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cassandraelaine's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
whisperfox's review against another edition
4.0
When I think of my experience reading this book, the word "cozy" comes to mind. It feels strange to apply that word to anything in this series, but this was a very gentle entry in the larger umbrella of the Hainish Cycle. It's almost cottage-core in some places, leaning very very fantasy, with sci-fi elements serving as a rather ominous backdrop. The longer I sat with it, the better I liked it.
This was definitely the lightest of the three full-length novels of this series. It was very pleasant and easy to disappear into it, and the stakes were relatively lower, which was honestly a breath of fresh air. The characters were delightful, and the culture and language elements were beautifully woven into the message of the book.
A female! A female voice! A female narrator! It's the only one of the novels to feature a main character who identifies as female. I liked that very much and it increased how deep I let myself swim in this one. Anytime I felt out of step with the main character, it was because she was demonstrating empathy and forgiveness beyond my own capacity for it, or because she was too trusting to see danger coming. But those are my failings, not hers. And the beauty of this book is really in her wonder. She is the perfect vessel for our discovery of what is beautiful, and nearly lost, on this planet she's come to. Her persistent curiosity and openness are what make the story so lovely and warm.
I could see myself spending a very nice vacation in the town that serves as the setting for the majority of this tale. I can almost feel the fresh cool mountain breeze and gentle sunshine. It was a relatively peaceful and soothing tale, and I very much appreciated it.
This was definitely the lightest of the three full-length novels of this series. It was very pleasant and easy to disappear into it, and the stakes were relatively lower, which was honestly a breath of fresh air. The characters were delightful, and the culture and language elements were beautifully woven into the message of the book.
A female! A female voice! A female narrator! It's the only one of the novels to feature a main character who identifies as female. I liked that very much and it increased how deep I let myself swim in this one. Anytime I felt out of step with the main character, it was because she was demonstrating empathy and forgiveness beyond my own capacity for it, or because she was too trusting to see danger coming. But those are my failings, not hers. And the beauty of this book is really in her wonder. She is the perfect vessel for our discovery of what is beautiful, and nearly lost, on this planet she's come to. Her persistent curiosity and openness are what make the story so lovely and warm.
I could see myself spending a very nice vacation in the town that serves as the setting for the majority of this tale. I can almost feel the fresh cool mountain breeze and gentle sunshine. It was a relatively peaceful and soothing tale, and I very much appreciated it.
lolamei72's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
vale_rodrz's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
neoteotihuacan's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
Simply extraordinary.
quirknky's review against another edition
4.0
The Telling explores the blurring of history, faith, and relationships as it happened on the planet Aka, and through it we trace the same patterns we find in our own world. What's the bean meal worth?
jellegraaf's review against another edition
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
radikaliseradgroda's review against another edition
4.0
Somehow this is a very long book with very few pages. Hard to get into but equally hard to put down.