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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
potential light spoilers ahead, i think this is probably light/ soft 4, and for the first 50% i thought it was going to be hard 5 star one of my top 2 reads of the year type of thing so left feeling a tad disappointed
i would still recommend this, because rivers solomon is a profoundly talented writer, and there are several bits of writing throughout this that are some of my absolute favorite i’ve encountered this year or last, it has some truly high highs, but as a debut novel it is going to be just that- a debut novel! so in the last 30% solomon has put soooo much on their plate that they now need to wrap up and it is clumsy and a bit all over the place, ambitious but clunky sort of deal, and isn’t executed to the same caliber that the beginning of the book is. but still so much truly fantastic writing and would absolutely absolute absolutely love a friend to read/ listen to this (i did audiobook and the narrator is SUPERBBBB) so i can talk about it with someone!!!
i would still recommend this, because rivers solomon is a profoundly talented writer, and there are several bits of writing throughout this that are some of my absolute favorite i’ve encountered this year or last, it has some truly high highs, but as a debut novel it is going to be just that- a debut novel! so in the last 30% solomon has put soooo much on their plate that they now need to wrap up and it is clumsy and a bit all over the place, ambitious but clunky sort of deal, and isn’t executed to the same caliber that the beginning of the book is. but still so much truly fantastic writing and would absolutely absolute absolutely love a friend to read/ listen to this (i did audiobook and the narrator is SUPERBBBB) so i can talk about it with someone!!!
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was a great story, and a stark reminder of what our country has historically done to Black and Indigenous individuals, but the body horror was...a lot. A weird read, but a good read.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
i honestly didn’t expect to love this at the start, it was kind of slow as it was built up, but it was worth the wait. this book is haunting and beautifully written and just so captivating. i love the way vern was written, watching them progress and grow in mind and body. this book was nicely tied in to real history and politics and these themes were persistent and important and i am so glad that they were so integral to the story
3.5 more accurate.
It was a fascinating read, it wasn't what I expected for sure. Leans more toward magical realism and secret history rather than the characters driven melodrama I thought it was going to be based on the synopsis. I dunno if Im the target audience but I liked it for being a book I grabbed from the new and noteworthy table on a whim.
It was a fascinating read, it wasn't what I expected for sure. Leans more toward magical realism and secret history rather than the characters driven melodrama I thought it was going to be based on the synopsis. I dunno if Im the target audience but I liked it for being a book I grabbed from the new and noteworthy table on a whim.
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
Poignant commentary on those that have been marginalized, the scifi of it all was just a bonus.
More like 3.5/5 stars for me.
I really enjoyed the concept: a cultish enclave, body-horror, super queer characters, the politics and social commentary - I loved all that, but the plot seemed to move at a glacial pace diminishing my enjoyment of the overall story. I might've enjoyed this one more had I been reading the book and able to skim slower parts, but because I was listening, I couldn't really do that.
I really enjoyed the concept: a cultish enclave, body-horror, super queer characters, the politics and social commentary - I loved all that, but the plot seemed to move at a glacial pace diminishing my enjoyment of the overall story. I might've enjoyed this one more had I been reading the book and able to skim slower parts, but because I was listening, I couldn't really do that.
Sorrowland // by Rivers Solomon
I'll be honest and admit that I'm not 100% sure how to review this. I'll be the first to admit that sometimes certain things are over my head and I will not understand everything exactly as the author means it to be understood. Despite that though, it is clear that this is a story of survival, oppression, blood and found family, and more. It can be difficult to see where the story is going at first. It felt very character focused in the beginning but later, in the last third, had a whole lot more action happening. In that same vein, the messages felt very subtle at the start but later were anything but. While I do generally enjoy character focused books, I found myself questioning the point of this one multiple times along the way, making myself re-evaluate whether I should continue on with it or not. However you take this story though, one thing is clear: the author has a very unique and distinct voice and I still will be picking up more titles by them. The Deep, another of their titles, is a book I very much enjoyed and I am still curious to see what else will be forthcoming by Solomon.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
I'll be honest and admit that I'm not 100% sure how to review this. I'll be the first to admit that sometimes certain things are over my head and I will not understand everything exactly as the author means it to be understood. Despite that though, it is clear that this is a story of survival, oppression, blood and found family, and more. It can be difficult to see where the story is going at first. It felt very character focused in the beginning but later, in the last third, had a whole lot more action happening. In that same vein, the messages felt very subtle at the start but later were anything but. While I do generally enjoy character focused books, I found myself questioning the point of this one multiple times along the way, making myself re-evaluate whether I should continue on with it or not. However you take this story though, one thing is clear: the author has a very unique and distinct voice and I still will be picking up more titles by them. The Deep, another of their titles, is a book I very much enjoyed and I am still curious to see what else will be forthcoming by Solomon.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.