Reviews

A Desolation Called Peace by Arkady Martine

kdahlo's review against another edition

4.0

Good sequel, maybe readable as a standalone, but probably best if you liked the first. Creative, compelling first contact story, still with some of the court drama of the original

bluejaybooks's review against another edition

Wonderful expansion upon its predecessor and a wonderful thought provoking read.

Spoiler

Also, it seems fungal/fungal-like hiveminds are very popular in science fiction these days . . . or maybe it just says something about my reading choices that I've come across so many of them ;)

chaojareon's review against another edition

adventurous 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

4.0

shanflan's review against another edition

reflective

4.0

dan_at's review against another edition

2.0

 This book tries so hard to be so clever but fails miserably. We get pages upon pages on pseudo philosophical rambling, like the author is explaining the most basic concepts to a toddler. On top of that we can witness the MC having irrational relationship fights for no reason other than drama. Yiekes.

emmakyzar's review

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad tense

4.0

medootza's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

zoe_lenora's review against another edition

adventurous 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

4.0

triplebriiii's review against another edition

5.0

I wasn't sure if this could surpass the first, but that ending fuck, so fucking good. I loved how the author expanded the world by providing us different POVs, especially Eight Antidote, I just want to stuff him in my pocket. This was an incredibly continuation of the prior book, while still being a contained story. You could ALMOST read this as a standalone (though you wouldn't get as much out of it as if you had read the first one first of course). The exploration of new and old characters was great. This author is very talented at differentiating the voices of the POV characters, each one of them remained distinct characters with. 

Less dense than book 1, though still immaculate in the conception and execution. The way the author is able to explore the nuance of colonialism/imperialism and how it impacts everyone is so intricate, and impressive frankly. Still laugh out loud funny (TO ME). 

And of course, lesbians <3

harrowsbone's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0