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jaredt's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
I eyed this book for months before buying it. The black and blue hardcover enticed me. Finally, I decided to flip to a few random pages, figured if I liked them enough on their own I would get it. Every page I happened on was quite reflective and introspective, which I dig, so I knew it would be a fun read for me.
And it was! Went in a few directions I wasn't expecting, but still enjoyed. Though I did lose some steam in the other stories outside of Ha's. I figured there would be enough overlap or connection between the stories to give a good enough payoff, and I would say it exceeded for me.
What hooked me the most was the philosophical approach to understanding another species so different from humans, in body and nerves and mind. And it took me to really see at the end that these are cyberpunk settings, and so the story followed that setting. I knew that as soon as the technologies were introduced at the start, but its also in the way it closes up the narrative.
I would say this is not a book for folks wanting a focus on only the octopus sentience, and not interested in the cyberpunk setting and themes that come with it. Also while there is some action, it's not a book for readers looking for quick chase scenes or drawn out fights.
This *IS* a book for fans of that subgenre, as well as wanting something dealing with scifi that is quite reflective, discussing both linguistic development and the nature of humanity and connection.
Graphic: Slavery, Gore, and Death
Minor: Animal death
hendrixpants's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
aturb92's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Animal cruelty
Minor: Self harm
kimu's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Death and Violence
maecave15's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Confinement, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Murder, Violence, Animal cruelty, Blood, Slavery, and Vomit
kylieqrada's review
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Slavery, Death, and Trafficking
Moderate: Suicide, Animal death, and Mental illness
Minor: Self harm
literatellama's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Slavery, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
booksbutmakeitgay's review against another edition
3.0
Moderate: Confinement, Kidnapping, Suicide, Animal death, Blood, Slavery, Vomit, Death, Mental illness, and Self harm
eh1736's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
Moderate: Death
Minor: Self harm
lbelow's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Gore, Death, Violence, Gun violence, Torture, Confinement, Slavery, Murder, and Kidnapping
Minor: Suicide