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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
The mosaic approach to narration just didn't work for me in this one. I admire how pissed off it is, and for the right person I can see this book really hitting the spot, but I am not that person.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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:
Complicated
I almost DNF this book, the story drags for the first half switching between so many characters it can easily become difficult to follow. It all comes together at the end but it takes so long to get there. 3 stars for the great dystopian future world that was built but the multiple points of view wasn't for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content
challenging
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"Blackfish City" by Sam J. Miller is a stunning work of speculative fiction that left me in awe. From the very beginning, Miller's world-building captivated me. He masterfully unveils the intricate connections between characters, keeping readers on their toes with surprising twists and revelations. This approach makes the story not just a narrative but an experience of discovery.
Set in a dystopian future plagued by extreme poverty, AI-machine states, an epidemic of sexually transmitted disease, elitism, power struggles, and profound loss, "Blackfish City" delves into some of the most pressing issues of our time through a futuristic lens. Despite the heavy themes, Miller's storytelling is immersive and thought-provoking, never losing its grip on the reader.
One of the aspects I appreciated the most was how the book felt like an origin story for a particular character. Without giving away any spoilers, the journey of this character is both compelling and complex, hinting at deeper stories yet to unfold. If there were to be a sequel, I'd be eagerly awaiting it.
"Blackfish City" is a book that lingers with you long after you've turned the last page. It challenges you to think about our society and the direction we are heading in, all while delivering a gripping and emotional tale. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thought-provoking read that combines masterful storytelling with deep, resonant themes.
Set in a dystopian future plagued by extreme poverty, AI-machine states, an epidemic of sexually transmitted disease, elitism, power struggles, and profound loss, "Blackfish City" delves into some of the most pressing issues of our time through a futuristic lens. Despite the heavy themes, Miller's storytelling is immersive and thought-provoking, never losing its grip on the reader.
One of the aspects I appreciated the most was how the book felt like an origin story for a particular character. Without giving away any spoilers, the journey of this character is both compelling and complex, hinting at deeper stories yet to unfold. If there were to be a sequel, I'd be eagerly awaiting it.
"Blackfish City" is a book that lingers with you long after you've turned the last page. It challenges you to think about our society and the direction we are heading in, all while delivering a gripping and emotional tale. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thought-provoking read that combines masterful storytelling with deep, resonant themes.
This was a wonderful experience. There were so many moving parts that just coalesced so beautifully. I felt like I was in a spiral that started meandering, lots of turns that I couldn't see, and then it got tighter and tighter.
I loved nearly everything about it. Sort of like Maupin's Tales of the City meets St. John Mandel's Station Eleven, it's got heart, humor, animal companions, people from all walks of life dealing with their own struggles and the struggles that we all face as a society. A beautiful tribute to surviving the AIDS crisis, to community, the fragility of our planet and the resilience of the human spirit.
The only thing that keeps this from being 5 stars for me is the very, very end. We have this lush, achingly beautiful story that feels sort of like the author did not know how to get out of the whirlpool he had created, so he just pulled the plug. It jarred me to end like that, and after so much honesty I found it forced.
A truly memorable, lovely book. I am hoping to add this one to my personal collection.
CONTENT WARNING (list of topics)
I loved nearly everything about it. Sort of like Maupin's Tales of the City meets St. John Mandel's Station Eleven, it's got heart, humor, animal companions, people from all walks of life dealing with their own struggles and the struggles that we all face as a society. A beautiful tribute to surviving the AIDS crisis, to community, the fragility of our planet and the resilience of the human spirit.
The only thing that keeps this from being 5 stars for me is the very, very end. We have this lush, achingly beautiful story that feels sort of like the author did not know how to get out of the whirlpool he had created, so he just pulled the plug. It jarred me to end like that, and after so much honesty I found it forced.
A truly memorable, lovely book. I am hoping to add this one to my personal collection.
CONTENT WARNING (list of topics)
Spoiler
homophobia, chronic illness, mental illness stigma, threats of violence, harm to animals, loss of loved ones, AIDS imagery, genocide.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
If there were a class on proper world-building, this book should be exhibit A.
adventurous
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don't want to slam this book too hard considering I like a lot of aspects of it (worldbuilding etc), but it definitely had a weird tonal shift right at the end that I didn't enjoy.