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zoe_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was really, really good. I highly recommend reading An Unkindness of Ghosts, though I'll not be able to properly/eloquently explain why. Just, take my word for it and run. It's a story you have to experience for yourself.
Firstly, I'm quite impressed by the overall metaphor of the "great ship" with its many levels and such. I'm not impressed because it was super out there, in fact it was rather simple, but it was used so effectively that I couldn't help but like it. It obiously hits pretty close to home but with certain restrictions, allowing this book to make some very frank commentary without appearing ungenerous to real life.
I also enjoyed Aster as a character. I liked how frank and open she was, how well her motivations were explained (and yet she was never predictable). It was also interesting to see this level of non-judgemental autism rep (especially because this book is already a handful of years old). Generally, Solomon did a great job with the characters, due to the changes in perspectives the "big 4 characters" felt very real and fleshed out -- and the antagonists were deliberately separated from such understanding. Although I struggled with understanding Giselle as a character, I think she was developed quite well and am writing this off as personal preference (Giselle reminded me a tiny little bit of someone I used to know and that was... unpleasant).
Lastly, though I don't feel like I ever struggled understanding the plot, it did need a little more work. There was a lot of attention diverted to the characters and their interactions and understanding of their situation, and the plot was often left in the dark. There are long stretches where the "central plotline" does not move at all and suddenly the book tells you that "and this is were some people would say history begins" just for nothing to happen again until the very last chapter. It's a good plot, but not particularly well done.
Firstly, I'm quite impressed by the overall metaphor of the "great ship" with its many levels and such. I'm not impressed because it was super out there, in fact it was rather simple, but it was used so effectively that I couldn't help but like it. It obiously hits pretty close to home but with certain restrictions, allowing this book to make some very frank commentary without appearing ungenerous to real life.
I also enjoyed Aster as a character. I liked how frank and open she was, how well her motivations were explained (and yet she was never predictable). It was also interesting to see this level of non-judgemental autism rep (especially because this book is already a handful of years old). Generally, Solomon did a great job with the characters, due to the changes in perspectives the "big 4 characters" felt very real and fleshed out -- and the antagonists were deliberately separated from such understanding. Although I struggled with understanding Giselle as a character, I think she was developed quite well and am writing this off as personal preference (Giselle reminded me a tiny little bit of someone I used to know and that was... unpleasant).
Lastly, though I don't feel like I ever struggled understanding the plot, it did need a little more work. There was a lot of attention diverted to the characters and their interactions and understanding of their situation, and the plot was often left in the dark. There are long stretches where the "central plotline" does not move at all and suddenly the book tells you that "and this is were some people would say history begins" just for nothing to happen again until the very last chapter. It's a good plot, but not particularly well done.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Xenophobia, Suicide attempt, Racial slurs, and Police brutality
Moderate: Torture and Sexual violence
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