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A review by rigbees
A Desolation Called Peace by Arkady Martine
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
How wide is the definition of "we" - this repeated line throughout the novel speaks to its main themes of conquests, boundaries and the definition of "people". In sci-fi, I think the question of different species and communication brings this question of 'people' v 'people-people' to a head. This is particularly true of book that's about empire and how it constructs the million ways we slice "person" into categories that elevate some above others.
This entire series is something that I both love to read and feeling such a longing ache. In part, it's because this work is everything that I wish I could be as a writer. I wish I could write poetic prose (without ever getting maudlin or over-written!) about the ways in which we're forced into roles by forces moving around us. There's so much to love on each page.
This entire series is something that I both love to read and feeling such a longing ache. In part, it's because this work is everything that I wish I could be as a writer. I wish I could write poetic prose (without ever getting maudlin or over-written!) about the ways in which we're forced into roles by forces moving around us. There's so much to love on each page.