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courtsport3000's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Really mixed bag for me. Fantastic worldbuilding that I could read about for hours and hours more. Incredibly cool magic system. Interesting, fully realized main characters, but secondary characters that felt very flat. Huge A+ for casual queerness and disability rep. Lots of subtle humor that was so fun. But a plot that felt messy and difficult to keep track of - sometimes to the point of feeling nonexistent. Love the people and the vibes, but wanted much more going on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Body horror, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Animal cruelty
sophiesmallhands's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Gun violence, Death, Police brutality, and Body horror
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Classism, Sexual content, Vomit, Sexism, Lesbophobia, Blood, and Misogyny
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Outing, War, Alcohol, Addiction, Forced institutionalization, Drug use, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Pregnancy, and Grief
bibliomania_express's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
The Dawnhounds by Sascha Stronach mixes fantasy, murder, political intrigue, and mythology to create a unique world.
This book sucked me in, confused me, intrigued me, and made me keep reading. Yat is a bisexual constable living in a world where any queerness is punished. She is demoted and drugging herself to dull the pain and protect herself from her own memories. Then she ends up stumbling upon a sinister plot, murdered, resurrected by a god, and given new powers to see and interact with life threads. But there's still that sinister, government corrupting, spore-wielding plot to stop, so she doesn't have much time to figure anything out.
At times I found myself confused by exactly what was happening. The narration became purposefully disjointed, with snippets of dialogue breaking in. This was something Yat was experiencing, but since it was so hard to know what was happening, it pulled me out of the story.
I did like that the narrative moved betwern Yat and Sen, with a bit from Ajet and Sibbi to give some of the broader scope. There are also some direct-to-reader style chapters from one of the gods, which were intriguing but also mystifying. This book explores systems of power, corruption, sexism, homophobia, religious zealotry, police brutality, poverty, and what it means to be a hero. It's not subtle about its themes, but it weaves them together well.
I do wish there had been a bit more of Yat and Sen working together, and a bit more of the worldbuilding, especially the religion/magic system, explained up front. A lot of the book rushes along at a breakneck pace, so that coupled with the narrative style made it hard to absorb all the worldbuilding.
The setting, however, was fantastic. I loved the whole botanical engineering aspect, and how it tied into the Weaving magic and the dangerous spores.
This book sucked me in, confused me, intrigued me, and made me keep reading. Yat is a bisexual constable living in a world where any queerness is punished. She is demoted and drugging herself to dull the pain and protect herself from her own memories. Then she ends up stumbling upon a sinister plot, murdered, resurrected by a god, and given new powers to see and interact with life threads. But there's still that sinister, government corrupting, spore-wielding plot to stop, so she doesn't have much time to figure anything out.
At times I found myself confused by exactly what was happening. The narration became purposefully disjointed, with snippets of dialogue breaking in. This was something Yat was experiencing, but since it was so hard to know what was happening, it pulled me out of the story.
I did like that the narrative moved betwern Yat and Sen, with a bit from Ajet and Sibbi to give some of the broader scope. There are also some direct-to-reader style chapters from one of the gods, which were intriguing but also mystifying. This book explores systems of power, corruption, sexism, homophobia, religious zealotry, police brutality, poverty, and what it means to be a hero. It's not subtle about its themes, but it weaves them together well.
I do wish there had been a bit more of Yat and Sen working together, and a bit more of the worldbuilding, especially the religion/magic system, explained up front. A lot of the book rushes along at a breakneck pace, so that coupled with the narrative style made it hard to absorb all the worldbuilding.
The setting, however, was fantastic. I loved the whole botanical engineering aspect, and how it tied into the Weaving magic and the dangerous spores.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Classism, Violence, Gaslighting, Drug use, Addiction, War, Xenophobia, Pandemic/Epidemic, Slavery, and Police brutality
Moderate: Child death, Bullying, Religious bigotry, Transphobia, Blood, Animal death, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, and Biphobia
Minor: Sexual harassment, Ableism, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Self harm
onegalonelife27's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
- 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
4.0
Now this is a different book than my usual taste, but I was intrigued by the premise of bio-based technology and someone coming back to life.
