Reviews tagging 'Xenophobia'

Ocean's Echo by Everina Maxwell

4 reviews

imds's review against another edition

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Confinement, Death, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Physical abuse, Abandonment, Grief, Torture, War, Violence, Murder, Death of parent, Drug use, and Medical trauma

arydecker's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny fast-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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction

Moderate: Gun violence, War, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, and Xenophobia

jjjreads's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, War, Confinement, Medical content, Murder, Addiction, Alcohol, Classism, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Gun violence, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Police brutality, and Xenophobia

ceruleanseas's review against another edition

adventurous emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Tennal is a self-destructive socialite dubiously conscripted into a divisive military and Surit is a by-the-books lieutenant trying to overcome his mother's treasonous legacy. Both men have genetic neuromodifications, but Surit's ability to control other's movements is seen as a valuable skill, whereas Tennal's ability to read other's minds is seen as dangerous, and the military is insisting that they "sync", which would give Surit free reign to control Tennal. Surit won't do it without Tennal's explicit consent and thus begins a deception which is further muddled by military politics, emotional baggage, and a growing romantic attraction.

The character growth was pretty good (always my favorite part of a book) and the sci-fi plot was solid. The main relationship never takes a back seat to the rest of everything going on, but none of the interactions feel trope-y (even when they are) or irrelevant. If you're looking for spicy, though, look elsewhere.

With the backdrop of an interplanetary political crisis, Everina Maxwell has written a stunning exploration of what it means to know a person and to love them, and the complex connections we have with the people we call family.

Thanks to Tor and NetGalley for the ARC.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent, Xenophobia, War, Medical trauma, and Grief

Minor: Drug abuse and Drug use