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3.24 AVERAGE
3.24 AVERAGE
The premise was more interesting to me than the actual execution.
slow-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:
Yes
I've always been a fan of Beukes' genre hybrid works because of how adeptly she plays with and around formula in service of a story. Whether it's time-traveling serial killers, hardboiled mystery with animal familiar fantasy, or surreal art-house/horror crime thrillers, everything is just cool and very fun to read. While I can't say I've been very much in the mood for any dystopian fiction (let alone one that leads to prostate cancer, when I work in oncology...), the idea of American dystopian noir thriller with all the wise snark and flair Beukes is known for sounded like a great time.
Oddly enough, I was rather underwhelmed to start the book. Details were rich, the narrative voice was VERY sarcastic and playful, and the storytelling breadcrumbs were quite tasty. However, right around when those neon nuns showed up at the halfway point - and we're treated to a very-well-handled exposition dump - things took a turn for the hella interesting. The parallels between religious devotion and motherhood were handled quite well, and the race to the finish was well worth the journey. Tight, fun, and harrowing, this is a dystopia that is a tad bit lighter than I expected, and no, I won't make the joke that the story lacked a certain je ne sais quoi. A nearly complete package (groan).
Oddly enough, I was rather underwhelmed to start the book. Details were rich, the narrative voice was VERY sarcastic and playful, and the storytelling breadcrumbs were quite tasty. However, right around when those neon nuns showed up at the halfway point - and we're treated to a very-well-handled exposition dump - things took a turn for the hella interesting. The parallels between religious devotion and motherhood were handled quite well, and the race to the finish was well worth the journey. Tight, fun, and harrowing, this is a dystopia that is a tad bit lighter than I expected, and no, I won't make the joke that the story lacked a certain je ne sais quoi. A nearly complete package (groan).
adventurous
challenging
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It doesn’t answer (or even directly ask) the most interesting questions about the world, just leaves them there to unpack and tells a story within it. I like that! Awesome writing, teases out all the info in an exciting and paced way. I like the differences in prose - Miles and Cole pretty similar, Billie’s in its stilted irreverent machine gun. The religious group and their ‘draw’ felt compelling and real. Hard not to think of The Power, and it’s great to see this one show some restraint so the reader can get more out of it.
Fav author kills it again. Would have liked less time with the church cult.
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not what I was expecting or hoping for. A pretty dull read honestly, I wanted something edgier and more action packed.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Intriguing premise and strong start with great alternating points of view (and different styles of writing for each character), but went off the rails in the last third, which is saying something for a sci-fi thriller.