Reviews tagging 'War'

Warchild by Karin Lowachee

3 reviews

sarah984's review against another edition

adventurous dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I thought the last 20% or so of this was pretty good, space action, catharsis without being too pat, but the rest of this was a slog. I'm assuming from how graphic it gets with sexual violence that the intended audience is adults but the main character is a child so it feels very YA in parts. The cyberpunk stuff feels goofy and pointless. The aliens are basically just cobbled together Japanese stereotypes which is kind of weird when there are theoretically Japanese people in this universe (the main character's home ship has a Japanese name!). Zero plot important female characters. Weird time skips. A whole chapter in second person for some reason.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping, Pedophilia, Rape, Torture, and Child abuse

Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, Bullying, Child death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Slavery, Homophobia, War, Confinement, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Trafficking, Death, Physical abuse, Cultural appropriation, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Gun violence, and Violence

Minor: Fatphobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Drug use

donnyeatsbooks's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Engrossing from end to end, Karin Lowachee’s WARCHILD is a certified slump-buster!

On its surface, it’s a military sci-fi epic, full of complicated politics and action-packed shoot-outs. But, more than that, it’s a compelling and surprisingly profound exploration of one young man’s coming to terms with his traumatic past, and his ultimate search for safety and community in a universe torn asunder by war.

It’s exciting, moving, and, in a genre full of macho men and toxic masculinity, refreshingly progressive! Karin Lowachee’s depiction of affection and camaraderie between men is tender and wholesome, and handled with tremendous care. I only wish I’d discovered this book as a kid, because Jos as a protagonist would’ve helped me understand and accept so much about myself so much sooner.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: War, Violence, Child abuse, Pedophilia, and Slavery

elbow's review

dark inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Torture, Kidnapping, Gun violence, Grief, War, Pedophilia, Murder, Child abuse, Sexism, Physical abuse, Trafficking, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Sexual assault, Slavery, Cursing, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, and Death of parent