Reviews tagging 'Xenophobia'

Machine's Last Testament by Benjanun Sriduangkaew

2 reviews

motaki's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.75

Beautiful book, I enjoyed its worldbuilding and prose, the info dump was always interesting and never boring or too much.
The different POV were a nice touch , Suzhen is the heart and soul around which the plot takes shape, she is one hell of a character but Ovuha has my whole heart. 
I'm not too fond of Taheen, compared to our two MC they are decidedly less three dimensional so in the end I was not too invested in their fate. 
A great take on the ethical/philosophical questions of technology used to shape our future for the better of humanity, but is it? And at what costs? 

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madarauchiha's review

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious sad tense 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

5.0

  โค๏ธ ๐Ÿงก ๐Ÿ’› ๐Ÿ’š ๐Ÿ’™ ๐Ÿ’œ  my about / byf / CW info carrd: uchiha-madara ๐Ÿ’œ ๐Ÿ’™ ๐Ÿ’š ๐Ÿ’› ๐Ÿงก โค๏ธ

Sriduangkaew my beloved, how fortunate I am to exist in the same time span as you, and be able to read your works. Growing up, I always had to mentally replace all the white characters in any book I read with characters of color, specifically my ethnicity. It was like breathing blood, not opening a book and having a mirror of yourself, of anyone you knew. The unending whiteness was sickening.

I love the lack of cishet existence in this world. I'm glad to read something that's not centered around western society. The book is slow but that's important and good and necessary. This isn't a plot or world to rush through. It's incredibly thoughtful and maintains its themes without feeling like yet another dystopian rebellion fantasy-sci fi book. If you're used to generic, boring, by the numbers ya dystopia rebellion novels, this will be too tough for you. It's an adult book in the adult sci fi genre for adults.

The prose is STUNNING. I had to stop multiple times just to let something soak into my brain wrinkles, god. This was written AND edited so well. Not a word wasted or missing. 

I'm so excited to know there's more in this series, and from this author. I can't tell you how much I appreciate having such a talented Thai author sharing their works.

For those looking for lgbt representation in the book: the main characters are bisexual and the main love interest [who does get speaking parts and characterization!] is a nonbinary trans person. And yes there's also polyamory, but more at the ending than it being present throughout the entire book. Please don't read it only for this, though. I think this book and entire series is an excellent gem in the sci fi fantasy genre that doesn't need a 'hook' or gimmick like lgbt characters or characters of color to justify its existence in the publishing world.

As this is a series, I want to mention the ending felt natural and complete. There was no aggravating sequel bait, and this could be read as a standalone. I wouldn't recommend that, personally, as the world setting and plot is so intriguing that I feel absolutely compelled to continue in the series.

content warnings:
minor emetophobia, organ trafficking, 

medium NSFW, brainwashing, emetophobia, unsanitary, violence, sexual assault, body horror, blood, 

major confinement, prison abuse, smoking drugs, body horror, drowning, waterboarding, unsanitary, torture, gore, classism, confinement, prison abuse, alcohol use, murder, NSFW / sexual content / NSFW bdsm scenarios [full consent], torture, drugging, prison abuse, suicide, gore, demolition, explosion, domestic abuse, violence, injuries, medical scenarios, cultural genocide, gun violence, 

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