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minervacerridwen's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I love that this book didn't treat brainwashing as something a character can just as easily shake off. The things Kyr had learned all her life kept returning to haunt her, and I think that's the strength of this book. Action-packed with some shocking turns and interesting worldbuilding, Some Desperate Glory was an impressive rollercoaster.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Racism, Violence, Murder, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Ableism, Sexism, Genocide, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Child abuse, Misogyny, Suicide, and Suicidal thoughts
stacyaj's review
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
5.0
I feel like the book description doesn’t do justice to the complexity that this story brings. It took me a little bit to get into it and not get thrown off by the technical sci-fi aspects, but I ended up completely hooked.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Violence, Rape, War, Genocide, and Death
haleywofford's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Adult/minor relationship, and Death
Moderate: Murder, Xenophobia, Violence, War, and Torture
Minor: Abortion, Pregnancy, Gun violence, Colonisation, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Blood, Rape, Homophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
emfass's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
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
4.75
This book made me remember why I love science fiction so much.
The story somehow pulls off being a space opera while also keeping things very small and intimate. Can't say much without giving away the plot, but MAN this just had so many things I like about sci fi.
The story somehow pulls off being a space opera while also keeping things very small and intimate. Can't say much without giving away the plot, but MAN this just had so many things I like about sci fi.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Death, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, War, Gun violence, Genocide, Sexism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Homophobia
paukinra's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, War, Gaslighting, Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Sexism, Outing, Gun violence, Genocide, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Forced institutionalization, Torture, Sexual violence, Incest, Homophobia, Emotional abuse, and Death
Moderate: Xenophobia and Pregnancy
readwithanne's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, and Suicide
Minor: Rape and Racism
tigger89's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was fantastic. I can't even say too much about why I loved it, because most of the things that were so great are massive spoilers! I'll settle for saying that it takes several familiar sci-fi tropes — some of which you'll spot immediately, and others which take some time to reveal themselves — and remixes them into something that felt both fresh and timely.
The most impressive non-spoilery thing the book accomplished was managing to keep the reader just slightly more clued-in than the main character is. It's tricky to keep that balance with the reveals, between the reader knowing everything too early and the main character essentially narrating every logical step. I also enjoyed the setting, particularly the aliens and their sufficiently-advanced-technology, and the way the characters were developed as the plot went on.
I will warn you that you're not going to like the main character. She's a real piece of work when we first meet her. I promise, she gets better. Much better. Ordinarily such massive transformations over the course of one book ring hollow, but due to the spoilers I actually believed it this time. I also want to say that, if you're anything like me, you're probably going to be wondering around the 15-20% mark if you can trust the author with what this book seems to be taking on. The answer is yes. Again avoiding spoilers, but the things that are making you raise your eyebrows are intentional and serve the plot.
My biggest point of contention with the book was with the ending. It was foreshadowed pretty early on, so it wasn't deus ex machina. It's fair enough, I guess. It just felt a little too convenient for my tastes. Like, the bow shouldn't have tied up so neatly, if that makes sense? But I'm not really mad at it.
Does the tiger die?There is, in one scene, a tiger. I'm not kidding. The tiger is presented from its introduction as an adversary, and is killed(in a somewhat graphic manner) in the course of a character defending themself.
The most impressive non-spoilery thing the book accomplished was managing to keep the reader just slightly more clued-in than the main character is. It's tricky to keep that balance with the reveals, between the reader knowing everything too early and the main character essentially narrating every logical step. I also enjoyed the setting, particularly the aliens and their sufficiently-advanced-technology, and the way the characters were developed as the plot went on.
I will warn you that you're not going to like the main character. She's a real piece of work when we first meet her. I promise, she gets better. Much better. Ordinarily such massive transformations over the course of one book ring hollow, but due to the spoilers I actually believed it this time. I also want to say that, if you're anything like me, you're probably going to be wondering around the 15-20% mark if you can trust the author with what this book seems to be taking on. The answer is yes. Again avoiding spoilers, but the things that are making you raise your eyebrows are intentional and serve the plot.