Yat is an former street kid turn officer, trying to help make her town a better place yet finds herself demoted for “life style choices” aka being bisexual when the head religion says no to that-bleh. However, encountering a dead body and two strange officers leads to her death and subsequent resurrection with new magical powers. Now Yat finds herself involved with pirates, ancient gods, and a conspiracy that may just lead to the destruction of her home.
The characters are all intriguing and combined with the interesting world building make for a more surreal mystery that keeps you going. I was satisfied with the end and intrigued by the epilouge given, making me eager to see how the rest of the series goes.
I do have to admit, there were some parts of the plot I’m not sure were necessary since they didn’t really move Yat’s story along. However, given that this is actually part a series, it might be setting up for things to come. I also had a bit of a hard time keeping track of the countries/factions mentioned in the series and one reveal felt a bit off since it contradicted something said earlier and there’s no information to explain the contradiction.
Also somehow I managed to read two books about corrupt police departments in the same week. Funny how that happens.
Yat is an former street kid turn officer, trying to help make her town a better place yet finds herself demoted for “life style choices” aka being bisexual when the head religion says no to that-bleh. However, encountering a dead body and two strange officers leads to her death and subsequent resurrection with new magical powers. Now Yat finds herself involved with pirates, ancient gods, and a conspiracy that may just lead to the destruction of her home.
The characters are all intriguing and combined with the interesting world building make for a more surreal mystery that keeps you going. I was satisfied with the end and intrigued by the epilouge given, making me eager to see how the rest of the series goes.
I do have to admit, there were some parts of the plot I’m not sure were necessary since they didn’t really move Yat’s story along. However, given that this is actually part a series, it might be setting up for things to come. I also had a bit of a hard time keeping track of the countries/factions mentioned in the series and one reveal felt a bit off since it contradicted something said earlier and there’s no information to explain the contradiction.
Also somehow I managed to read two books about corrupt police departments in the same week. Funny how that happens.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Body horror, War, and Biphobia
Moderate: Gun violence, Transphobia, Violence, and Death
Minor: Death of parent and Religious bigotry
hobbithopeful's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-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
A truly outstanding and stand out biopunk queer read, The Dawnhounds has some of the best worldbuilding I've ever seen, diverse characters, and a story that will make you cry one page and feel hopeful the next.
It's a toss-up between what I love more, the eclectic characters, or the world they live in. Wajet is my favorite character in this, I don't care that Yat didn't like him he's so damn charming. The whole premise of using plant life to live and build instead of steel or other materials is so fascinating. The mushroom houses are alive and feed off the sweat and dead skin cells of their inhabitants. My mind is just blown thinking about it.
The whole concept of immortality and losing yourself bit by bit is a trope I want to read more of. It is so well done in The Dawnhounds. The different Gods and myths meddling, there is so much symbolism and foreshadowing I want to reread it again to see what I missed.
Stronach's writing feels almost dreamlike and ethereal in certain moments. It's not so much you feel like you are transported into the world, but more so as different characters lose their minds you feel just as lost and trapped too. It is truly a book with so much heart and hope, no matter how tough it gets and how dire the situation seems, Yat never gives up.
There's also a cat in this book, so that's such a bonus.
This is a rare moment where I feel like the blurb didn't do the book justice at all. It is quite a dark and heavy book, I wish it mentioned that. (Also it's just freaking fantastic!) Yat is a drug addict, and has lost faith in literally everything, she is just basically on autopilot.
The inclusion of so many powerful queer characters is one of my favorite parts of this, called a "degeneracy" by so many, it is just so emotional. It's not often I see bisexuality depicted as well as Stronach does here.
I almost wish I had read the audiobook instead, only because I felt like I was butchering so many words in my head because I didn't know how to pronounce anything.
This is definitely not a shut-your-brain-off-and-read book. If anything with science fiction books like this you really have to pay attention to what's going on otherwise you'll get lost in descriptions, names, and people. I also put off reading this because Yat is a cop, and I was nervous it was going to be copaganda. I wish I had read it sooner.
Check your tws! There is a LOT of body horror, gore, blood, death, drugs, corruption, and homophobia!
