A review by bisexualwentworth
A Desolation Called Peace by Arkady Martine

  • 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

A very satisfying conclusion to the duology. I preferred book one as a story, but there was a lot to love here. I liked the multiple points of view, especially the one that starts vague and confusing and becomes clear as the book progresses. Spent the whole book rooting for the gays, of course. The plot just kind of felt like something I'd read before, maybe because it was a probably deliberate (and I think fairly effective) riff on the ending of Ender's Game, maybe because it just felt too paint-by-numbers. The characters were what breathed life into the unoriginal plot, and I loved what Martine did with them. I'm definitely excited to see what she writes next.
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