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voxvenati's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-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
5.0
When I started this book, I thought it was a strong 3 star. I have never been so pleased to be wrong.
At the start, I hated Kyr. Borderline stopped reading because I found her to be so awful. I hated the gender essentialism, internalized and otherwise. I hated the bleak world. But it fascinated me, even so, and I read on.
Every character I thought I hated had such character growth. By the end, I honestly loved every single major character. These were some of the best character arcs I have ever seen, full stop.
The single thing I’m going to say I really did not care for was the characterization of Avi as a redhead. He is unlikable, gay, promiscuous, unattractive. These are some stereotypes that get applied to redheads regularly (though some not as often to men). Didn’t love the stereotype, but I do love Avi. So.
I am such a sucker for aliens and sentient ai/whatever was going on with the Wisdom. LOVED the character growth it? They? Got at the end. “I am a pleasure yacht.” !!!
And Yiso. I want to kiss them on their little crest!!! Every time they were hurt, I was physically upset. I love them so much.
This whole spoiler section is just me gushing, but the two of them deserve it.
It’s such a cliche to say I couldn’t put this down, but for the later 80% of the book, I was losing sleep, carving out breaks in my work day just to keep reading. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I was sobbing by the end.
In one book, Emily Tesh has become an auto-read author for me. If you enjoy explorations of nationalism, fascism, cult tactics, found family, identity, and purpose, you have to give this book a shot. It won’t be for everyone (please check those trigger warnings), but this got into my brain and has lodged itself there. Excellent read.
At the start, I hated Kyr. Borderline stopped reading because I found her to be so awful. I hated the gender essentialism, internalized and otherwise. I hated the bleak world. But it fascinated me, even so, and I read on.
Every character I thought I hated had such character growth. By the end, I honestly loved every single major character. These were some of the best character arcs I have ever seen, full stop.
I am such a sucker for aliens and sentient ai/whatever was going on with the Wisdom. LOVED the character growth it? They? Got at the end. “I am a pleasure yacht.” !!!
And Yiso. I want to kiss them on their little crest!!! Every time they were hurt, I was physically upset. I love them so much.
This whole spoiler section is just me gushing, but the two of them deserve it.
It’s such a cliche to say I couldn’t put this down, but for the later 80% of the book, I was losing sleep, carving out breaks in my work day just to keep reading. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I was sobbing by the end.
In one book, Emily Tesh has become an auto-read author for me. If you enjoy explorations of nationalism, fascism, cult tactics, found family, identity, and purpose, you have to give this book a shot. It won’t be for everyone (please check those trigger warnings), but this got into my brain and has lodged itself there. Excellent read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Violence
Moderate: Pedophilia, Sexual assault, War, and Rape
Minor: Police brutality
toopunkrockforshul's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
Really loved this, it kept me on my toes the whole way through and the characters were so interesting and compelling. The audiobook was amazing too, the narrator did a great job with all of the voices. Wonderful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Murder, Grief, Death, Xenophobia, Cursing, Violence, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Suicide, and War
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Genocide, Rape, and Pregnancy
Minor: Police brutality, Racism, Incest, Abortion, and Outing
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