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lottpoet's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
aibird's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The story is really sad to be honest. It is the tale of linguists -- Earth sends out linguists to meet with aliens and learn their language. They are taught to not intervene with the alien's development. However, on the world of "Not-Here" (the name the alien's call it), a deadly attack ravages the human colony. The linguist, Danyo, saves the colony's two daughters, ends up climbing the mountains in search of safe passage, and discovers the aliens hidden in caves, who are trying hard to create their own written form of their language. In order to gain safe passage to the last human base, he either must aid the aliens in their work or face death. This is the first part of the book.
The second part of the book chronicles the two sisters and what happens to them. It also uncovers WHY the aliens were so desperate to create the written form of their language, why they called the planet "Not-Here," and why half of their species was slowly losing their minds with each generation. The tale is beautifully woven and very intense.
I loved all the characters, and loved the way language was woven into the tale, how linguistics and understanding one another was so crucial to the plot and character development. Although the tale primarily focuses on the aliens of "Not-Here," there are other fascinating alien species that the older daughter, Lita, meets in her travels. I loved the shroud of mystery of these aliens, and although you come to understand a major part of their motivations at the end, there is still that hint of mystery that made me wish there was more written in this universe.
The second part of the book chronicles the two sisters and what happens to them. It also uncovers WHY the aliens were so desperate to create the written form of their language, why they called the planet "Not-Here," and why half of their species was slowly losing their minds with each generation. The tale is beautifully woven and very intense.
I loved all the characters, and loved the way language was woven into the tale, how linguistics and understanding one another was so crucial to the plot and character development. Although the tale primarily focuses on the aliens of "Not-Here," there are other fascinating alien species that the older daughter, Lita, meets in her travels. I loved the shroud of mystery of these aliens, and although you come to understand a major part of their motivations at the end, there is still that hint of mystery that made me wish there was more written in this universe.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Violence
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Abandonment
athenalindia's review
2.0
I had a very up and down relationship with this little novella. At the beginning, I was irritated with it, then I mellowed and decided it wasn't that bad, and by the end of the book, had gotten thoroughly aggravated again. In the end, it feels like something with a lot of potential, but with a trick ending that undermines most of what has gone before, and some troublesome colonialism to boot.
Note: The rest of this review has been withheld due to the changes in Goodreads policy and enforcement. You can read why I came to this decision here.
In the meantime, you can read the entire review at Smorgasbook
Note: The rest of this review has been withheld due to the changes in Goodreads policy and enforcement. You can read why I came to this decision here.
In the meantime, you can read the entire review at Smorgasbook
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