A review by sapphic_in_the_stacks
The Black Tides of Heaven by Neon Yang

adventurous challenging fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Twin children of the Protector, Mokoya and Akeha, have always been treated more like pawns than people by their mother. The Protector governs half the world and rules with an iron fist. Mokoya has prophetic powers and is kept under tight watch by her mother, while Akeha has stronger control than most over elemental forces in the Slack. As they grow older, Akeha escapes the capital city, leaving Mokoya behind in the process. 

This book was a pleasant, if rushed, reading experience. Yang manages to cram an incredibly well developed story and unique world into a short novella. My one criticism is that, due to it's shorter length, some of the relationships development and emotional ties between the characters suffers. Though it's clear based on the timeline proposed that these characters have developed relationships over decades, we don't see enough of that relationship building and formation to create strong emotional attachments to the characters. This story could have easily doubled in length and still had plenty of material, but I did appreciate the writing and story as it was presented. Definitely looking forward to further installations. 
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