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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
Really enjoyed this novel.
Not the biggest reader here (but trying to change that) and wanted to dip my toes into another genre for a chance. Wasn't too heavy on the science fiction (which is perfect for me).
Had fantastic characters, I felt like they were all believable and with the help of some other video game characters they all had small related traits of, I could easily imagine them. Enjoyed the world building too, as usually I'm not the best at imagining these worlds in my mind, but here I got a real sense of the environment. This huge, metallic city with wafting scents of ramen, structured above the cold, silent ocean.
Not the biggest reader here (but trying to change that) and wanted to dip my toes into another genre for a chance. Wasn't too heavy on the science fiction (which is perfect for me).
Had fantastic characters, I felt like they were all believable and with the help of some other video game characters they all had small related traits of, I could easily imagine them. Enjoyed the world building too, as usually I'm not the best at imagining these worlds in my mind, but here I got a real sense of the environment. This huge, metallic city with wafting scents of ramen, structured above the cold, silent ocean.
This was a really cool book. Advertised as science fiction, but much of what you read doesn’t feel out of the realm of possibility, giving this read an eerie quality. Would have liked some more character development within the main characters, but overall an excellent read.
2.5 stars rounded up. I just never felt engrossed in this story. I listened to the audio version, but this was not the reason I never connected. The world in this "cli-fi" novel has so much potential, but seems overly messy. I also never connected with any of the characters, and I felt that the ending was an anti-climatic rushed mess. So much potential, but ultimately a bit of a letdown for me.
challenging
informative
reflective
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:
Complicated
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, though long passages describing the setting may impede some readers. Science fiction worlds require a fair bit of explanation, and a degree of information dumping is unavoidable. Many authors attempt to weave the setting into conversation and internal dialog. In Blackfish City, a mysterious publication entitled “City without a Map” relays much background information en block. As a reader, I’m okay with setting infodumps (and flash backs and told tales and long asides) just as long as the information is interesting and well presented. “City without a Map” is fascinating, can be poetic, and the publication is a mystery, pulling the reader deeper into the story. Additional backstory is dropped between the action as rumination, which slows down the story, but a fair bit of wisdom is mixed in with the “tell.”
In addition, multiple characters tell the story, and their lives glance off each other until the characters convene, and the threads braid together into one story. Some readers find multiple points of view confusing, but I found each character’s voice sufficiently distinct to remember.
Even a reader fully immersed in the story may encounter a few believability issues. A few story threads occur, resolve or drift away with no explanation. A brain-injured character displays overly complex thought. Serious injuries don’t cause as much damage as expected. And a bike messenger becomes a computer genius rather rapidly.
But I’m happy to over look a few flaws for my take on the the bottom line message: we won’t evolve until we realize that we are the same, that we’re all traveling in the same direction, and that any individual advantage is likely an empty win.
In addition, multiple characters tell the story, and their lives glance off each other until the characters convene, and the threads braid together into one story. Some readers find multiple points of view confusing, but I found each character’s voice sufficiently distinct to remember.
Even a reader fully immersed in the story may encounter a few believability issues. A few story threads occur, resolve or drift away with no explanation. A brain-injured character displays overly complex thought. Serious injuries don’t cause as much damage as expected. And a bike messenger becomes a computer genius rather rapidly.
But I’m happy to over look a few flaws for my take on the the bottom line message: we won’t evolve until we realize that we are the same, that we’re all traveling in the same direction, and that any individual advantage is likely an empty win.
What a fun romp.
Note to self: Try to write reviews - no matter how brief - right after reading a book, not two books after.
Well, notwithstanding my poor memory, I still remember that I really liked this book due to the following:
- Another weird city, since I could not get enough of those. AI writing the political system. The underworld. The city mechanics. I live for weird SFF cities.
- There is an ORCAMANCER in the book. A woman who controls a frickin' orca. HOW COOL IS THAT. Imagine Avatar Korra meets the Whale Rider.
- First time I read a somewhat scientific explanation of animal bonding with human - in fantasy books, it's all magic.
- Neat plotting with all the various POVs. Some say the book is scattered in the first half, but all agree that the second half weaves them all together.
- Interesting take on the issue of property ownership. The author is an activist in real life, who deals with this issue in his hometown.
- Noodles. Lots of noodles.
Sam J. Miller, you're in my watch list now.
Note to self: Try to write reviews - no matter how brief - right after reading a book, not two books after.
Well, notwithstanding my poor memory, I still remember that I really liked this book due to the following:
- Another weird city, since I could not get enough of those. AI writing the political system. The underworld. The city mechanics. I live for weird SFF cities.
- There is an ORCAMANCER in the book. A woman who controls a frickin' orca. HOW COOL IS THAT. Imagine Avatar Korra meets the Whale Rider.
- First time I read a somewhat scientific explanation of animal bonding with human - in fantasy books, it's all magic.
- Neat plotting with all the various POVs. Some say the book is scattered in the first half, but all agree that the second half weaves them all together.
- Interesting take on the issue of property ownership. The author is an activist in real life, who deals with this issue in his hometown.
- Noodles. Lots of noodles.
Sam J. Miller, you're in my watch list now.
adventurous
challenging
sad
medium-paced
The narrative was hard to follow and the ending hurt my feelings 🆘
Ooh, i liked this. Ostensibly post-apocalyptic, really about late stage capitalism. World building was well integrated. Nice work tying seemingly disparate threads together. Is there a sequel? Would read a sequel focused on that orca!
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Excellent world building and loved the environmental and political commentary. Struck a very good balance between explaining how and leaving it a mystery / to be picked up from context. Pacing was a little bit off on places, but still a great read!
EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED!!! DNF-ed at 30%
I had great hopes for this one.
I'll start with the pros: excellent worldbuilding, poetic writing and great concepts (Breaks, nano-bonding, harvesting energy from geothermal vents). That's just about it.
The author spits his politics in your face. While there is nothing wrong with couching a story in politics, Miller's style is crude.
The characters are some of the worst in all the literature I've read. No personality, very 'robotic' (not literally) and the dialogues are shitty.
There's a passage where pedophilia is, more or less, endorsed! I'm Indian and a so-called 'person of color'. The author takes this bullshit to a higher level where white people are the enemies and Western culture is out to get you. If there was a proper story, it could've tolerable. Unfortunately, the story has given way for a vicious agenda. I could've just read a non-fiction book on the subject.
The book had great potential. I'm still in love with the world of Blackfish City and the concepts were great. The author could've used it to build a proper story!
I had great hopes for this one.
I'll start with the pros: excellent worldbuilding, poetic writing and great concepts (Breaks, nano-bonding, harvesting energy from geothermal vents). That's just about it.
The author spits his politics in your face. While there is nothing wrong with couching a story in politics, Miller's style is crude.
The characters are some of the worst in all the literature I've read. No personality, very 'robotic' (not literally) and the dialogues are shitty.
There's a passage where pedophilia is, more or less, endorsed! I'm Indian and a so-called 'person of color'. The author takes this bullshit to a higher level where white people are the enemies and Western culture is out to get you. If there was a proper story, it could've tolerable. Unfortunately, the story has given way for a vicious agenda. I could've just read a non-fiction book on the subject.
The book had great potential. I'm still in love with the world of Blackfish City and the concepts were great. The author could've used it to build a proper story!