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see_sadie_read's review against another edition
4.0
3.5
Another winner from Sanders. The world-building here is fabulous. Though I've read several stories in this world, I think you get a pretty good idea of its complexity here in condensed form.
The main character Shandolin (Doe) is likable as are the side characters. But what's really great is that you get diversity in the cast, both in the racial divisions of the elves, Qin, satyrs, humans, etc (though not all of them play a big part in this book), but also in sexuality, gender orientation, body types, and relationship styles. And all of it is just part of who they are, no need to make it the conflict on which the story hinges.
The infant social revolt that the story does hinge on is sketched out fairly faintly. Much of it depends on connections Doe made before the beginning of the story. But there is certainly enough to follow and believe it. I did feel the end was a bit rushed. Though I liked the ending just fine, it did seem to come about quite easily.
As an aside, and I'm really not sure as it's been over a year since I read [b:Ariah|25450286|Ariah (Ariah, #1)|B.R. Sanders|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1430518084s/25450286.jpg|24936071], but I think some of these might be side characters from the middle of that book. I'm not sure, as I said, but they all felt so familiar but I'm not certain on the names. Can anyone give me a yes or no on that idea? I see another review that said this is a whole new cast. So, now I'm doubting myself.
Another winner from Sanders. The world-building here is fabulous. Though I've read several stories in this world, I think you get a pretty good idea of its complexity here in condensed form.
The main character Shandolin (Doe) is likable as are the side characters. But what's really great is that you get diversity in the cast, both in the racial divisions of the elves, Qin, satyrs, humans, etc (though not all of them play a big part in this book), but also in sexuality, gender orientation, body types, and relationship styles. And all of it is just part of who they are, no need to make it the conflict on which the story hinges.
The infant social revolt that the story does hinge on is sketched out fairly faintly. Much of it depends on connections Doe made before the beginning of the story. But there is certainly enough to follow and believe it. I did feel the end was a bit rushed. Though I liked the ending just fine, it did seem to come about quite easily.
As an aside, and I'm really not sure as it's been over a year since I read [b:Ariah|25450286|Ariah (Ariah, #1)|B.R. Sanders|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1430518084s/25450286.jpg|24936071], but I think some of these might be side characters from the middle of that book. I'm not sure, as I said, but they all felt so familiar but I'm not certain on the names. Can anyone give me a yes or no on that idea? I see another review that said this is a whole new cast. So, now I'm doubting myself.
see_sadie_read's review
4.0
3.5
Another winner from Sanders. The world-building here is fabulous. Though I've read several stories in this world, I think you get a pretty good idea of its complexity here in condensed form.
The main character Shandolin (Doe) is likable as are the side characters. But what's really great is that you get diversity in the cast, both in the racial divisions of the elves, Qin, satyrs, humans, etc (though not all of them play a big part in this book), but also in sexuality, gender orientation, body types, and relationship styles. And all of it is just part of who they are, no need to make it the conflict on which the story hinges.
The infant social revolt that the story does hinge on is sketched out fairly faintly. Much of it depends on connections Doe made before the beginning of the story. But there is certainly enough to follow and believe it. I did feel the end was a bit rushed. Though I liked the ending just fine, it did seem to come about quite easily.
As an aside, and I'm really not sure as it's been over a year since I read [b:Ariah|25450286|Ariah (Ariah, #1)|B.R. Sanders|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1430518084s/25450286.jpg|24936071], but I think some of these might be side characters from the middle of that book. I'm not sure, as I said, but they all felt so familiar but I'm not certain on the names. Can anyone give me a yes or no on that idea? I see another review that said this is a whole new cast. So, now I'm doubting myself.
Another winner from Sanders. The world-building here is fabulous. Though I've read several stories in this world, I think you get a pretty good idea of its complexity here in condensed form.
The main character Shandolin (Doe) is likable as are the side characters. But what's really great is that you get diversity in the cast, both in the racial divisions of the elves, Qin, satyrs, humans, etc (though not all of them play a big part in this book), but also in sexuality, gender orientation, body types, and relationship styles. And all of it is just part of who they are, no need to make it the conflict on which the story hinges.
The infant social revolt that the story does hinge on is sketched out fairly faintly. Much of it depends on connections Doe made before the beginning of the story. But there is certainly enough to follow and believe it. I did feel the end was a bit rushed. Though I liked the ending just fine, it did seem to come about quite easily.
