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lycheejelly's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Racism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, and Transphobia
maiagaia's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-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
4.25
What a beautiful meditation on grief, pain, relationships, and humanity. The protagonist is a trans woman which brings up some interesting ideas/questions surrounding the scifi elements.
This is a very allegorical story, so I would really only recommend reading it if you're interested in that sort of experience as opposed to a more action-y or cerebral scifi.
This is a very allegorical story, so I would really only recommend reading it if you're interested in that sort of experience as opposed to a more action-y or cerebral scifi.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Drug use, Grief, and Suicidal thoughts
saintvalentina's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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
3.5
this book was kinda just okay? but i dont regret reading it at all since it left me thinking about it
it all feels very allegory heavy, which is fine but sometimes feels a little too on the nose, i wish it were a bit more subtle
the lgbt rep is great though, trans native american main character
really left me hungry for more scifi, but not really for more of this book, i wasnt really sad when it ended
it all feels very allegory heavy, which is fine but sometimes feels a little too on the nose, i wish it were a bit more subtle
the lgbt rep is great though, trans native american main character
really left me hungry for more scifi, but not really for more of this book, i wasnt really sad when it ended
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Grief
Moderate: Death
Minor: Transphobia
v171's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
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
3.0
This was a great read that explored the ideas of what culture would look like if the hippies won. I loved the hyper focus on one woman's story and how she explored this new way of life as she grieved the "passing on" of her wife. I felt the focus at the micro level rather than the macro was an interesting structural decision that really paid off in its execution as we learned about the full extent of the world through the limited lens of the jaded protagonist. However if you like alien invasion books, this probably isn't the one for you. This is a book about grief and dealing with one's place in the world with an alien invasion backdrop. Don't go into this expecting a full exploration of the "soft invasion."
I have complicated feelings about the themes of the book, which could be boiled down to the fact that there is value in the preservation of "historical" ideals such as gender, race, age, and sexuality, especially in a post gender, race, age, and sexuality world. That in a society where no one is left in need, we are still benefit from the lessons that were learned in hardship rather than leaving those lessons behind since we have finally achieved true harmony in the universe. I ultimately agree with this overall theme, but I couldn't help but feel that there were undertones of "kids these days" sentimentality that would really make me pause to consider what message the author was trying to portray. Those who might be considered "progressive" in the book are painted to be the ones out of touch while the the traditionalists who often speak about the good ole days (before the world was literally living in paradise) were the ones painted as rational and down to earth. Sometimes I agreed with this sentiment (blackface is bad and should always be considered bad y'all). And sometimes I didn't (your community taking an active interest in your wellbeing is actually good probably).
The writing was fantastic, surreal, and dreamy. The side characters were hit or miss, being written as one note lovable/hateable while the main character has consistent ideals but oddly inconsistent behaviors. The pacing of the book was good considering how short it is, and while there is a loose plot, it takes a backseat to the social commentary which I think works in the books favor. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and it definitely lends itself to a reread.
I have complicated feelings about the themes of the book, which could be boiled down to the fact that there is value in the preservation of "historical" ideals such as gender, race, age, and sexuality, especially in a post gender, race, age, and sexuality world. That in a society where no one is left in need, we are still benefit from the lessons that were learned in hardship rather than leaving those lessons behind since we have finally achieved true harmony in the universe. I ultimately agree with this overall theme, but I couldn't help but feel that there were undertones of "kids these days" sentimentality that would really make me pause to consider what message the author was trying to portray. Those who might be considered "progressive" in the book are painted to be the ones out of touch while the the traditionalists who often speak about the good ole days (before the world was literally living in paradise) were the ones painted as rational and down to earth. Sometimes I agreed with this sentiment (blackface is bad and should always be considered bad y'all). And sometimes I didn't (your community taking an active interest in your wellbeing is actually good probably).
The writing was fantastic, surreal, and dreamy. The side characters were hit or miss, being written as one note lovable/hateable while the main character has consistent ideals but oddly inconsistent behaviors. The pacing of the book was good considering how short it is, and while there is a loose plot, it takes a backseat to the social commentary which I think works in the books favor. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and it definitely lends itself to a reread.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, and Grief
lavendl's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Grief
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Racism, and Sexual content
francesjanviers's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
vikie_vi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
I’m so happy I came across this!!! It’s just so perfect. Short (I wish I could continue reading it forever) but perfectly paced and introspective. Also just super fun and interesting 10/10 would recommend
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, and Grief
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Murder
rubyhosh's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Alcoholism, and Death
taleofabibliophile's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, and Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism
laurenwerlinger's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Drug use, Drug abuse, Alcoholism, Addiction, Cursing, and Grief
Minor: Sexual content and Racism