~127k words, ~12 hours, ARC Reader (digital).

Cloud Atlas meets Final Fantasy (7 or 9). A number of warring factions, each approaching dissonance with varying degrees of historical context and hidden agendas. It was difficult to predict what would happen, or as the story often is told without firm chronology, how we got where we are. At times, this was a wonderful way to retroactively add context, and at others it would have been more appropriate to tell the past before the present. Overall, I think the balance was well done, giving fair intrigue and curiosity followed by actually satisfying it in decent time.

As the first in the Tapestry series, it's a great opener. There are a lot of concepts being introduced, and several name drops that take a keen attentiveness to maintain bearing. The book did not spend a lot of time explaining things overtly but rather allowed the mystery to persist as though I was traveling with any of the main characters, learning in real time. There remains some missing details pertaining to the various people groups and customs; some times it felt oversimplified, such as a character making a situation black-and-white when there would certainly be more color. However, the world building is sufficient to deliver the story arc successfully and not overburden me with unworthy details. But fingers crossed we get some more filler going forward.

Dialogue was handled extremely well. There were various forms of communication that were each given a unique font or typewritten style that allowed for a more fluid experience. Internal voices, thoughts, signaling, speaking, codes; there were even incompatible languages and dialects that contributed to additional discomfort or tension in certain interactions and conversations. The author's attention to communication is a welcomed approach to the concept that people are unique and there is no such thing as a 'universal language'.

I'm eager for the next part, The Space Between Stars. There are a number of plot lines that haven't been fully resolved, and the 'fate' of the main characters is far from decided. And I'm very eager to see how far the special technology develops; it's such a tease for us engineers that love gadgets.

Content Warnings

The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory by Martha Wells

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challenging fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Obviously very short. My issue is it doesn’t have the same perspective as the previous books, so it was disorienting. I like the overall snapshot, but the delivery was strange

Exit Strategy by Martha Wells

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adventurous funny reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Many Love: A Memoir of Polyamory and Finding Love(s) by Sophie Lucido Johnson

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lighthearted fast-paced

3.0

This book had a wide variety of polyamory-related anecdotes. Some were great, others were hard to read about. The general storytelling was hard to follow, as numerous different people or relationships were mentioned with little to no segue. I’m also not quite settled on the overall takeaway that the author intended; the ending

focuses on the engagement between the author and Luke, giving the impression that the ‘relationship escalator’ is ultimately the goal even if you take a little detour through alternative relationship styles. However, taken with the context that Luke bird watches so much because it simply makes him happy, I think the author tried to show that she chose this life because it works for her and feels good and makes her happy.

There are many good examples throughout for showing compassion, grace, and empathy with ALL relationships, not just the romantic/sexual ones.

If I was unsure of being polyamorous, I would read this book and take its value as a part of a larger investigation into what being polyamorous means for myself, as well as for others.

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

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adventurous challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

There are several empowering moments, after wading through a ton of disheartening concepts. I appreciated the commentary related to non-monogamy, sexual orientation, and feminism.

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel

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adventurous mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

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castle_samj's reviews 40 reviews

castle_samj's reviews
40 reviews