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haykim's review against another edition
2.5
I really enjoyed All the Birds in the Sky, so I was excited to find this at the library. I really enjoy the concept, but this didn’t work too well for me. It felt like the world was overly complex yet underdeveloped, the characters written in a way that felt more frustrating than any thing else.
comealongphil's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
3.75
lesserjoke's review against another edition
3.0
This sci-fi novel plays with a few interesting concepts, especially in its setting of two opposing cities, the only human settlements in the narrow hospitable zone of a tidally-locked planet that will either burn or freeze anyone who wanders astray. I've enjoyed the native aliens too, a species of tentacled crocodiles from the dark side of the globe whose offers of assistance are met with horror at their appearance and disbelief in their intelligence. (They later genetically modify one of the heroines to bring her form closer to theirs for easier communication, which sickens a friend who can't accept that she consented to the procedure and is still herself. I mention that simply to note that the subtext is particularly resonant coming from a transgender author like Charlie Jane Anders.)
Unfortunately, there just isn't much of a plot to scaffold the worldbuilding, and I'm not always able to buy into the character decisions or interpersonal connections that could potentially smooth over that lack. Conflicts have major developments regularly happening off-screen or else don't resolve at all, and the protagonists are passive for long stretches of unclear motivation. Several relationships read as queer, but one of them is ultimately revealed as an unrequited crush, which raises doubt about the rest, which are likewise not explicitly spelled out. Overall, this story has more parts that I appreciate than love, although it feels like an alternate configuration of some of those pieces might have really wowed me.
[Content warning for homophobia, gun violence, police brutality, and genocide.]
Find me on Patreon | Goodreads | Blog | Twitter
Unfortunately, there just isn't much of a plot to scaffold the worldbuilding, and I'm not always able to buy into the character decisions or interpersonal connections that could potentially smooth over that lack. Conflicts have major developments regularly happening off-screen or else don't resolve at all, and the protagonists are passive for long stretches of unclear motivation. Several relationships read as queer, but one of them is ultimately revealed as an unrequited crush, which raises doubt about the rest, which are likewise not explicitly spelled out. Overall, this story has more parts that I appreciate than love, although it feels like an alternate configuration of some of those pieces might have really wowed me.
[Content warning for homophobia, gun violence, police brutality, and genocide.]
Find me on Patreon | Goodreads | Blog | Twitter
julienb_readin's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
4.0
diddy_shovel's review against another edition
0.25
Really wanted to like this. But unfortunately it is so poorly written with no depth, substance, character development, or immersive plot that I have never had to work so hard to finish a book.
The narrative voice is so immature - like a terminally online 15-year-old wrote the dialogue - made worse by the fact the characters are constantly trying to be super deep and profound. The plot contains massive and inconsistent time jumps, and there are so many forgettable characters to keep track of that for the most part you forget a story is supposed to be happening. Plus, the politics, which are posited as a central part of the story arc, are so boring and tired. Overall a pretty lame read with few redeeming features.
The narrative voice is so immature - like a terminally online 15-year-old wrote the dialogue - made worse by the fact the characters are constantly trying to be super deep and profound. The plot contains massive and inconsistent time jumps, and there are so many forgettable characters to keep track of that for the most part you forget a story is supposed to be happening. Plus, the politics, which are posited as a central part of the story arc, are so boring and tired. Overall a pretty lame read with few redeeming features.
dialhforhgai's review against another edition
4.0
The worst way to deal with failing technology is to transform human beings into machines.
clairebau's review against another edition
I didn't care about the characters. Or the plot. Or the universe.