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akmcclen85's review
1.0
I realize the author is probably shooting for a kind of heightened reality here, but the language she uses is so overwrought. The plot is nearly nonexistent; the whole thing feels like an exercise in nihilism and sex and death.
sam_hildebrandt's review
3.0
Wow! Just wow!!! I've read Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood, and this puts that dystopia to shame. The world with its complex issues Lydia creates is thought-provoking, and somewhat realistic in USA politics today. I was hooked after the first chapter, and didn't put it down. I enjoyed Christine's and Trinc's relationship, as well as Joan's and Leone's. Nyx was a little confusing at times. I'm definitely going to take a few days to let the theme soak into my consciousness.
johnbradley2's review
4.0
A completely bonkers take on the Joan of Arc mythos. Doesn't always stick the landing, but a great ride.
gwenllian_x's review against another edition
dark
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
1.0
Not good. I enjoyed the first half and was hopeful for interesting commentary on what it means to be a woman where everyone’s genitals have disappeared. But no it was just transphobic.
and the plot and action was shit. it had pretty language but no substance and the ending was stupid and felt rushed
and the plot and action was shit. it had pretty language but no substance and the ending was stupid and felt rushed
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia
terroreesa's review
3.0
this book was a lot. it's not for everyone.
i think my biggest frustration was the build-up of Joan as this mythically powerful woman, but her first-person narrative revealed her as anything but. book three was a real letdown; i wanted more characterization of Trinculo and Nyx, and the Jean de Men reveal at the end felt anticlimactic and frankly unnecessary. but the worst aspect of it was definitely the switch to Joan's voice. not that an ordinary woman can't be heroic, obviously, but she seemed so wildly unaware of her power and its source. Christine's version of Joan's story depicts Joan as much more of an active agent in her own mythos.
i think my biggest frustration was the build-up of Joan as this mythically powerful woman, but her first-person narrative revealed her as anything but. book three was a real letdown; i wanted more characterization of Trinculo and Nyx, and the Jean de Men reveal at the end felt anticlimactic and frankly unnecessary. but the worst aspect of it was definitely the switch to Joan's voice. not that an ordinary woman can't be heroic, obviously, but she seemed so wildly unaware of her power and its source. Christine's version of Joan's story depicts Joan as much more of an active agent in her own mythos.
bluestarfish's review
This book is a strangeness I do not know how to rate. I never quite found the thread in the telling to unwind this story for me.
I'm learning a lot afterward through the reading of other people's thoughts on this book. I could've guess Joan d'Arc, but I didn't know Christine de Pizan and Jean de Meun were real medieval time people. What a reimagining.
I'm learning a lot afterward through the reading of other people's thoughts on this book. I could've guess Joan d'Arc, but I didn't know Christine de Pizan and Jean de Meun were real medieval time people. What a reimagining.
cami19's review
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0