My biggest point of contention with the book was with the ending. It was foreshadowed pretty early on, so it wasn't deus ex machina. It's fair enough, I guess. It just felt a little too convenient for my tastes. Like, the bow shouldn't have tied up so neatly, if that makes sense? But I'm not really mad at it.
Does the tiger die?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Genocide, Bullying, Animal death, Death, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, and War
kindra_demi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A friend told me that I needed to read this book. That I would absolutely love it. So I immediately went and got the book (a trip that was over 2 hours round trip). AND IT WAS WORTH EVERY SECOND OF RUNNING TO BEAT WATERSTONES CLOSING. Yes, it took me months to finish, grad school does that... But outside of that, it's so good.
First, let me say, I started reading the physical book but I switched to the audiobook because again grad school. Before I get into the book, let me just say Sena Byer has become one of my favorite narrators and I cannot wait to listen to more work from her. She voices each character so well (to the point I thought there had to be new narrators for the different voices. Literally a vocal chameleon).
Now the book. I will preface with I am a sucker for books with characters whose world is shattered by getting an understanding of how messed up their perception is (such as with nationalism for this book). This book then brings in elements of trying to understand your world when dimension changes are possible. It was set for me to be a book I absolutely love.
It's so easy to get into the world. Yes, there is a lot of world-building (it's sci-fi), but it's not something I found extremely difficult. I would recommend it actually for someone who isn't super familiar with sci-fi but wants to start reading it. There are "excerpts from other books" (that are from the Some Desperate Glory universe) that help give context to the story itself.
The mc can be insufferable (and rightfully so. The mc is a teen who was raised in a military base as a "war breed child". She was literally made to serve her station.), but you watch them as they grow and change. There are characters that you'll either hate or hate to love. There are characters that I personally want to put in bubble wrap and protect their sweet souls. And all of these feelings are established early in the book. So when the multiple dimensions become a factor, it can really influence one's opinions on a character.
TL;DR: Yes read it. Read it if you love sci-fi or love stories that are about the breaking of one's nationalistic perspective. And read it in either a physical/ebook or an audiobook option. Emily Tesh (and if you chose the audiobook, Sena Byer), will not do you wrong.
First, let me say, I started reading the physical book but I switched to the audiobook because again grad school. Before I get into the book, let me just say Sena Byer has become one of my favorite narrators and I cannot wait to listen to more work from her. She voices each character so well (to the point I thought there had to be new narrators for the different voices. Literally a vocal chameleon).
Now the book. I will preface with I am a sucker for books with characters whose world is shattered by getting an understanding of how messed up their perception is (such as with nationalism for this book). This book then brings in elements of trying to understand your world when dimension changes are possible. It was set for me to be a book I absolutely love.
It's so easy to get into the world. Yes, there is a lot of world-building (it's sci-fi), but it's not something I found extremely difficult. I would recommend it actually for someone who isn't super familiar with sci-fi but wants to start reading it. There are "excerpts from other books" (that are from the Some Desperate Glory universe) that help give context to the story itself.
The mc can be insufferable (and rightfully so. The mc is a teen who was raised in a military base as a "war breed child". She was literally made to serve her station.), but you watch them as they grow and change. There are characters that you'll either hate or hate to love. There are characters that I personally want to put in bubble wrap and protect their sweet souls. And all of these feelings are established early in the book. So when the multiple dimensions become a factor, it can really influence one's opinions on a character.
TL;DR: Yes read it. Read it if you love sci-fi or love stories that are about the breaking of one's nationalistic perspective. And read it in either a physical/ebook or an audiobook option. Emily Tesh (and if you chose the audiobook, Sena Byer), will not do you wrong.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Grief, Suicide, War, Blood, Gore, Pedophilia, Sexual harassment, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Medical content, Bullying, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Torture
buff_dude's review against another edition
dark
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Neon Genesis Evangelion if it were told by an infinitely more empathetic storyteller (and minus the fanservice).
