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A review by laurareads87
Kinning by Nisi Shawl
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed Everfair, so was happy to pick up Kinning.
Kinning has a very large, diverse cast whose POVs feel distinctive (which is an accomplishment particularly given the plotline). There are even some brief non-human character POV sections which are really well done. The world-building in these novels is fantastic - a steampunk alternative history - and the engagement with big themes (autonomy, empathy, ideology, anticolonial politics, collective consciousness) is well realized. This book poses some serious questions about independence and interdependence and boundaries and bodily autonomy in interesting ways.
I can definitely see how this series wouldn't be for everyone - it's multi-layered and complex, and at times the massive cast and multiple plotlines and shifting allegiances and relationships can get a bit confusing, particularly toward the end of the book (around 70% or so). All in all though, I definitely enjoyed it and if there are more books set in this world, I'll pick them up for sure.
Content warnings: racism, racial slurs, sexism, colonialism, medical content, mentions of war, mentions of incest
Kinning has a very large, diverse cast whose POVs feel distinctive (which is an accomplishment particularly given the plotline). There are even some brief non-human character POV sections which are really well done. The world-building in these novels is fantastic - a steampunk alternative history - and the engagement with big themes (autonomy, empathy, ideology, anticolonial politics, collective consciousness) is well realized. This book poses some serious questions about independence and interdependence and boundaries and bodily autonomy in interesting ways.
I can definitely see how this series wouldn't be for everyone - it's multi-layered and complex, and at times the massive cast and multiple plotlines and shifting allegiances and relationships can get a bit confusing, particularly toward the end of the book (around 70% or so). All in all though, I definitely enjoyed it and if there are more books set in this world, I'll pick them up for sure.
Content warnings: racism, racial slurs, sexism, colonialism, medical content, mentions of war, mentions of incest
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Medical content, Sexism, and Racial slurs
Minor: Blood, War, and Incest