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sadhbh2525's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide and Grief
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Minor: Slavery, Medical content, Trafficking, and Pregnancy
annemaries_shelves's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
The Best of All Possible Worlds is a fascinating, practically episodic, exploration of different human cultures, grief, and one's self. And a slowburn love story.
For such a short book (~335 pages including two short stories), there's a lot packed into the worldbuilding and Lord is a great storyteller. There were parts of the book (notably about the Caretakers) where I felt like I'm missing information, but I'm guessing that future books in the series will address those elements.
Essentially there are several different human species and one - the Sadiri - have recently lost their entire planet (very Vulcan-like, down to the telepathic/psionic skills). Those who survive are struggling to rebuild. A few Sadiri launch a cultural/scientific expedition on Cygnus Beta, a melting pot planet of multiple human species to see what heritage cultures remain from older Sadiri groups. Once we start on the expedition, most every chapter follows a different heritage group or event experienced by our expedition group.
Our main character, Grace Delarua is a science government employee on Cygnus Beta tasked with supporting the expedition. She's a fascinating character and liaison and I really loved her narrative voice. The slow character development of her own and that of her relationship with Dllenahkh was so good. Theirs is a slow burn romance built on mutual respect and friendship and I loved seeing their regard for each other grow. All of the characters were interesting and their dynamics were enjoyable to read. The psionic element was unique (if reminiscent at times to Star Trek) and I'd like to see how that's explored in future books.
If you like your stories to have very well-realized world building, languages, cultures, and a heavy focus on this element of a story, then I definitely recommend The Best of All Possible Worlds. There's a lot to sink your teeth into.
For me, the episodic element for the middle 75% made it easy to pick it up and put it down - there wasn't a lot of tension or other driving force that kept me turning the page. Part of it might be due to the energy levels I had in March while reading it though, to be fair.
Overall, very enjoyable and really well crafted - I look forward to reading more by Karen Lord.
For such a short book (~335 pages including two short stories), there's a lot packed into the worldbuilding and Lord is a great storyteller. There were parts of the book (notably about the Caretakers) where I felt like I'm missing information, but I'm guessing that future books in the series will address those elements.
Essentially there are several different human species and one - the Sadiri - have recently lost their entire planet (very Vulcan-like, down to the telepathic/psionic skills). Those who survive are struggling to rebuild. A few Sadiri launch a cultural/scientific expedition on Cygnus Beta, a melting pot planet of multiple human species to see what heritage cultures remain from older Sadiri groups. Once we start on the expedition, most every chapter follows a different heritage group or event experienced by our expedition group.
Our main character, Grace Delarua is a science government employee on Cygnus Beta tasked with supporting the expedition. She's a fascinating character and liaison and I really loved her narrative voice. The slow character development of her own and that of her relationship with Dllenahkh was so good. Theirs is a slow burn romance built on mutual respect and friendship and I loved seeing their regard for each other grow. All of the characters were interesting and their dynamics were enjoyable to read. The psionic element was unique (if reminiscent at times to Star Trek) and I'd like to see how that's explored in future books.
If you like your stories to have very well-realized world building, languages, cultures, and a heavy focus on this element of a story, then I definitely recommend The Best of All Possible Worlds. There's a lot to sink your teeth into.
For me, the episodic element for the middle 75% made it easy to pick it up and put it down - there wasn't a lot of tension or other driving force that kept me turning the page. Part of it might be due to the energy levels I had in March while reading it though, to be fair.
Overall, very enjoyable and really well crafted - I look forward to reading more by Karen Lord.
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse
jennikreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide and Grief
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Medical content, and Gaslighting
Minor: Slavery
aminareading's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Gaslighting
Moderate: Genocide
Minor: Transphobia
coris's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating set-up for the world and story, and parts of the subplots are great too. But the pacing is off, and events that should be a huge deal are largely left behind each time as we move onto the next thing.
I read it as a slice-of-life style ramble, and it worked well enough, but if you like a plot to come together or for there to be more than a glimpse of the Big Picture (politics, culture, society across different races), this isn't a great choice.
I read it as a slice-of-life style ramble, and it worked well enough, but if you like a plot to come together or for there to be more than a glimpse of the Big Picture (politics, culture, society across different races), this isn't a great choice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Gaslighting
Moderate: Genocide, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual violence, Slavery, Transphobia, Trafficking, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
rorikae's review
adventurous
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
4.5
'The Best of All Possible Worlds' by Karen Lord is an adventurous and creative sci-fi novel rooted in its complex characters.
The story centers on Grace Delarua, who is chosen to help a group of Sadiri, a people who have survived a genocide and are looking for their place on Cygnus Beta. The group travels around to different civilizations, learning more about the different cultures that populate the planet and how societies differ. As they travel, Delarua begins to feel more connected to her companions and a budding romance begins to flourish.
I am blown away by Lord's worldbuilding in this novel. The different societies are so vast and creatively crafted that it was fascinating to learn about each one. The book itself is more episodic since it moves from one society to another with the throughline of the core group. These are flawed, easy to care for characters and I appreciated how we slowly learned more about them as the story went on. Though the plot throughout is strong, this is very much a character driven book. I am fascinated to read more of Lord's work since it is clear her worldbuilding and character work are incredible. Some particular standouts from this story include the society that have transformed themselves into fae to bridge differences as well as how attending a play uncovers jealousy and murderous intent. I will definitely be returning to this book in the future to spend more time with these characters and this world.
The story centers on Grace Delarua, who is chosen to help a group of Sadiri, a people who have survived a genocide and are looking for their place on Cygnus Beta. The group travels around to different civilizations, learning more about the different cultures that populate the planet and how societies differ. As they travel, Delarua begins to feel more connected to her companions and a budding romance begins to flourish.
I am blown away by Lord's worldbuilding in this novel. The different societies are so vast and creatively crafted that it was fascinating to learn about each one. The book itself is more episodic since it moves from one society to another with the throughline of the core group. These are flawed, easy to care for characters and I appreciated how we slowly learned more about them as the story went on. Though the plot throughout is strong, this is very much a character driven book. I am fascinated to read more of Lord's work since it is clear her worldbuilding and character work are incredible. Some particular standouts from this story include the society that have transformed themselves into fae to bridge differences as well as how attending a play uncovers jealousy and murderous intent. I will definitely be returning to this book in the future to spend more time with these characters and this world.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Minor: Misogyny, Sexual content, and Slavery
cerilouisereads's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Genocide, and Gaslighting