oliviagwynne 's review for:

The Unmapping by Denise S. Robbins

3.0

mysterious slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

---

Arc - came out June 1st 

I really wanted to adore this book but I think ultimately, it was just not for me. It had a super unique premise which I was so excited to dig into. But I feel like the plot eschews this premise for the interpersonal human drama more often than not, and frequently to the story’s detriment. 

Right away, I didn’t really like any of the characters. I didn’t like Marcus at all but that was mainly because of how Esme describes herself as feeling “lucky” to be with him. It was frustrating reading about her driving herself crazy worrying about him when you as the reader can tell that he’s trash. I think this is a big part of why I could not connect with Esme’s chapters. She focused on Marcus way too much which is understandable for the character. I just didn’t care. 

Arjun was weirdly endearing and creepy at the same time. But the more time the narrative spent with him, the more unbearable I found him. And I couldn’t get past that. 

The few other POV narratives had such random stuff happening with them that it made the story feel disjointed. 

I found I was frequently flipping back and forth with my enjoyment of the book. I found the premise and the environmental disaster/mystery really interesting but the character work I did not connect with. I felt the characters and the way the plot line jumped around left me feeling very scattered. 

Around the middle of the book in one of the side POVs, the plot had a strange, jump the shark moment that I didn’t know what to think of. And it lost me around that point and never fully got me back. 

There was a point around the 70% mark where something happens in the interpersonal relationships with a couple of the characters that literally made me say “ew, gross” out loud

It feels unfair to rate this book lowly because it is creative and well written. But the story and I just did not vibe.