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maximum_moxie's review against another edition
5.0
Disorienting, strange, heartbreakingly beautiful. Not a beginner’s novel, as it involves multiple timelines and formats that are purposefully confusing. But that’s the beauty and power of this book—not having all the answers. Radiance is one for lovers of postmodern literary fiction as much as sci fi readers.
rebeccafish23's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
hellokicia's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
swamp_hag's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ohclaire's review against another edition
4.0
I'm going to go back and change my inflated rating for the Great Gatsby, because I feel sorta similarly about them. The only difference is that Gatsby was required reading, and I put this book on last year's Christmas list. It sounded like something I would like: cool world, found footage-style. But I got bogged down by the dense writing, and I was not a fan of the ending (which I guessed 2/3 of the way through). Still, the worldbuilding was inspiring. I'd say it was worthwhile just for that, but I was disappointed because I really thought this would be my next favorite book.
EDIT: Upgraded to 4 stars because I can't stop thinking about it.
EDIT: Upgraded to 4 stars because I can't stop thinking about it.
alchemizaak's review against another edition
I think this would be better to read in written format
quinniethepoohwho's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I’m written by catherynne m valente
mustakarppi's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ettuladyblue's review against another edition
4.0
What a fun trippy ride through space, time, movies and whales. Enjoyed this way more than I thought. It does play fast and loose with genres, and you're never going to get a straight answer.
What's more important, the truth we know or the truth we create? And does it matter?
What's more important, the truth we know or the truth we create? And does it matter?
aranafyre's review against another edition
5.0
I found this book fascinating. It was extremely intriguing and entertaining. I found I had to focus and look back and think about what I read in ways most books I pick up do not challenge me to do and I enjoyed that tremendously. I loved the broken timeline and the various storytelling formats streaming together to form a whole.
I loved the feel of the world as well. It has elements of gothic, mystery, and adventure as well as 1920's-1940's fashion. Beautifully crafted.
It did take me a while to get immersed into the world and I found myself much more successful when I was able to sit down and read for extended periods.
Mid-way through I was both hoping and fearing that Valente would answer the questions to the mysteries of Severin's mother and her disappearance. I did like what Valente did come up with but I feel I would have loved the book even more if I did not know what happened. Though on some level, the answers are not true; they are the fictional movie script of what Vincenza Mako shows at the end of the book. However, I would have preferred not having them.
I would highly recommend to certain readers but not everyone.
I loved the feel of the world as well. It has elements of gothic, mystery, and adventure as well as 1920's-1940's fashion. Beautifully crafted.
It did take me a while to get immersed into the world and I found myself much more successful when I was able to sit down and read for extended periods.
Mid-way through I was both hoping and fearing that Valente would answer the questions to the mysteries of Severin's mother and her disappearance. I did like what Valente did come up with but I feel I would have loved the book even more if I did not know what happened. Though on some level, the answers are not true; they are the fictional movie script of what Vincenza Mako shows at the end of the book. However, I would have preferred not having them.
I would highly recommend to certain readers but not everyone.