A review by quitegood
Axiom's End by Lindsay Ellis

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book isn't flashy or high concept, it focuses on one execrable truth about any first contact scenario; that we'll likely not understand each other completely, and this will lead to divide, mistrust and violence. Being set in 2007 is masterful because this is exactly why people were so ready to invade Iraq. They were practically alien to Americans, and this mirrors the themes of the novel. You definitely see echoes of Octavia Butler in Ellis' writing, throwing the fantastical into the mundane, but not letting that diminish the exploration of Sci-Fi concepts. The novel isn't perfect, some characters feel needlessly antagonistic and the authors politics shine through, but regardless, tremendously enjoyed this novel! 
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