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agavemonster's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
"Would you destroy a better world to save this one?"
Brilliant! I absolutely loved the presumptive pronouns assigned by the narrator, the explorations of Life's Big Questions through the lenses of multiple characters and their priest-cum-therapists, the wild experimentations with form, genre, and tone, and the slowly unraveling realization that this "utopia" (still wildly surveilled and a dystopia by many of our current standards of living) has many, many darknesses wrapped at its core. Three-quarters stars off for what I perceived as a clumsy characterization and dialogue of both children and what are meant to be "charming" characters, but I must say, now that I've read the whole book, I can appreciate what the author was intentionally doing with those more juvenile sections. Contra many other reviewers, I appreciated thesudden turn into sexuality and violence, as when we discover Mycroft's crimes and when Mycroft was first accosted by Saladin, as the embodiment of the characters in this future world seemed to be a little missing in previous chapters. I was ultimately surprised, relieved, and amused by the knowledge that the author can do "adult" topics, as many in SFF can't or won't, and was choosing not to use them (by having the narrator choose not to use them) until the moment they would cause the most shock. Clever turnaround!!!
The only part of the world I still want to see revealed is the sexual/romantic dynamics of the "accepted" mainstream genderless society, as we get a good look at every type of relationship in this future world (familial, friendly, rivalry, servitude, taboo "genderful" brothel) other than that.
Still slightly less elegant overall than I think the author was striving for, especially since I got lost so much in all the plurality of nicknames different characters have for one another, but it is a first novel. Would recommend, absolutely.
Brilliant! I absolutely loved the presumptive pronouns assigned by the narrator, the explorations of Life's Big Questions through the lenses of multiple characters and their priest-cum-therapists, the wild experimentations with form, genre, and tone, and the slowly unraveling realization that this "utopia" (still wildly surveilled and a dystopia by many of our current standards of living) has many, many darknesses wrapped at its core. Three-quarters stars off for what I perceived as a clumsy characterization and dialogue of both children and what are meant to be "charming" characters, but I must say, now that I've read the whole book, I can appreciate what the author was intentionally doing with those more juvenile sections. Contra many other reviewers, I appreciated the
The only part of the world I still want to see revealed is the sexual/romantic dynamics of the "accepted" mainstream genderless society, as we get a good look at every type of relationship in this future world (familial, friendly, rivalry, servitude, taboo "genderful" brothel) other than that.
Still slightly less elegant overall than I think the author was striving for, especially since I got lost so much in all the plurality of nicknames different characters have for one another, but it is a first novel. Would recommend, absolutely.
Graphic: Gore and Torture
Minor: Sexual violence, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
gracefully_jk's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
informative
mysterious
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
4.0
This book was… an experience to read. In many ways it was fascinating and the world building was incredibly interesting. I personally have great difficulty with graphic violence and so I struggled a bit with this book even though I had had someone read it before me and block out certain parts with sticky notes! That being said, its approach to gender, sex, religion, and politics was very interesting, even though I didn’t always agree with it. Very cool! An amazing debut book!
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Kidnapping, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Rape, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, and War
mishnah's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
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
4.25
Moderate: Death, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
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