A review by tqlikesbooks
An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon

challenging dark emotional inspiring sad tense medium-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

"As much as it frustrated her, she understood the logic of Giselle's psychosis. Everything dies, so exert control by burning it away yourself. Everything will be born again anyway. There's no such thing as creation, merely a shuffling of parts. All birth is rebirth in disguise.”


Though initially I was going to give this book a solid 4 stars, the more I thought about it, the more I decided that this book demonstrates exactly what excites me about Science Fiction and the future of the genre.

First and foremost, An Unkindness of Ghosts incorporates the effects of trauma on a community. We're introduced to the spaceship Matilda, where the remains of humanity perpetuate a system of racial and class oppression similar to the slavery of the antebellum south (as a result there is a lot of heavy themes and content- content warnings at the bottom of the review). We also see a range of identities, as the author expertly explores the intersection of race, gender, and sexuality on the population of the 'lowerdeckers'.

Aster's characterisation was done beautifully, as someone who is clearly neurodivergent and suffering the effects of continual trauma, her voice felt unflinchingly real and experiencing events from her point of gave the story extra layers of complexity and realism. In addition, I also loved the glimpses from other character's perspectives throughout the story.

My only issue with the novel, and it is absolutely a very minor bit of nit-picking, was that the story is definitely character driven rather than driven by its plot, though there was enough happening in Aster's world to keep me gripped. I can't help but wish for a happier and more satisfying ending for Aster, although it was perfectly in-keeping with the devastating tone and themes of the story.

Overall, a beautifully captivating and compelling story. I will definitely look forward to more from Rivers Solomon.


“I am a boy and a girl and a witch all wrapped into one very strange, flimsy, indecisive body. Do you think my body couldn't decide what it wanted to be?”

Expand filter menu Content Warnings