Scan barcode
sarah984's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I liked this book a lot, but I do wish that I had read it before The Spear Cuts Through Water since that book refined a lot of the interesting touches in this one and took them farther, with more confidence. I liked the characters and the overall plot, but the big time skips made a lot of it feel sort of distant and I found the third section a bit silly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Physical abuse, Grief, and Colonisation
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Torture, Medical content, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Ableism, Animal death, Racism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Cannibalism, Fire/Fire injury, and Cultural appropriation
a_kt's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This book was so imaginative, so beautifully written, it felt like I was in a dream every time I sat down to read. Jimenez's writing style is impeccable, he really draws you in with the ethereal prose and keeps you interested with the intriguing setting, lovable characters, and mysterious twists. I really really enjoyed this book, its everything I want in a sci-fi story: not mind-numbingly complicated with millennia-long backstories and lore, and not overly simplistic with a cheap futuristic "wash". The themes were very relevant to modern day, making this "future" of humanity seem realistic and grounded, but unique enough to feel fresh and tense.
I think the only reason I wouldn't give it the full 5 stars is that there were portions of the book that were just a little too languid for my tastes, most notably the ending. Although I can see what the author was going for- trying to steadily ramp up the tension and build to a moment where you weren't sure what would happen- but unfortunately the build up was a bit drawn out which caused the conclusion to just not hit as hard and it should have.
Aside from that minor criticism, I'm so so glad I read this book and I can't wait to add Jimenez's other works to the TBR pile.
I think the only reason I wouldn't give it the full 5 stars is that there were portions of the book that were just a little too languid for my tastes, most notably the ending. Although I can see what the author was going for- trying to steadily ramp up the tension and build to a moment where you weren't sure what would happen- but unfortunately the build up was a bit drawn out which caused the conclusion to just not hit as hard and it should have.
Aside from that minor criticism, I'm so so glad I read this book and I can't wait to add Jimenez's other works to the TBR pile.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Colonisation, and Classism
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Toxic relationship