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bluberrybooks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Sexual content, Body horror, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Medical content, Fatphobia, Miscarriage, and Torture
doritobabe's review against another edition
5.0
Finished several weeks from this date
~
A few weeks ago, I decided to stop writing reviews and only log star listings for books because of some internal screaming and frustrations I had regarding the popularity contest that is the goodreads review system. However, I realize now I need to make a few notes to keep track of what I read because my memory is failing me... I am getting older.
~~
This was great - a nice surprise and addition to the afro-sci fi genre. I am waiting to read the next one, though, because I am not sure if I am willing to be disappointed.
I say that because I really liked the front end of this book, and in spite of my high rating, I do feel like the end was very much lackluster compared to the engaging start.
~
A few weeks ago, I decided to stop writing reviews and only log star listings for books because of some internal screaming and frustrations I had regarding the popularity contest that is the goodreads review system. However, I realize now I need to make a few notes to keep track of what I read because my memory is failing me... I am getting older.
~~
This was great - a nice surprise and addition to the afro-sci fi genre. I am waiting to read the next one, though, because I am not sure if I am willing to be disappointed.
I say that because I really liked the front end of this book, and in spite of my high rating, I do feel like the end was very much lackluster compared to the engaging start.
wuraoye's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
larinda_booksandanxiety's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
3.5
jessreadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-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
eviestarlight's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ladylizardxvii's review against another edition
4.0
I did not start to like this book until the very end! While I found the world and the alien situation VERY interesting, I did not at all like the main character and found it very difficult to be in his head. However! He gets good character growth, and he's far more tolerable at the end. I feel like it was masterfully done on Thompson's part. And again, the base idea of the alien infestation and sensitives and Wormwood was super unique and I really enjoyed uncovering all the pieces to that puzzle. I don't have the next two on my list, but I don't think I would pass them up, either, if they came my way. I would recommend Rosewater to other sci-fi fans who like alien or near-future sci-fi!
littlepepperguy's review against another edition
Graphic violence against women. Too quickly so that seems like it will be a running theme in this book. No thank you not for me. I don't like when men write in detail about murdering partners or maiming or grievously harming. So for that reason I am out
bonafidefaygo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I never thought I'd be reading a scifi book that had aliens, psychics, fungi, zombies, secret agents, and angels (??) and come off with a positive opinion, but here we are.
At its core this is a great alien invasion story of a more long-term insidious type that I think works really well. Also, the idea of America closing itself off entirely from the world, and how that changes the geopolitical landscape is fascinating. The centering of Nigeria in the story is also so good and I can already see the potential theme of the series as an alien invasion as another sort of instance of colonization, and setting the story in Nigeria will tee that follow-through up so well.
I think the multiple timelines is effective at setting up the world and works really well, however I do think that it would benefit the novel if we had had a timeline somewhere so that it was easier to remember which threads are happening at which times.
And I found some of the plot to be lacking; however, I'm hopeful that the next books will fix this because this first novel REALLY reads as a foundation from which more books can be written from and we won't be so lost.
Overall, I enjoyed this and am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
At its core this is a great alien invasion story of a more long-term insidious type that I think works really well. Also, the idea of America closing itself off entirely from the world, and how that changes the geopolitical landscape is fascinating. The centering of Nigeria in the story is also so good and I can already see the potential theme of the series as an alien invasion as another sort of instance of colonization, and setting the story in Nigeria will tee that follow-through up so well.
I think the multiple timelines is effective at setting up the world and works really well, however I do think that it would benefit the novel if we had had a timeline somewhere so that it was easier to remember which threads are happening at which times.
And I found some of the plot to be lacking; however, I'm hopeful that the next books will fix this because this first novel REALLY reads as a foundation from which more books can be written from and we won't be so lost.
Overall, I enjoyed this and am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.