Reviews - Blackfish City | The StoryGraph

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981 reviews for:

2.5 stars for this one. It was really hard to get into at the beginning, mostly because I was a bit lost. I didn't quite understand everything going on at the beginning, because the world building wasn't very clear or easy to understand at first. After a while, I had a firm grasp on the world and how it worked, and after that, it was easy to get pulled in by the story. I would say after about halfway, I had a hard time putting it down. In the end, I ended up with a vivid picture of this world and found it quite interesting.

The characters are diverse and intriguing. This is definitely a character-driven novel. It's not action-packed, and though there is intrigue, it's not a straight-up mystery either. It's the characters and their personal struggles and relationships that drive the plot forward rather than a mystery or outside conflict (though there are many). The writing style is very poetic, and in that way it's quite unique and different from what I usually read.

While I was reading this, it actually reminded me a lot of another floating city book I read: China Mieville's The Scar. Other than the setting, The Scar also has a similar writing style, though the world building in that book was a bit better.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was slow, but character-driven novels usually are. I am left with a positive feeling about this book after reading it, but I am just not blown away by it.

c_morning's review against another edition

2.0

dark medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

schmidnj's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous challenging slow-paced

keighter's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 24%

Did not realize this was exploring an HIV - esque disease, and I needed a Content warning.

Content Warnings

bookfrogglin's review against another edition

4.0

This book had its flaws, thin in places I'd have liked to know more and some of the motivations of the characters felt contrived making them feel less than they could have been, but I enjoyed reading it. As a rule if a book is good enough I lose myself and nearly miss my train stop its carried me elsewhere and done what I wanted it to. The first time I have read this author its enough for a second visit.

kajalhalwa's review against another edition

4.0

I really dug the worldbuilding, and the funny and profound ideas from the characters and narration. Included were wonderful themes and meditations on environmentalism, animal rights, vulnerability, class struggle, and solidarity.

I felt the main action unfolded a bit too quickly, and some aspects could have used.a bit more fleshing out. Overall the worldbuilding and characters were quite compelling and I know I'm going to think about both of these for a long time as the author crafted these to be so very familiar.