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christopherward's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
chirson's review
4.0
This, by the way, seems to be my 500th review on this website! I want a cookie. And what a fitting book to mark this moment.
----------------------------
I read this book courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for an honest review; nonetheless, I also bought a paper copy with my own money (and it's reportedly on its way to me already).
It's difficult writing the review of a next or last volume in a series! So much of what might be said is a spoiler for earlier volumes, or might make little sense for those who haven't read them; in addition, it's not as though I am attempting to convince anyone to read this particular book - it is the whole series that I am recommending.
So what I can say is that this was a great way to start my #pride reading month. Yoon Ha Lee writes a complex and fascinating world that is in itself queer; he conceives of ways of being that are both strange and familiar. This volume brings the series to a staggering and logical conclusion; it gives protagonists fitting endings and it's poignant and tragic but also hopeful.
I must confess I wish it had been longer. It gives us more clarity and explanations than volume 2 (and particularly - more than volume 1, which could be occasionally abstruse) but at the same time, its quick pacing meant we didn't linger as long as I would have loved to with some characters or plotlines. It was good, but maybe not enough of a good thing--or perhaps I'm merely being greedy. I could keep reading about some characters, including new ones, for a hundred more pages.
I think this was a powerful conclusion to a great trilogy of novels; I expect it will lend itself well to re-reading. Take this as a strong recommendation - even if this genre doesn't seem like your thing, Yoon Ha Lee's posthumanist military sf novels are full of heart, soul and humanity.
----------------------------
I read this book courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for an honest review; nonetheless, I also bought a paper copy with my own money (and it's reportedly on its way to me already).
It's difficult writing the review of a next or last volume in a series! So much of what might be said is a spoiler for earlier volumes, or might make little sense for those who haven't read them; in addition, it's not as though I am attempting to convince anyone to read this particular book - it is the whole series that I am recommending.
So what I can say is that this was a great way to start my #pride reading month. Yoon Ha Lee writes a complex and fascinating world that is in itself queer; he conceives of ways of being that are both strange and familiar. This volume brings the series to a staggering and logical conclusion; it gives protagonists fitting endings and it's poignant and tragic but also hopeful.
I must confess I wish it had been longer. It gives us more clarity and explanations than volume 2 (and particularly - more than volume 1, which could be occasionally abstruse) but at the same time, its quick pacing meant we didn't linger as long as I would have loved to with some characters or plotlines. It was good, but maybe not enough of a good thing--or perhaps I'm merely being greedy. I could keep reading about some characters, including new ones, for a hundred more pages.
I think this was a powerful conclusion to a great trilogy of novels; I expect it will lend itself well to re-reading. Take this as a strong recommendation - even if this genre doesn't seem like your thing, Yoon Ha Lee's posthumanist military sf novels are full of heart, soul and humanity.
grid's review
4.0
I really enjoyed the non-human characters, and glimpses of the rest of the universe outside the hexarche.
This was definitely the strongest of the trilogy. 4.5 stars.
This was definitely the strongest of the trilogy. 4.5 stars.
rpmagee's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-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
sillypunk's review
4.0
A bit flawed compared to the other two, but still enjoyed it: https://blogendorff.com/2018/08/05/book-review-revenant-gun/
enbyglitch's review against another edition
5.0
A fittingly brilliant and climactic finale for an excellent trilogy. As with any great literature, the series tackles real-world issues through its prose. In this case, I think grave lessons can be learned regarding individual and societal power/control and its abuses.
This novel in particular portrayed a little too much sex (and discussion thereof) for my taste, but it wasn't enough of an issue to lower its rating.
---
[Second Reading/review]
Haha I forgot about that criticism about the sex. Having read a LOT more in the last two years, I can see that the author is using at least some of those scenes to demonstrate more of the fundamental manipulation and control at work in this world and specifically by the series' main antagonist. It is disturbing, but lends more depth to the moral storytelling IMO.
I meant to look this up, but I'm fascinated by how similar some of the servitors here are to Murderbot in their own series. Which inspired which? Love both either way!
I think this has to be one of my absolute favorite series. Some reasons:
- Incredibly, unapologetically queer
- Unique and endlessly fascinating scifi worldbuilding
- Characters moving with morals and agency (or exact reasons why they lack agency)
- Questioning horrific norms and overthrowing the stable regime
- Villains with real, emotional motives
One wish I do have is just to see more of Yoon Ha Lee's incredible creativity throughout. It seems like we saw most of the cool exotic effects in book 1, cool Hafn stuff in book 2, and cool moth stuff in book 3 with little development in other directions.
Until my inevitable next read!
This novel in particular portrayed a little too much sex (and discussion thereof) for my taste, but it wasn't enough of an issue to lower its rating.
---
[Second Reading/review]
Haha I forgot about that criticism about the sex. Having read a LOT more in the last two years, I can see that the author is using at least some of those scenes to demonstrate more of the fundamental manipulation and control at work in this world and specifically by the series' main antagonist. It is disturbing, but lends more depth to the moral storytelling IMO.
I meant to look this up, but I'm fascinated by how similar some of the servitors here are to Murderbot in their own series. Which inspired which? Love both either way!
I think this has to be one of my absolute favorite series. Some reasons:
- Incredibly, unapologetically queer
- Unique and endlessly fascinating scifi worldbuilding
- Characters moving with morals and agency (or exact reasons why they lack agency)
- Questioning horrific norms and overthrowing the stable regime
- Villains with real, emotional motives
One wish I do have is just to see more of Yoon Ha Lee's incredible creativity throughout. It seems like we saw most of the cool exotic effects in book 1, cool Hafn stuff in book 2, and cool moth stuff in book 3 with little development in other directions.
Until my inevitable next read!
minna17's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
4.5
jes's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-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? It's complicated
4.75
indigooryx's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25