A review by alina_leonova
A Half-Built Garden by Ruthanna Emrys

hopeful slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

I was pretty bored in the beginning and couldn't connect to the main characters. I considered giving up on the novel several times, but was slightly interested in what would happen next. I became a bit more invested in the second half of the book, but the blandness of the main characters, as well as the lack of any kind of a flaw or arc for any of them made full immersion difficult.

I enjoyed the solarpunk aspects of the world-building, as well as corporate traditions and the alien world, but I was a bit disappointed by how utopian the vision of the future was. It seemed like what could actually be a challenge or a problem was just omitted. As someone curious about how we could build a better future, I think that answering those questions is important, and pretending like if we just get rid of something (e.g. corporations), we will live in a paradise doesn't help to make this future real.

You might enjoy the book if you like solarpunk settings and first contact stories that aren't rooted in destruction and don't mind a lot of nursing and diaper changes (the main character is a mother of an infant).

If you want a complete, more in-depth review, check it out on my website .