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mikime's review
4.0
In this second part of the Wormwood series a new character is introduced, a woman who wakes up with no memories of her life. Readers soon find out that she is a part of the aliens' long plan to invade earth. Familiar characters have to fight to protect themselves, her and their loved ones among power struggles and actual warfare. Indeed the government is at war with the insurrecting city of Rosewater, as the dome's regenerative powers are fading and an alien plant seems to be taking over people. Finally, the person in charge decides to find a compromise with the aliens to save the city from the worst. Lots of events involving new as well as recurring characters, while deeper insights into the situation and into characters' lives are revealed. Looking forward to the third part!
rach_scifibookclub's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
micksland's review
4.0
4 stars
Nominee: 2020 Locus Award for Best SF Novel
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Tade Thompson’s “Wormwood Trilogy” continues with a fast-paced second installment. I will always be in awe of Dr. Thompson’s work, since he is both a physician and an award-winning science fiction novelist. I actually enjoyed this one more than the first entry; it has a much more cohesive, action-driven storyline.
I liked the multiple narrators; each chapter jumps between the experiences of a few key characters as they live through political upheaval. The jumping viewpoints reflect the chaos and ever-evolving nature of the insurrection, while constantly propelling the story forward. I loved the backstory about the nature of Wormwood and the true goals of the aliens; it made me retroactively appreciate the first novel more.
There were some characters whose POV I really didn’t enjoy, which is unfortunately often the case with novels that have multiple narrators. Aminat, Alyssa, Jacques, and Kaaro all had much more interesting things to say than Eric and Walter. This was especially frustrating given the fact that Walter’s main chapter was five times the length of most other chapters in the book. Because of this, I ended up giving the novel four stars, but I am very excited to see how the trilogy ends. If Thompson keeps the focus on my favorite protagonists rather than side characters, I’m sure it will be a blast!
Nominee: 2020 Locus Award for Best SF Novel
___
Tade Thompson’s “Wormwood Trilogy” continues with a fast-paced second installment. I will always be in awe of Dr. Thompson’s work, since he is both a physician and an award-winning science fiction novelist. I actually enjoyed this one more than the first entry; it has a much more cohesive, action-driven storyline.
I liked the multiple narrators; each chapter jumps between the experiences of a few key characters as they live through political upheaval. The jumping viewpoints reflect the chaos and ever-evolving nature of the insurrection, while constantly propelling the story forward. I loved the backstory about the nature of Wormwood and the true goals of the aliens; it made me retroactively appreciate the first novel more.
There were some characters whose POV I really didn’t enjoy, which is unfortunately often the case with novels that have multiple narrators. Aminat, Alyssa, Jacques, and Kaaro all had much more interesting things to say than Eric and Walter. This was especially frustrating given the fact that Walter’s main chapter was five times the length of most other chapters in the book. Because of this, I ended up giving the novel four stars, but I am very excited to see how the trilogy ends. If Thompson keeps the focus on my favorite protagonists rather than side characters, I’m sure it will be a blast!
julius15's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
pepper_mind's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
3.75
stuckonamber's review
5.0
Second book in the Rosewater trilogy. As Mayor Jack tries to secure independence from Nigeria, the alien his city depends on appears to be dying. Loyalties are torn between those who want to save the alien and those who want to destroy it.
moverton's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
emburs's review
adventurous
dark
tense
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? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and War
Moderate: Child abuse and Sexual assault
georgina_bawden's review
3.0
I enjoyed this sequel but it's not as compelling as the first installment - possible middle book syndrome. There's less of Kaaro, which is good because I found Kaaro unlikeable enough to bother me, but bad because Aminat who takes over as main character is far less well developed. Jack Jacques is an interesting creation though, as is his assistant Lora. There's still some oddly timed sex in this book- this may just be me tbh, but characters are very highly sexed in this series! There's even a scene where Aminat finds Kaaro exhausted after a scrape with death, in a room full of zombies, and is immediately taking her clothes off which... I mean whatever works for you, girl. We get less casually misogynist pov tho so that's something. Essentially after the fun exploration of the set up in book 1 we mostly get action in book 2. I'm intrigued about what will happen in book 3!