I have so many theories for the next book! I need to discuss this for hours just to share all my theories, questions, and love for it.
I absolutely 10000% recommend this book, perfect for people who loves books you can sink your teeth into! I can't wait for the sequel to come out next year! MOSTLY BECAUSE I WANT TO MEET WAJET'SHUSBAND!
I actually like this cover better than some of the other editions. It is really cool to see what the houses look like, and it gives it such a great otherworldly scifi vibe.
It's a toss-up between what I love more, the eclectic characters, or the world they live in. Wajet is my favorite character in this, I don't care that Yat didn't like him he's so damn charming. The whole premise of using plant life to live and build instead of steel or other materials is so fascinating. The mushroom houses are alive and feed off the sweat and dead skin cells of their inhabitants. My mind is just blown thinking about it.
The whole concept of immortality and losing yourself bit by bit is a trope I want to read more of. It is so well done in The Dawnhounds. The different Gods and myths meddling, there is so much symbolism and foreshadowing I want to reread it again to see what I missed.
Stronach's writing feels almost dreamlike and ethereal in certain moments. It's not so much you feel like you are transported into the world, but more so as different characters lose their minds you feel just as lost and trapped too. It is truly a book with so much heart and hope, no matter how tough it gets and how dire the situation seems, Yat never gives up.
There's also a cat in this book, so that's such a bonus.
This is a rare moment where I feel like the blurb didn't do the book justice at all. It is quite a dark and heavy book, I wish it mentioned that. (Also it's just freaking fantastic!) Yat is a drug addict, and has lost faith in literally everything, she is just basically on autopilot.
The inclusion of so many powerful queer characters is one of my favorite parts of this, called a "degeneracy" by so many, it is just so emotional. It's not often I see bisexuality depicted as well as Stronach does here.
I almost wish I had read the audiobook instead, only because I felt like I was butchering so many words in my head because I didn't know how to pronounce anything.
This is definitely not a shut-your-brain-off-and-read book. If anything with science fiction books like this you really have to pay attention to what's going on otherwise you'll get lost in descriptions, names, and people. I also put off reading this because Yat is a cop, and I was nervous it was going to be copaganda. I wish I had read it sooner.
Check your tws! There is a LOT of body horror, gore, blood, death, drugs, corruption, and homophobia!
I have so many theories for the next book! I need to discuss this for hours just to share all my theories, questions, and love for it.
I absolutely 10000% recommend this book, perfect for people who loves books you can sink your teeth into! I can't wait for the sequel to come out next year! MOSTLY BECAUSE I WANT TO MEET WAJET'S
I actually like this cover better than some of the other editions. It is really cool to see what the houses look like, and it gives it such a great otherworldly scifi vibe.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Vomit, Stalking, Gaslighting, Death, Classism, Animal cruelty, Blood, Bullying, Drug use, Body horror, Violence, Murder, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Drug abuse, Cursing, Grief, Alcohol, Biphobia, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Sexism, Medical content, and Gore
Minor: Death of parent
fox_at_the_circus's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-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? No
4.25
I loved the world and setting in this book! the idea of alchemy and botanics mixing and just having plants instead of mechanical machines was so new and interesting and with the "magic" system in this book makes for so many cool opportunities. and especially in later chapters this also leads to some really cool and creepy body horror.
in general this book has a lot of really cool and new/rare story elements; the mythology and the way the gods and minor deities interact with the world is something i've never read before, and there were some nice twists on genre tropes like "coming back from death" and the heroine coming into their power and changing/growing though that.
i really liked the heroine. we get thrown into the story and this world without knowing anything and there's this great feeling of "what the eff is going on here?!", but since the heroine, too, feels that way and is learning and discovering new things, as a reader i never felt left behind and it was just a mystery to solve together.
i also really enjoyed the short inbetween chapters, where someone obviously more knowledgeable is talking. it adds to the sense of mystery and a bigger story line / backstory to it all. and some of them are just so poetic and rip your heart out.
also the representation and social commentary in this book is amazing. there is a super queer pirate found family and also a cat, that helps safe the day/heroine. and really what more could you want from a book?
