Scan barcode
leaflit's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Not really my jam. Bulk of the book is from Misery's perspective and they are frustratingly obstinate and casually violent. I think that was the point but it got frustrating for me to read. Narration a bit heavy handed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Chronic illness, Violence, War, Mental illness, Religious bigotry, Toxic relationship, Confinement, Child abuse, Body horror, Death of parent, Torture, Domestic abuse, and Hate crime
Moderate: Drug use, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Minor: Physical abuse, Medical content, and Adult/minor relationship
scifi_rat's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Death of parent, Mental illness, Xenophobia, Medical content, Chronic illness, Death, Confinement, Murder, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Violence, and War
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Drug use, Physical abuse, Grief, Body horror, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Genocide, Alcohol, Blood, Gore, and Pandemic/Epidemic
a_littledragon's review
To be completely honest about when I stopped reading this book, I remember it was sometime last year during the fall semester at my university. I cannot be sure the exact date I stopped reading it.
I was originally excited to read this book, I discovered it through the booktok community on TikTok as “The Locked Tomb meets Pacific Rim in a Joan of Arc retelling” I believe. The Locked Tomb is one of my favorite series ever, so my interest was peaked when it was used to describe this book.
However, I felt that it was a struggle to get through. I know that there’s usually a lot of world building in the beginning of any sci-fi book, and part of my problem may have been I just needed to push past the 100-200 page limit to really get into it and understand it. But I felt I was just forcing myself to get through a book I was having a hard time getting through.
I was all for a strong female main character, a unique magic system, and queer representation. But I feel someone else can enjoy this more, I’ll be donating this book to a free little library in my neighborhood with a sticky note of content warnings they need to be aware of before they decide to read this book.
I was originally excited to read this book, I discovered it through the booktok community on TikTok as “The Locked Tomb meets Pacific Rim in a Joan of Arc retelling” I believe. The Locked Tomb is one of my favorite series ever, so my interest was peaked when it was used to describe this book.
However, I felt that it was a struggle to get through. I know that there’s usually a lot of world building in the beginning of any sci-fi book, and part of my problem may have been I just needed to push past the 100-200 page limit to really get into it and understand it. But I felt I was just forcing myself to get through a book I was having a hard time getting through.
I was all for a strong female main character, a unique magic system, and queer representation. But I feel someone else can enjoy this more, I’ll be donating this book to a free little library in my neighborhood with a sticky note of content warnings they need to be aware of before they decide to read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, Torture, Sexual content, Gore, Genocide, Xenophobia, and Death
Moderate: Alcohol, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Death of parent
pm_me_book_recs's review
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I listened to this audiobook with Libro.fm
I have such mixed feelings about The Genesis of Misery, it was somewhat difficult for me to get through. I think this builds to be a critique of church, but it lands there fumbling. It was exciting to have a scifi written and narrated by non-binary folks, with queer and gender non-conforming characters. In general, I liked the first quarter, struggled through the whole middle, and then was drawn in and carried on by anger and confusion in the last quarter- which is when I realized where the religious commentary was going. To be transparent, I'm all in for religious criticism and picking apart zealots. So for someone anti-church, the language used (belaboriously) is painfully formal and very tiring. The use of characters full names and titles gets cumbersome. There is some strong violence in this as well, physical and psychological, I reccomend looking up content warnings for those less inclined to exposure to violence. The author did a fantastic job of showcasing the psychological derangement that happens with intense, xenophobic, religious beliefs. It was uncomfortable to experience. From what the reader gleams, morally grey is the spine of all characters and their perception (which I appreciate).
Misery starts out sly, survivalist gritty, untrusting, and certain of her mental state/condition. They don't trust what has been said of their life and purpose, not after sign after sign after sign, until they suddenly believe with their entire and whole existence, to the point that they think they are an arbiter of a gods justice and will. If you're aware this is a retelling of Joan of Arc, you know how this is gonna go.
