Reviews

We Are the Crisis by Cadwell Turnbull

Only show reviews with written explanations

yuck1209's review

challenging dark mysterious 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

4.0

Reflecting on this book, it’s kind of an unusual pick for me in that it’s not as character-driven as other reads I gravitate towards. What I find interesting about it is its depiction of large scale social change through the actions of small groups or initiatives.

On the one hand, it made me think of Emergent Strategy or A Half-Built Garden, both of which feel like optimistic interpretations of enacting change at both a micro and macro level.

On the other, the fact that the story focuses so much on a brewing conflict stoked by shadow organizations (which some of our characters struggle to decipher or are perilously caught between) feels insidious when applied to our own society.

However… as democratic as we purport to be, there are plenty of instances where the will of a minority group overrides popular opinion. With that in mind, I think the inclusion of Alex and the parallel with intelligence ops was an inspired choice.

I thought the heavy emphasis on co-ops was also an interesting thread throughout. In a time where more people recognize capitalism as a harmful, oppressive system that enables inequities, it makes sense that monsters and other marginalized groups would need to seek other methods for communal and economic support.

I rated it somewhat lower than the first book since it’s very much setting up the finale

and it ends on a cliffhanger

rustbeltjessie's review

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challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

3.5

lazlee's review

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dark emotional mysterious

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

3.5

coffeesearcher's review

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challenging dark emotional medium-paced

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

4.0

edunbar87's review against another edition

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adventurous 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? It's complicated

4.0

encgolsen's review

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious 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

4.25

It would've been helpful to have a cast of characters list at the start of this sequel to No Gods No Monsters. It took a minute to sort out who everyone was and where the last book had left them. Once it got rolling, this was an engaging and thought-provoking look at the increasing tension in a world where monsters are both real and increasingly visible. Also, kind of obsessed with co-ops. I'll definitely read book 3 after that cliffhanger ending.