in general this book has a lot of really cool and new/rare story elements; the mythology and the way the gods and minor deities interact with the world is something i've never read before, and there were some nice twists on genre tropes like "coming back from death" and the heroine coming into their power and changing/growing though that.
i really liked the heroine. we get thrown into the story and this world without knowing anything and there's this great feeling of "what the eff is going on here?!", but since the heroine, too, feels that way and is learning and discovering new things, as a reader i never felt left behind and it was just a mystery to solve together.
i also really enjoyed the short inbetween chapters, where someone obviously more knowledgeable is talking. it adds to the sense of mystery and a bigger story line / backstory to it all. and some of them are just so poetic and rip your heart out.
also the representation and social commentary in this book is amazing. there is a super queer pirate found family and also a cat, that helps safe the day/heroine. and really what more could you want from a book?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Religious bigotry, Violence, Death, Police brutality, Body horror, Biphobia, Death of parent, Drug use, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Misogyny
Moderate: Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Grief, Suicide attempt, War, and Transphobia
sofipitch's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-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
3.5
I wanted to like this more, the beginning was really good, I saw some reviews complaining it was slow to start but I actually thought the beginning was good, it's when it starts to pick up it starts to go too fast to follow. I thought maybe because I had a lot going on while reading it was dulling my comprehension, or maybe I'm just dumb, but other reviews also saying it was hard to follow made me feel better that it wasn't just me. The politics/themes are excellent, only good cops out there quit the force. Lots of cool concepts, world building, had interesting stuff to say, it's the plot that it gets wrapped up in that's "huuuhhh?" And it goes from gritty and smart to unserious and silly
Edit: listening to a podcast covering this book and the hosts point out that the cover is very deceiving, if you attracted bc you think the mushroom houses look cute it might not be for you
Edit: listening to a podcast covering this book and the hosts point out that the cover is very deceiving, if you attracted bc you think the mushroom houses look cute it might not be for you
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: Transphobia and Homophobia
Minor: Death of parent
augustar14's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.25
I loved the characters and their connections. I loved this world built with life itself, yet lacking fundamental connections to life and other. That was intriguing and well developed. The bin chicken insult- delightful. The characters and their relationships are well established. The world building is well done.
Spoiler: The only thing I didn't get was why Sibby was so mad at the main character for going back, as if the antagonist wouldn't have started releasing the spores and killing the city if she hadn't (cause he already was).
Spoiler: The only thing I didn't get was
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, War, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Death, Murder, Violence, Drug use, Gore, Police brutality, Sexual content, Stalking, Homophobia, and Body horror
Moderate: Addiction, Biphobia, Sexism, Suicide, Blood, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Mental illness, Outing, and Suicidal thoughts
kumquats87's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Gore, Outing, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Body horror, Child death, Police brutality, Violence, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Sexism, Self harm, Transphobia, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, Addiction, War, Medical content, Gaslighting, Cancer, Misogyny, Gun violence, and Drug abuse
lolajh's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-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
4.0
“They'd always been looking for defects in her, as if women were defective men, and women who loved women were defective women who loved men. As if anybody who loved both wasn't a part of the equation and could be sorted into one or the other without their consultation. She would never be good enough, because she wasn't the person they wanted her to be. The Kopek had never asked her to be anything except herself.”
This was great, confusing, but great. Absolutely everything happens in the last hundred pages and made a lot of the start and middle feel very slow and filler-like, but the book came together wonderfully when it did, when plot points and characters and places all connected. Wasn’t a huge fan of the stuff with Kiada and Yat at the end just because it was so rushed, kinda predictable, and irritating to read through their interactions where Yat doesn’t recognise her. A challenging bisexual main character, two wlw couples, a cute cat!! Cool plants!!! Cool setting!!! I love the world, it truly is a mix of Black Sun and Gideon the Ninth; I really like the integration of the gods in this, of the powers and magic, of death not necessarily meaning the end. Truly great, loved this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Misogyny, Homophobia, Death, Gore, Murder, and Sexism
Moderate: Animal death, Death of parent, Animal cruelty, and Sexual assault