There are some uncomfortable sex scenes that feel a bit forced- there wasn't any indicator that anyone was queer until there was sex, and seemed be necessary to prove they were queer? And maybe that's tinged by my demi-sexual need for an emotional connection for romance/sex. Which leads to my next complaint. The character building outside of the MC is nearly non-existent until that last quarter. It seemed like every non-MC was walled off and unapproachable, if anything was asked or brought up we get the moody huff and walk away like HOW DARE YOU ASK ME ANYTHING PERSONAL EVER. The only characters that break this are either after sex, or at the point the plot can no longer avoid it. I'm not sure if this is also intended as misogynist, zealot commentary, or just how the author writes? And the plot, big sigh. The plot is single coursed, with a little "ah, hah!" at the end that is fully enraging.
I will probably read Neon Yangs other books, this hasn't turned me away from their style. The content was not what I built myself up to expect, the tone of narrative chaffed me, but the genesis was well displayed and rightfully infuriating.
I have such mixed feelings about The Genesis of Misery, it was somewhat difficult for me to get through. I think this builds to be a critique of church, but it lands there fumbling. It was exciting to have a scifi written and narrated by non-binary folks, with queer and gender non-conforming characters. In general, I liked the first quarter, struggled through the whole middle, and then was drawn in and carried on by anger and confusion in the last quarter- which is when I realized where the religious commentary was going. To be transparent, I'm all in for religious criticism and picking apart zealots. So for someone anti-church, the language used (belaboriously) is painfully formal and very tiring. The use of characters full names and titles gets cumbersome. There is some strong violence in this as well, physical and psychological, I reccomend looking up content warnings for those less inclined to exposure to violence. The author did a fantastic job of showcasing the psychological derangement that happens with intense, xenophobic, religious beliefs. It was uncomfortable to experience. From what the reader gleams, morally grey is the spine of all characters and their perception (which I appreciate).
Misery starts out sly, survivalist gritty, untrusting, and certain of her mental state/condition. They don't trust what has been said of their life and purpose, not after sign after sign after sign, until they suddenly believe with their entire and whole existence, to the point that they think they are an arbiter of a gods justice and will. If you're aware this is a retelling of Joan of Arc, you know how this is gonna go.
There are some uncomfortable sex scenes that feel a bit forced- there wasn't any indicator that anyone was queer until there was sex, and seemed be necessary to prove they were queer? And maybe that's tinged by my demi-sexual need for an emotional connection for romance/sex. Which leads to my next complaint. The character building outside of the MC is nearly non-existent until that last quarter. It seemed like every non-MC was walled off and unapproachable, if anything was asked or brought up we get the moody huff and walk away like HOW DARE YOU ASK ME ANYTHING PERSONAL EVER. The only characters that break this are either after sex, or at the point the plot can no longer avoid it. I'm not sure if this is also intended as misogynist, zealot commentary, or just how the author writes? And the plot, big sigh. The plot is single coursed, with a little "ah, hah!" at the end that is fully enraging.
I will probably read Neon Yangs other books, this hasn't turned me away from their style. The content was not what I built myself up to expect, the tone of narrative chaffed me, but the genesis was well displayed and rightfully infuriating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Gore, Violence, Religious bigotry, Mental illness, Sexual content, Torture, War, Xenophobia, and Death
Moderate: Drug use, Death of parent, Alcohol, Drug abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Confinement
rorikae's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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
4.75
'The Genesis of Misery' by Neon Yang is a well crafted mech story that centers around faith.
A retelling of Joan of Arc, the story follows Misery Nomaki, a person who believes they are going mad thanks to the same voidsickness that killed their mother. But this voidsickness provides them with incredible gifts, like the ability to manipulate holystone and pilot giant mechs. When a hallucination comes to Misery telling them that their abilities are divinely sent, Misery gets pulled into the war raging between the Heretics and the Faithful. As she tries to determine if her visions are delusions from her sickness or the sign of divine intervention, she starts to have far reaching affects on the conflict.
