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immovabletype's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
i really respected what this book was trying to do. it did occasionally come close, but ultimately its reach was beyond its grasp. i think the downfall for me was the tone, which seemed to want to be darker than it was allowed to be. one of the biggest strengths of middle grade is its use of metaphor and sparsity of language to address heavy topics for a young audience. but there wasn't much in the way of metaphor here. it was all clearly laid out for the reader, nothing to really read between the lines — a problem not just because it makes for a less immersive story, but because in this case it tended to create more questions than answers. and yet, so very, very predictable. there were no revelations save one that i didn't see coming. i may have a leg up as a more experienced reader than its intended audience, but i also believe a truly good novel for children can be just as wonderous for grown ups. i found myself wishing it weren't middle grade so the author could delve a little deeper into the effects of its themes on the characters. but that's not really the right wish, because it can still be done. ultimately there was some lovely stuff that hinted at what this book could have been, but the rest wasn't it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Confinement, and Murder
Minor: Ableism
gabydoesgrowth's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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
This was my first middle-grade story as an adult and at first I felt a little silly reading it, but I really enjoyed it. The cover drew me in and I had to get it. It’s short and moves pretty fast so it kept me interested.
Some of the sci-fi aspects are familiar, but it still felt fresh and original.
The writing was really well done and I loved learning about Petra and her family and how her heritage was such a central part of herself.
I wish the story continued after its end.
Some of the sci-fi aspects are familiar, but it still felt fresh and original.
The writing was really well done and I loved learning about Petra and her family and how her heritage was such a central part of herself.
I wish the story continued after its end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Medical content, Murder, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Genocide, Child abuse, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Ableism, Classism, and Colonisation
greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Colonisation, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Violence
claudiamacpherson's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Death, Murder, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Gaslighting, Genocide, Death of parent, War, Confinement, and Colonisation
sab_reads14's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Abandonment
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Violence
albernikolauras's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
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
4.0
This was such an excellent middle grade science fiction novel following Petra as she and a few others leave Earth to continue the human race. Within it, she must fight for maintaining the stories of the Earth's past.
This book was surprisingly darker and deeper than I was expecting, but such a loving and cathartic read. It truly tackled the rewriting of history and the privilege of surviving in such a careful and kind way. Petra was an excellent character to follow through this series. I loved her strength, her kindness, and her resilience throughout the story.
Highly recommend for any reader looking for a book to speed through.
This book was surprisingly darker and deeper than I was expecting, but such a loving and cathartic read. It truly tackled the rewriting of history and the privilege of surviving in such a careful and kind way. Petra was an excellent character to follow through this series. I loved her strength, her kindness, and her resilience throughout the story.
Highly recommend for any reader looking for a book to speed through.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Death of parent, Death, and Confinement
toriliz's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, and Confinement
Moderate: Ableism, Slavery, Genocide, and Colonisation
isleoflinds's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Confinement, Child death, and Death of parent
ekmoore11's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Genocide, Murder, Confinement, and Death of parent
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.5
This book is such an interesting blend of science fiction and story-telling, which actually isn't what I would really guess from the cover. I love it when authors go across different genres, and this is a great example of that. I think it definitely trends a little older middle grade, and the writing is beautiful throughout. The writing itself is emotionally powerful and really focuses on the power of stories. Having also just read [book:Fahrenheit 451|13079982], that was an interesting juxtaposition.
Generally, while this is categorized as middle grade, I think the writing, the story, and the characters trend a little older to me. At least, that's how they felt reading through it. There are some gorgeous lines throughout this book, and Petra's emotions come through so well on the page. And in the audiobook. Because of the storytelling aspect of the story, I actually highly recommend the audiobook!
Generally, while this is categorized as middle grade, I think the writing, the story, and the characters trend a little older to me. At least, that's how they felt reading through it. There are some gorgeous lines throughout this book, and Petra's emotions come through so well on the page. And in the audiobook. Because of the storytelling aspect of the story, I actually highly recommend the audiobook!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Confinement, and Grief
Moderate: Medical content, Death, and Ableism
Minor: Alcohol and Violence