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30something_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
There were some really interesting and exciting things happening in this story. It took turns that I was not expecting and really enjoyed. And it was compulsively readable. Emily Tesh has a great pen.
But I also think the author maybe took on too much with only surface level resolutions for all of it. The -isms and -phobics were off the charts and I don't necessarily think all of them were handled appropriately. (An d by that, I mainly mean the way racism is discussed. It definitely feels like a white woman wrote it in that regard.)
Graphic: Ableism, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Transphobia, Violence, Xenophobia, Pregnancy, Outing, and War
Minor: Bullying, Cursing, Rape, Abortion, Death of parent, Colonisation, and Classism
juliana2's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Genocide, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Outing, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and War
kirilaw's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Suicide, and Xenophobia
deedireads's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.25
Honestly, I can’t believe Some Desperate Glory wasn’t on my radar until it was nominated for the Hugo, especially with such blurb power (VE Schwab, Tamsyn Muir, Alix Harrow, Shelley Parker-Chan, John Scalzi, and more). But wow am I glad it showed up!!
The book is set in a future where Earth has been destroyed and the last colony of humans lives and trains to exact revenge. The main character, Kyr, is an unlikeable but highly skilled trainee about to receive her official placement — until that placement goes wrong and everything she thought she knew gets turned on its head.
This is one hell of a story. It especially picks up halfway — I think I literally said “whaaaaat!” out loud in a room all by myself. I’m not sure I’ve ever read a book about what is essentially an awakening from brainwashing, but it does set up a lot of exploration of important themes like racism, homophobia, sexism, suicide, and eugenics. In fact I’d almost say it’s a little heavy handed on some of this stuff, but in a forgivable way.
The audiobook performance was also good, but because there’s a decent amount of worldbuilding, I’d recommend starting the book in print and switching to audio once you’ve got a handle on things (or listening as you read along).
I could definitely see this winning the Hugo!
Graphic: Homophobia, Suicide, Transphobia, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Death of parent and War
Minor: Rape
italapas's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, and War
This does refer to forced pregnancy and implied infanticide. It's not a large part of the book, but is definitely there.nerp's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Confinement, Genocide, Sexism, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, and War
Minor: Rape
ddclarke's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
... but then I couldn't stop reading, and by about halfway through it was clear there was something great happening.
I loved the turning of the tropes, the themes, and all they wonderful grey. I also love that this seems to be a standalone book; while I'd love more from the universe, I hope the characters specifically are let to rest.
Graphic: Biphobia, Genocide, Homophobia, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, Xenophobia, Murder, and War
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Rape, and Gaslighting
wreathedinviolets's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Genocide, Xenophobia, Sexual harassment, and War
Moderate: Cursing, Death, and Emotional abuse
sincetheflood's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Suicide, Xenophobia, and War
Moderate: Homophobia, Rape, and Sexual assault
avacadosocks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Suicide, Xenophobia, Sexual harassment, and War
Moderate: Death, Homophobia, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Transphobia, and Violence
Minor: Genocide, Abortion, Death of parent, and Pregnancy