Neon Yang's writing is sublime. They craft exquisite sentences that expand the reader's understanding of the world and place them squarely in Misery's lived experience. They have crafted a fully immersive sci-fi world that balances faith and technology. Misery is a messy character but she's easy to care for. Some parts of this story definitely made me feel like I was peeking through my fingers, trying to see how Misery was going to cause destruction and problems next while still rooting for her. It's important to know going in that this story hinges greatly on religion and faith and that is explored extensively throughout the story. I think Yang has a lot of fascinating things to say about faith and both the destruction and beauty that it can bring. This story is also deeply queer, which was wonderful. If you are interested in a story that feels akin to The Locked Tomb Series by Tamsyn Muir but with more religion thrown in and a slightly more concrete world, I would highly recommend The Genesis of Misery. I also think that this book would be good for book club discussion because there are some revelations at the end that put the story in a different light that is well worth dissecting.
A retelling of Joan of Arc, the story follows Misery Nomaki, a person who believes they are going mad thanks to the same voidsickness that killed their mother. But this voidsickness provides them with incredible gifts, like the ability to manipulate holystone and pilot giant mechs. When a hallucination comes to Misery telling them that their abilities are divinely sent, Misery gets pulled into the war raging between the Heretics and the Faithful. As she tries to determine if her visions are delusions from her sickness or the sign of divine intervention, she starts to have far reaching affects on the conflict.
Neon Yang's writing is sublime. They craft exquisite sentences that expand the reader's understanding of the world and place them squarely in Misery's lived experience. They have crafted a fully immersive sci-fi world that balances faith and technology. Misery is a messy character but she's easy to care for. Some parts of this story definitely made me feel like I was peeking through my fingers, trying to see how Misery was going to cause destruction and problems next while still rooting for her. It's important to know going in that this story hinges greatly on religion and faith and that is explored extensively throughout the story. I think Yang has a lot of fascinating things to say about faith and both the destruction and beauty that it can bring. This story is also deeply queer, which was wonderful. If you are interested in a story that feels akin to The Locked Tomb Series by Tamsyn Muir but with more religion thrown in and a slightly more concrete world, I would highly recommend The Genesis of Misery. I also think that this book would be good for book club discussion because there are some revelations at the end that put the story in a different light that is well worth dissecting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Violence, Death, Blood, War, and Murder
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, and Xenophobia
Minor: Drug use, Alcohol, and Death of parent
krisalexcole's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Religious bigotry, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Chronic illness, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Blood, Confinement, Death of parent, Gore, Violence, Death, Kidnapping, Body horror, Cursing, Medical content, Murder, Sexual content, and Torture
Minor: Alcohol and Drug use
caseythereader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thanks to Tor Books for the free advance copy of this book.
- THE GENESIS OF MISERY is a space opera retelling of the story of Joan of Arc, and I was totally gripped by it. The book is quite slow paced, but Yang's writing style is so gorgeous and the universe so compelling that I couldn't stop.
- Misery is such an intriguing protagonist. I don't want to give away too much plot, but following her character arc had me riveted.
- I adored the baked-in queerness of this universe. Dual pronouns, neopronouns, a variety of sexualities and genders, and even a bit of polyamory.
- THE GENESIS OF MISERY is a space opera retelling of the story of Joan of Arc, and I was totally gripped by it. The book is quite slow paced, but Yang's writing style is so gorgeous and the universe so compelling that I couldn't stop.
- Misery is such an intriguing protagonist. I don't want to give away too much plot, but following her character arc had me riveted.
- I adored the baked-in queerness of this universe. Dual pronouns, neopronouns, a variety of sexualities and genders, and even a bit of polyamory.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, War, Death of parent, Drug use, Alcohol, Confinement, Kidnapping, Medical content, Violence, and Murder
More...