This book discusses some important topics, including radicalisation, child soldiers and grooming, and it keeps these issues at the centre of its plot without desensitising the reader from them by heaping all of them in at once. It's not just an information dump either - the characters are genuinely engaging, which makes it all the more impactful when you see the effects of their soldier upbringing.
The plot follows the de-brainwashing of the protagonist, including the realisation of her anger towards an abuser, and love towards her friends and family. There's nothing quite as inspiring as seeing her embrace herself and break out of a sea of trauma.
That said, I'm not about to pretend that the world building was flawless. There were large swathes of exposition that I'm not even going to try understanding. I still don't know who was on which side of what war but the main point of the book was war bad so I suppose it's not a big deal. The plot itself tends to get messy around midway to 3/4 of the way through the book, but power through it and you will be rewarded. (I have a whole set of sticky flags around that bit with the same note: what the fuck is happening.)
Overall an eye-opening read worth the time. If you're considering picking this up and care about characters being lovable, note that a lot of them, especially the protagonist, are not, but this is mainly due to a very very rough upbringing that they learn to grow out of.
This book discusses some important topics, including radicalisation, child soldiers and grooming, and it keeps these issues at the centre of its plot without desensitising the reader from them by heaping all of them in at once. It's not just an information dump either - the characters are genuinely engaging, which makes it all the more impactful when you see the effects of their soldier upbringing.
The plot follows the de-brainwashing of the protagonist, including the realisation of her anger towards an abuser, and love towards her friends and family. There's nothing quite as inspiring as seeing her embrace herself and break out of a sea of trauma.
That said, I'm not about to pretend that the world building was flawless. There were large swathes of exposition that I'm not even going to try understanding. I still don't know who was on which side of what war but the main point of the book was war bad so I suppose it's not a big deal. The plot itself tends to get messy around midway to 3/4 of the way through the book, but power through it and you will be rewarded. (I have a whole set of sticky flags around that bit with the same note: what the fuck is happening.)
Overall an eye-opening read worth the time. If you're considering picking this up and care about characters being lovable, note that a lot of them, especially the protagonist, are not, but this is mainly due to a very very rough upbringing that they learn to grow out of.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Xenophobia
Moderate: War, Child abuse, Genocide, Homophobia, Pregnancy, Transphobia, Rape, Sexual harassment, and Colonisation
Minor: Abortion and Animal death
sarasreading's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Before reading I knew the MC would be a terrible person, and I think that helped with my expectations. I didn't know much else about it though, and it drew me right in. There are a LOT of conversation points in this book, and while the book was already on the longer side, I almost wish it were even longer? To delve into those a little more deeply.
I also would have liked even more world building, especially regarding the Wisdom, because I found it fascinating. I also would have liked some character relationships to have more time. AND more time for the ending as it felt a bit rushed and just cut off at the end. Maybe an epilogue?
I guess I'm saying I would have liked this to be a couple of books lol!
But I enjoyed it. It always left me guessing and kept me on my toes, and I enjoyed how the unlikable main character learned and grew out of the extremist world view she was brought up with.
CW: There are so many, and they're listed in the beginning of the book. Heed them if you need them.
I also would have liked even more world building, especially regarding the Wisdom, because I found it fascinating. I also would have liked some character relationships to have more time. AND more time for the ending as it felt a bit rushed and just cut off at the end. Maybe an epilogue?
I guess I'm saying I would have liked this to be a couple of books lol!
But I enjoyed it. It always left me guessing and kept me on my toes, and I enjoyed how the unlikable main character learned and grew out of the extremist world view she was brought up with.
CW: There are so many, and they're listed in the beginning of the book. Heed them if you need them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Transphobia, Sexual harassment, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Colonisation, Suicide, Murder, Death, Genocide, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Racism
Moderate: Rape, Grief, and Ableism
Minor: Abortion