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davykent's reviews
294 reviews
Chlorophyll and Gasoline by S.J. Fleming
2.0
This is an unfortunate DNF for me. I stopped reading at the 72% mark due to weakness in structure and pacing.
Chlorophyll and Gasoline has a strong beginning. The worldbuilding is thematic and intriguing, with the old world of skyscrapers overtaken by "stamens," colonies that live in enormous trees that root within the remains of these metropolises. Naming conventions follow this theme, and humanity has adapted to this new style of living by hybridizing with flora. In this, S.J. Fleming excels.
The beginning, also, is enticing. You are quickly introduced to the main character and the plot -- that is, the discovery of an android that is still operational. The android is unfamiliar with the new world and is eager to learn, and Willow, the MC, is faced with the issue that her stamen would frown heavily on the existence of an Iron One, let alone consorting with one.
That's interesting.
But then it unravels. The plot becomes aimless, and new elements are introduced that make no sense. The narrative retreats into the MC's mind, except the MC doesn't have anything of note to really say. We are removed from the story and we are instead forced to contend with the MC's old teenage romances, a break in lore to facilitate that ex-dalliance, and then vague conflicts within the stamen. All this is supposed to build the tension, but it fails to do so. In fact, the story grinds to a halt. What gave the story so much potential is abandoned by the wayside for sloppy monologues, poor editing (entire sections are incomplete, or use repeated words), and a change in theme.
As a result, I didn't finish reading the book, as disappointing that may be. It had a lot of promise.
Chlorophyll and Gasoline has a strong beginning. The worldbuilding is thematic and intriguing, with the old world of skyscrapers overtaken by "stamens," colonies that live in enormous trees that root within the remains of these metropolises. Naming conventions follow this theme, and humanity has adapted to this new style of living by hybridizing with flora. In this, S.J. Fleming excels.
The beginning, also, is enticing. You are quickly introduced to the main character and the plot -- that is, the discovery of an android that is still operational. The android is unfamiliar with the new world and is eager to learn, and Willow, the MC, is faced with the issue that her stamen would frown heavily on the existence of an Iron One, let alone consorting with one.
That's interesting.
But then it unravels. The plot becomes aimless, and new elements are introduced that make no sense. The narrative retreats into the MC's mind, except the MC doesn't have anything of note to really say. We are removed from the story and we are instead forced to contend with the MC's old teenage romances, a break in lore to facilitate that ex-dalliance, and then vague conflicts within the stamen. All this is supposed to build the tension, but it fails to do so. In fact, the story grinds to a halt. What gave the story so much potential is abandoned by the wayside for sloppy monologues, poor editing (entire sections are incomplete, or use repeated words), and a change in theme.
As a result, I didn't finish reading the book, as disappointing that may be. It had a lot of promise.