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jenniferbbookdragon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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
4.5
A solid follow up to The Sparrow, Russell allows the reader to explore the consequences of the first voyage to Rakhat and the impact humans have had on culture, politics, economics, and religion. Sandoz can't understand why he must return, discovers that the forces around him are making choices for him, and continues to seek meaning in his struggles. Russell also does an outstanding job with two neurodivergent characters are presented as unique individuals rather than stereotypes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, War, and Confinement
Moderate: Bullying and Vomit
msagerber's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, War, Racism, Slavery, Colonisation, Genocide, Violence, Xenophobia, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Kidnapping
cocacolor's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
My review of THE SPARROW boils down to "this is an exquisitely crafted, thought-provoking book, but I can't decide whether the author is saying something very compassionate or very unethical about a slew of political issues." In CHILDREN OF GOD and its author interview, her position is much clearer. It does have its problems--there are character choices can well be argued as being antisemitic, ableist, or anti-Indigenous as well as they can be argued that they're just the natural result of portraying Jewish, autistic, and Indigenous characters as real, flawed people. This is a novel that is far more grounded in unfolding action than THE SPARROW, and that, along with the sense that I felt there were a few moments where characters preached instead of spoke authentically (honestly, it's a book about Jesuit clergy; it's a testament to Russell's skill that these moments didn't happen more often), meant that I didn't find this book as compelling as the first in this duology. That still puts it head and shoulders above the vast majority of books I've ever read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Antisemitism, Ableism, Grief, Genocide, War, Colonisation, Slavery, Kidnapping, and Racism
Moderate: Child death, Drug abuse, Medical content, and Cannibalism
Arguable antisemitism, anti-Indigenous racism, and ableism (against autistic people) are inherent in the narrative voice, not just portrayed.
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