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adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content
Minor: Homophobia, Death of parent, War
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed the first half of this book - it read like literary sci-fi with an interesting set up and it was fascinating to see the characters get to know each other. It's a pretty slow burn with a touch of mystery in the background although the main character never really interacts with the mystery, which is a little frustrating. The author uses some really interesting descriptions and metaphors, but a few of them didn't quite make sense.
The second (or maybe the last third) part I was less interested in. It turned into a sort of action novel, which was such a tone switch, and the creative descriptions dried up here because of the action, dialogue and reveals. The first part of the novel is very introverted and then I felt it turned super extroverted and I missed the original tone. I don't think it needed all that explanation and action plot at the end. I imagined it would be some sort of literary open ended vibe, like something Margaret Atwood might do.
I did think the very last few pages were satisfying and had more of the first-half tone in it. Overall, interesting read that had some unique and entertaining writing, but went a little off the rails in that one part. I'd definitely read her next book.
The second (or maybe the last third) part I was less interested in. It turned into a sort of action novel, which was such a tone switch, and the creative descriptions dried up here because of the action, dialogue and reveals. The first part of the novel is very introverted and then I felt it turned super extroverted and I missed the original tone. I don't think it needed all that explanation and action plot at the end. I imagined it would be some sort of literary open ended vibe, like something Margaret Atwood might do.
I did think the very last few pages were satisfying and had more of the first-half tone in it. Overall, interesting read that had some unique and entertaining writing, but went a little off the rails in that one part. I'd definitely read her next book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence
Minor: Death, Gun violence
challenging
emotional
funny
sad
fast-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
I adored this book. Dialogue heavy, yes, and the ending went a bit off the rails, but it all worked for me ultimately and didn’t distract from the story. The romance in the book was so gorgeous and I was fully sobbing by the end. It has been a while since a book evoked that type of emotion out of me!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Sexual content, Alcohol, War
Minor: Medical trauma
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Mental illness, Sexual content, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Kidnapping, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Cursing, Genocide, Gore, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Alcohol, War
Minor: Ableism, Confinement, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Slavery, Lesbophobia, Deportation, Pandemic/Epidemic
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
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
I loved the relationship between Gore and our protagonist, as well as the insight into the civil service in a way that painted a vivid picture of something simultaneously boring and chock full of intrigue.
The author’s writing style was so enjoyable and I stayed up til daylight to finish the book as the last few chapters really changed up the tone and became very hard to put down.
The characters were all important and beautifully written, even some that I wondered about at first.
The author’s writing style was so enjoyable and I stayed up til daylight to finish the book as the last few chapters really changed up the tone and became very hard to put down.
The characters were all important and beautifully written, even some that I wondered about at first.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, Cannibalism, Injury/Injury detail
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Racism, Sexual content
Minor: Cannibalism
challenging
emotional
tense
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Genocide
Minor: Homophobia
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
No
i’m so confused as to what the point was. i was excited about the concept in the beginning. then the mc just kept falling flat on making any solid points or reflections and it just turned into romanticizing some old navy dude that died horribly. concept fell off completely. ending was mostly predictable. romance just fell flat and felt incredibly awkward and gross. bleh
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship
Moderate: Cursing, Drug use, Grief
Minor: Cannibalism
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Colonisation, War
Moderate: Cannibalism
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
❝ There is no one left in the world who has known me for longer than a few months. I am a stranger in a strange land. ❞
I'm confused, perplexed, slightly concerned, and unable to fully grasp my thoughts and define my feelings... all at once. In a good way...I think?
There are so many themes woven into this story tackling a multitude of important conversations. Yet, at its very core is a story about identity, responsibility, forgiveness, hope. Several characters who stand out for me, with certainly some favourites -- Arthur, Maggie, Graham. I don't know if the term 'precious' is appropriate in this instance but they are the highlight of my reading experience. 🤍
The genre of this book is a bit all over the place - science fiction but could also be a dystopian novel but it is also simultaneously heavily contemporary. It makes up for an interesting reading journey though.
・❥・ ❝ I’m smiling too.❞
・❥・ ❝ Oh? My ears aren’t quite as good as yours, I can’t hear it.❞
・❥・ ❝ I will endeavour to smile louder.❞
The last few pages are very memorable in my opinion; I decided to reread them and quickly glance through some passages I had highlighted throughout the book. The ending of this book summarises some core elements well.
A reflective one for sure! 🤍
I'm confused, perplexed, slightly concerned, and unable to fully grasp my thoughts and define my feelings... all at once. In a good way...I think?
There are so many themes woven into this story tackling a multitude of important conversations. Yet, at its very core is a story about identity, responsibility, forgiveness, hope. Several characters who stand out for me, with certainly some favourites -- Arthur, Maggie, Graham. I don't know if the term 'precious' is appropriate in this instance but they are the highlight of my reading experience. 🤍
The genre of this book is a bit all over the place - science fiction but could also be a dystopian novel but it is also simultaneously heavily contemporary. It makes up for an interesting reading journey though.
・❥・ ❝ I’m smiling too.❞
・❥・ ❝ Oh? My ears aren’t quite as good as yours, I can’t hear it.❞
・❥・ ❝ I will endeavour to smile louder.❞
The last few pages are very memorable in my opinion; I decided to reread them and quickly glance through some passages I had highlighted throughout the book. The ending of this book summarises some core elements well.
A reflective one for sure! 🤍
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence
Moderate: Mental illness, Racism, Sexual content, Violence, Xenophobia
Minor: Suicide attempt, War