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pobi's review
- 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
2.5
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: War and Colonisation
sophiesmallhands's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: War
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Violence
Minor: Gun violence, Fatphobia, Colonisation, Classism, Police brutality, Death of parent, Death, and Gore
k_fry's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
I loved the worldbuilding in concept, but I’ll admit I can’t fully buy into the utopia that Delliquati explores and tries to sell as existing in the story.
While hinted at during a conversation between Lu and Fassen early on, no significant exploration of the disconnect occurred among the larger group later.
I think you could read into Lu’s actions as part of that exploration, in my head though I interpreted them as related more to their personal interest in research for the sake of research.
Overall, it wasn’t until forced to contribute that this society made a significant effort to work against the empire, which rivals the collectivist mindset otherwise described. That was still only a select few members however.
Maybe it’s reading this while living in the US as the genocide in Gaza is taking place, but that lack of nuance didn’t sit well with me as I read. I guess I felt like there should have been more reflection on the decision to stay out of things.
I throughly enjoyed the read and the ways it made me think about topics of war, rebellion, human needs beyond the most basic, and connections between people. I may not have been able to fully buy into every aspect, but the story even making me think that way is, in my opinion, a testament to how wonderful it is.
Graphic: War and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent
zombiezami's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Body horror, Medical content, Blood, Grief, and Violence
Minor: Sexual assault, Ableism, Death, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Vomit
micaelacccc's review
- 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
5.0
Moderate: Violence, Colonisation, War, and Gun violence
Minor: Dysphoria and Death of parent
the_vegan_bookworm's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I especially enjoyed the author's notes and reflections on writing this story of utopia and what we 'deserve'.
While I felt the book had excellent trans rep throughout, I challenge the idea that it's a sapphic story. It feels much more like a queer platonic relationship between Fassen and Lu than a romantic one.
Graphic: Medical content, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and War
Minor: Death of parent
arlingtonchamberofgay's review
- 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
Graphic: War
Moderate: Dysphoria and Violence
lackyducks's review
- 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? No
5.0
Although it would've been nice to see more of Lu and Fallen's relationship over time, it is still clear how much the characters care for each other. You see the effort Fallen puts into contacting Lu, the stories they share and how much they know about each other.
I enjoyed how their differing viewpoints and factions were treated throughout the story. As well as how they contributed to the resolution of it.
The story goes between fast paced action scenes and slower scenes showing the area and situation characters live in and developing the relationships between them. As well as the main plot, you watch Fallen's journey of growth which I found was executed well.
I greatly enjoyed the science fiction elements. There was enough depth to keep me engaged without boring me. I thought the technology was cool, and loved the amount of thought put into the different factions and how they're presented. They all look distinct from each other in design and colour. I would have liked to see more of Blossom, as despite being set up as the main enemy, it feels like we found very little out about their motives or lives.
I enjoyed the overall plot of the book, with some twists catching me off-guard. I also liked the exploration into morality in war and the after effects of living in those situations (something I feel often gets left from these stories.) Seeing Fallen struggle in a new environment was nice, it was nice to see a story where trauma is not left behind and forgotten.
As somebody that often loses track of characters, I found I was able to remember the main cast without much issue! The character designs are all very distinct, as are their personalities.
I overall really enjoyed this read. It was an engaging world and a fun story with a nice amount of depth.
Graphic: Violence, Medical content, Death of parent, and War
augustar14's review
- 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
4.5
I love the world Blue has created and the possibilities they lead the reader to consider when reading this story.
Graphic: War, Violence, Gun violence, Death of parent, Bullying, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Colonisation, and Child death
Minor: Vomit
thecatconstellation's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: War and Violence
Moderate: Medical content and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent and Death