals.
Despite all the feelings and thoughts the book made me experience, I do have some half-complaints, mostly about the pacing: I felt like the story took a long while to start going anywhere, other than just being a snapshot of an oppressive, claustrophobic dystopia, but then the ending was rushed. It’s a bit like the book started as a character/situation study and then decided to develop a stronger plot a tad too late. That lack of balance didn’t take away from the powerful delivery of the themes, but it did made the narrative harder to process.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexism, Suicide, Slavery, Confinement, Racism, Violence, Death, Ableism, Misogyny, Homophobia, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
laura_corsi's review against another edition
5.0
So good! A wonderful adventure in a dystopian future. Do yourself a favor and check this one out. It is so far from Hunger Games or Divergent as to be laughable. This one feels much more authentic and real.
laura_corsi's review against another edition
5.0
So good! A wonderful adventure in a dystopian future. Do yourself a favor and check this one out. It is so far from Hunger Games or Divergent as to be laughable. This one feels much more authentic and real.