Scan barcode
funktious's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
4.5
This is the sort of book that makes it very clear I had a secondary modern education, even if they don’t call it that anymore! Anything I’ve picked up about classical education has been from my own reading and even that was sadly lacking when it comes to actual philosophy. But Jo Walton is excellent at introducing ideas in a really readable way, with engaging and sympathetic characters. I love Simmea and I just want good things for her! I’ll definitely be picking up The Philosopher Kings as the ending was abrupt and I want to know where the experiment goes.
Spoiler re sexual violence
there are several instances of rape in this book but I found that important in the context of the experiment - if you take a bunch of philosophers to an island where they’re committed to creating a society in which men and women will be treated equally, will there still be rape? If you raise children from the age of 10 on that island and tell them they’re all equal, will there still be rape and will the boys claim ownership of the girls? Does philosophy outweigh patriarchy? Walton doesn’t seem to think so and I’m inclined to agree.
Spoiler re sexual violence
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Slavery
zober's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I had really high hopes for this one - I assumed it was in the vein of Ada Palmer's Terra Ignota series, since both authors have stated that they've been helped/influenced by each another. The premise is fun - use some time traveling to bring together people from different eras to try and create Plato's idea of a Just City. Some of the characters are interesting, and I love the mesh of fantasy and philosophy.
There were three narrators with alternating viewpoint sections, but the narrative voice was very similar for all of them. Dialogue felt stilted; I suppose if I'm being generous I'd say it's to invoke the feeling that this has been translated from characters speaking in Greek and Latin, but it makes for a really dry read.
The ending was abrupt and very unsatisfying. I suppose something does happen that can be described as the climax of the book, but despite that it felt anti-climactic as a whole. I found out this is actually the first book in a trilogy, but I don't like it enough to keep reading. If you want to read, check content warnings.
There were three narrators with alternating viewpoint sections, but the narrative voice was very similar for all of them. Dialogue felt stilted; I suppose if I'm being generous I'd say it's to invoke the feeling that this has been translated from characters speaking in Greek and Latin, but it makes for a really dry read.
The ending was abrupt and very unsatisfying. I suppose something does happen that can be described as the climax of the book, but despite that it felt anti-climactic as a whole. I found out this is actually the first book in a trilogy, but I don't like it enough to keep reading. If you want to read, check content warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
lizziedy's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Athena works with philosophers through time to create Plato's republic.
It's an interesting premise that was only adequately executed. There's a debate between Socrates and Athena, which could have been an amazing display of rhetoric but ended up disappointing. The ending was flat. The characters all sounded the same. It got the stars it did because it was still an interesting exploration of the republic. I just wish anothet author had the idea.
It's an interesting premise that was only adequately executed. There's a debate between Socrates and Athena, which could have been an amazing display of rhetoric but ended up disappointing. The ending was flat. The characters all sounded the same. It got the stars it did because it was still an interesting exploration of the republic. I just wish anothet author had the idea.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
ellanarose's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Sexual content, Child death, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Slavery
Minor: Ableism
silvereli's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, and Slavery
Minor: Death of parent and Child death
abishop23's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Child death
rini's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Slavery
Moderate: Abandonment, Ableism, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Mental illness, Sexism, and Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol, Suicide, and Vomit
Eugenicsmcampany's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Slavery
joyfuljazzy1's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
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
4.25
The book was something I have to read for college and I did thoroughly enjoy it. The characters took me on a rollercoaster of likable, to not, to despising them. The ending was quite abrupt and quite unsatisfactory even though it was trying to set up for the next book in the trilogy. I do wish there were trigger warnings in this book. As someone that didn't know this book was about or existed and is not heavily into Greek mythology, it would've definitely helped.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual content, Pregnancy, and Ableism
Minor: Child death, Death, and Death of parent
commander_zander's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-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
5.0
I recommend this book! A triumphant example of a story based on the desire to achieve rather than the desire to survive conflict. Characters who are both smart & grounded. Characters exploring the limits of human nature & human communities.
Premise: 200 people from many centuries gather from across time to make the universe's best school.
Premise: 200 people from many centuries gather from across time to make the universe's best school.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Pedophilia
Moderate: Rape and Misogyny