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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
This was not what I expected from a classic sci fi novel, or really any classics, but it shocked me with some of the things it explored. Specifically gender, sexuality and identity. We follow Genly Ai, an emissary on Winter, whose mission is to persuade the Gethenians to join the Ekumen. The world building in this book was phenomenal. The politics, religions, cultures and even dialect that we got to see through the book were fascinating. It was really interesting that all of the people on this planet were ambisexual and to see how Ai understands them. I really enjoyed getting the POV from one of the natives of this planet as well. I do think some of the pacing was too slow for me so that’s why I didn’t love this more. I understand that this isn’t supposed to be super plot heavy though, so that’s just a personal preference. But I love a good study on humans (or aliens) and humanity/connection in general and this was a great look at that!
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-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:
No
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Hard work that pays off. It isn’t an easy read but when it comes together it is so worth it. A beautiful story that has to be fought with to gain its secrets. But turns into a really special story.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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:
No
The Right foot of kicked it in the gender fluid genitals.
This book is in the Pantheon of Science Fiction books, but I don’t think it was for me. I did enjoy reading it and I’m glad I did, it was soooo dense. I liked the story, but it took a while to get into it because there’s so much alien vocabulary used that’s not explained in depth. Then there’s chapters towards the middle/end that are nothing, which creates a sense of isolation and really focuses on what the characters were going through, but I was bored.