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jaminup's review against another edition
5.0
I had been looking forward to this book since the moment I put down A Memory Called Empire a little over one year ago. Arkady Martine's ability to craft believable and intriguing culture, customs, language, and characters had made Memory so fascinating and I couldn't wait to see where the story would go from there.
A Desolation Called Peace out does Memory in my opinion. The political and military intrigue are top notch, I kept trying to unravel the plots myself and found myself pleasantly failing. And the philosophical debate within the book over who or what is/isn't a person was excellently done. I'm so excited to see what Arkady Martine puts out in the future, because I have yet to be disappointed.
A Desolation Called Peace out does Memory in my opinion. The political and military intrigue are top notch, I kept trying to unravel the plots myself and found myself pleasantly failing. And the philosophical debate within the book over who or what is/isn't a person was excellently done. I'm so excited to see what Arkady Martine puts out in the future, because I have yet to be disappointed.
selenay936's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
fast-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
5.0
simmyx98's review against another edition
5.0
This was amazing and managed to be even better than the first.
My only real issue with the first was the pacing at the start, but this had perfect pacing the whole way. The plot and structure were also a lot different to the first with all the different character focuses/viewpoints which I really liked.
The plot was strong and had me intrigued the whole way, it was way different to the first book while also still building and developing on the themes that were previously introduced.
The characters were the best part of the first book for me and are still great here too especially some of the new ones introduced, though now my love for the plot line was equal to the love of the character work.
I feel like Arkady Martin writes incredibly well and is able to tackle themes of colonialism and culture challenges on a deeper and more complex level than some other books I've read recently.
For example, the Red Rising trilogy which I still loved touched on themes of oppression but didn't really offer any deep insight into it that resonated with me it was just there (it might've done in the later books but I haven't read them yet). In comoarison, across the two Teixcalaan books the things Mahit was experiencing/feeling I could see some resemblance to things that impact people in real life or that I've experienced myself in some vague way so it resonated a lot more for me.
Overall just an amazing book.
My only real issue with the first was the pacing at the start, but this had perfect pacing the whole way. The plot and structure were also a lot different to the first with all the different character focuses/viewpoints which I really liked.
The plot was strong and had me intrigued the whole way, it was way different to the first book while also still building and developing on the themes that were previously introduced.
The characters were the best part of the first book for me and are still great here too especially some of the new ones introduced, though now my love for the plot line was equal to the love of the character work.
I feel like Arkady Martin writes incredibly well and is able to tackle themes of colonialism and culture challenges on a deeper and more complex level than some other books I've read recently.
For example, the Red Rising trilogy which I still loved touched on themes of oppression but didn't really offer any deep insight into it that resonated with me it was just there (it might've done in the later books but I haven't read them yet). In comoarison, across the two Teixcalaan books the things Mahit was experiencing/feeling I could see some resemblance to things that impact people in real life or that I've experienced myself in some vague way so it resonated a lot more for me.
Overall just an amazing book.
carmin's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
hebeshebewebe's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-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
quinlanoconnor's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lupines0944's review against another edition
I need a break from really long books. I've read this before and enjoyed it, but right now I'm not in the right headspace to re-read it. I will get back to it eventually.
halcyon_tarra_marcawin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0