As an aside, and I'm really not sure as it's been over a year since I read [b:Ariah|25450286|Ariah (Ariah, #1)|B.R. Sanders|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1430518084s/25450286.jpg|24936071], but I think some of these might be side characters from the middle of that book. I'm not sure, as I said, but they all felt so familiar but I'm not certain on the names. Can anyone give me a yes or no on that idea? I see another review that said this is a whole new cast. So, now I'm doubting myself.
coolcurrybooks's review
4.0
In short, Resistance is about a bisexual elf and her girlfriend overthrowing the government. Now there’s an elevator pitch that grabs my attention!
Last year I read and loved Ariah by B.R. Sanders, so I decided to check out more books by the author. Resistance is their debut novel, which is set in the same world as Ariah. I had fun with it, but it never struck me the way Ariah did.
Shandolin is an elf in a city ruled by Qin. Although the majority of the city’s population is elfin, the vampire-like Qin retain tight control over the city. Shandolin is a rebel who runs an underground revolutionary press. She and her friends have managed to stay out of reach of the Qin… until Shadolin (Doe) finds one of her friends murdered in the street. The Qin have hired assassins to take out Doe and other elves who are resisting their rule. Luckily, Doe has the help of her friends and her girlfriend, Rivna, who is herself an assassin. The only way that they’ll ever be able to live openly again is if they organize the city to destroy the Qin’s strangle hold on power.
At a certain point while reading Resistance, I had a realization. This is the book I’ve always wanted to write. My senior year of high school, I started trying to write a novel length story about a bi elvish conwoman in a trading city filled with a number of different species, where she, her girlfriend, and her friends were trying to overthrow the local tyrant by means of a heist. I ultimately didn’t get even a third through the story. I may love reading, but that doesn’t always translate into writing fiction. So I am incredibly happy that B.R. Sanders wrote the sort of story I’ve always wanted – a queer, female led heist with amazing world building.
But for all that, I kept finding myself putting down Resistance and going to do other things. My best guess is that the heist and plot let me down. It’s relatively uncomplicated, without any of the twists and turns I love those sorts of plots for. On a more nebulous note, Resistance just wasn’t enough. I left it wanting more from the characters and story.
While I think Resistance is decent for a debut novel, it pales compared to the author’s later work. That said, I think it’s still a fairly enjoyable story. If the basic premise appeals to you, you might as well give it a go.
The Illustrated Page.
Last year I read and loved Ariah by B.R. Sanders, so I decided to check out more books by the author. Resistance is their debut novel, which is set in the same world as Ariah. I had fun with it, but it never struck me the way Ariah did.
Shandolin is an elf in a city ruled by Qin. Although the majority of the city’s population is elfin, the vampire-like Qin retain tight control over the city. Shandolin is a rebel who runs an underground revolutionary press. She and her friends have managed to stay out of reach of the Qin… until Shadolin (Doe) finds one of her friends murdered in the street. The Qin have hired assassins to take out Doe and other elves who are resisting their rule. Luckily, Doe has the help of her friends and her girlfriend, Rivna, who is herself an assassin. The only way that they’ll ever be able to live openly again is if they organize the city to destroy the Qin’s strangle hold on power.
At a certain point while reading Resistance, I had a realization. This is the book I’ve always wanted to write. My senior year of high school, I started trying to write a novel length story about a bi elvish conwoman in a trading city filled with a number of different species, where she, her girlfriend, and her friends were trying to overthrow the local tyrant by means of a heist. I ultimately didn’t get even a third through the story. I may love reading, but that doesn’t always translate into writing fiction. So I am incredibly happy that B.R. Sanders wrote the sort of story I’ve always wanted – a queer, female led heist with amazing world building.
But for all that, I kept finding myself putting down Resistance and going to do other things. My best guess is that the heist and plot let me down. It’s relatively uncomplicated, without any of the twists and turns I love those sorts of plots for. On a more nebulous note, Resistance just wasn’t enough. I left it wanting more from the characters and story.
While I think Resistance is decent for a debut novel, it pales compared to the author’s later work. That said, I think it’s still a fairly enjoyable story. If the basic premise appeals to you, you might as well give it a go.
The Illustrated Page.
strange_little_ranger's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Hate crime, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Abandonment, Addiction, Blood, Death, Grief, and Violence
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