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A review by jhbandcats
Meru by S.B. Divya
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
This is a very complex world peopled by a wide range of creatures, from gene-engineered humans to space-traveling independent constructs. The author has provided so many details of touch, taste, and smell, in addition to vision and hearing, that I pictured the characters and their environments as I was reading.
The theme of humans being controlled by their benign dictators, the alloys, is present throughout, and is beautifully summed up in a speech at the end. Until we get there, though, there are many instances of humans being treated like errant children who still aren’t mature enough for autonomy despite several centuries of subjugation. The not-always-subtle discrimination is present throughout.
Because the alloys are prejudiced against humans and vice-versa, there’s a lot of distrust. The characters, both alloy and human, grow and change in satisfying ways, coming to understand one another till mutual suspicion is banished.
Their flaws - ambition and hubris, bigotry, crippling insecurity - are what ultimately make these people realistic. We have all felt proud and ambitious, and anxious and unsure of ourselves. It’s easy to not only understand these characters but to love them.
The theme of humans being controlled by their benign dictators, the alloys, is present throughout, and is beautifully summed up in a speech at the end. Until we get there, though, there are many instances of humans being treated like errant children who still aren’t mature enough for autonomy despite several centuries of subjugation. The not-always-subtle discrimination is present throughout.
Because the alloys are prejudiced against humans and vice-versa, there’s a lot of distrust. The characters, both alloy and human, grow and change in satisfying ways, coming to understand one another till mutual suspicion is banished.
Their flaws - ambition and hubris, bigotry, crippling insecurity - are what ultimately make these people realistic. We have all felt proud and ambitious, and anxious and unsure of ourselves. It’s easy to not only understand these characters but to love them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Abandonment