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msmith7344's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
misstwosense's review
5.0
Unbelievably sad, this is a science fiction novel about a futuristic war with aliens that is one of the realest depictions of actual wear that I've ever read.
I think it has some fascinating things to say about masculinity, childhood, and the nature of trauma. Every part of it feels real and authentic, as far as the character work goes.
It's a little dated at this point I will say (the sort of 3d hacking stuff feels even more dated than the actual release date of the book would indicate, in fact), but any awkwardness there or in the somewhat cliche at times description of the aliens is made up for by the depth of the characters and the tight plotting. The language itself is quite moving as well.
This is not the easiest read, content wise, but I found the often extremely delicate subject matter handled with nuance, dignity, and respect for the characters and the suffering they endure. This book isn't about shock value. It's not gratuitous in the delicate subject matter it explores. But its honest, and that may be hard for most people to read. There's no distance here for the reader to protect themselves with. But I found it worth the emotional difficulty. Some things we shouldn't look away from and sci-fi is always at its best when, underneath the trappings of the genre, something relevant to our own life and times still exists underneath. This 18 year old novel still feels relevant to me.
I think it has some fascinating things to say about masculinity, childhood, and the nature of trauma. Every part of it feels real and authentic, as far as the character work goes.
It's a little dated at this point I will say (the sort of 3d hacking stuff feels even more dated than the actual release date of the book would indicate, in fact), but any awkwardness there or in the somewhat cliche at times description of the aliens is made up for by the depth of the characters and the tight plotting. The language itself is quite moving as well.
This is not the easiest read, content wise, but I found the often extremely delicate subject matter handled with nuance, dignity, and respect for the characters and the suffering they endure. This book isn't about shock value. It's not gratuitous in the delicate subject matter it explores. But its honest, and that may be hard for most people to read. There's no distance here for the reader to protect themselves with. But I found it worth the emotional difficulty. Some things we shouldn't look away from and sci-fi is always at its best when, underneath the trappings of the genre, something relevant to our own life and times still exists underneath. This 18 year old novel still feels relevant to me.
gardenprophet's review
dark
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
NOT A HAPPY BOOK
aliceboule's review
5.0
I got Warchild before boarding my plane, with the intention of reading it once I had arrived in LA. That failed.
Why you should read this book?
Consider this : I was very very hungover on that plane, as well as dead tired considering I had slept 3 hours the night prior, and even then I stayed up the ENTIRE flight (12 hours) reading Warchild
Not enough to convince you?
Consider this : Everything that is great in a book is here. And if you like an edge of darkness - as I do - then look no further. Warchild combines darkness with adventure, abuse with love, science fiction and fantasy (aliens AND the elf culture)!
It's dark and it's beautiful, and above all it's not always perfect.
The bad thing?
It ends.
Why you should read this book?
Consider this : I was very very hungover on that plane, as well as dead tired considering I had slept 3 hours the night prior, and even then I stayed up the ENTIRE flight (12 hours) reading Warchild
Not enough to convince you?
Consider this : Everything that is great in a book is here. And if you like an edge of darkness - as I do - then look no further. Warchild combines darkness with adventure, abuse with love, science fiction and fantasy (aliens AND the elf culture)!
It's dark and it's beautiful, and above all it's not always perfect.
The bad thing?
It ends.
bearpolar's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.0
graceviola's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
mary_soon_lee's review
5.0
Spoilers ahead.
I want to avoid very plot-specific spoilers, but I note in general terms that the book is science fiction with faster-than-light spaceships, aliens, pirates, war. It's a book that I could criticize if I stepped back a little from it. I could say that the plot feels engineered to put the protagonist in particular situations. I could say that there's a certain simplicity to some of the supporting characters. I could say that the aliens are perhaps a little too human. But that would be disingenuous, because while I was reading I was captivated. And when I wasn't reading, the main character kept calling me back. And human-similar or not, I thought the aliens and their culture were beautifully evoked.
Very highly recommended, though be aware that there is dark content, including abuse and threat to children.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
Spoiler
This book waited on my shelves for over five years. I started it a couple of times over those years, but the beginning is very dark and written in second person (second person generally being somewhat distracting). Worse, the protagonist, to whom bad things are happening, is a young child, and so I set the book aside. This time, I read far enough to be pulled in, hook, line, and sinker. I found it riveting throughout, and at times close to heartbreaking.I want to avoid very plot-specific spoilers, but I note in general terms that the book is science fiction with faster-than-light spaceships, aliens, pirates, war. It's a book that I could criticize if I stepped back a little from it. I could say that the plot feels engineered to put the protagonist in particular situations. I could say that there's a certain simplicity to some of the supporting characters. I could say that the aliens are perhaps a little too human. But that would be disingenuous, because while I was reading I was captivated. And when I wasn't reading, the main character kept calling me back. And human-similar or not, I thought the aliens and their culture were beautifully evoked.
Very highly recommended, though be aware that there is dark content, including abuse and threat to children.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
carolined314's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
An interesting take on politics and colonization and trauma, all oddly from the viewpoint of a young white man. Great aliens.
maddaddam's review
dark
emotional
sad
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? It's complicated
4.75
jmoses's review
4.0
I liked this book a bunch. It's more about the characters and their relationships than about anything scifi/futuristic. It's not hard sci-fi by any means. I very much enjoyed that it wasn't all . I get tired of that.