Scan barcode
jukaschar's review against another edition
3.0
Kea's Flight is not an easy book to review. While there are some things that I really like about the book (for example autism representation in both author and characters), there are also things that I really didn't like.
I'm autistic myself, so it is extremely enjoyable to come across autistic characters in speculative fiction. I do think that the authors are doing a great job at presenting their main and secondary characters and writing a story and a world where being autistic, neurodivergent and/or disabled really makes a difference in how you will live your life. I think it's even important to shine a dystopian light on these topics, to metaphorically emphasize real world problems.
Why then do I only give three stars to Kea's Flight?
1. Kinda technical issues: I did not much like the pace. From hectic to extremely slow, everything was to be found and to me this just wasn't ideal. Even though I'm aware of Erika Hammerschmidt's stance on editing I think the book would have profited a lot if someone professional had given their thoughts on how to structure and pace the plot.
2. The ending is a lot too utopian for me and feels like a major mistake. I think this created a totally unnecessary black-and-white overlay to the whole book. From my experience I also think that the majority of autistic people
3. Major personal, totally subjective issue in relation to Kea's special interest:
4. I agree very much with Ada Hoffmann's review where she points out that it's a major flaw of Kea's Flight that only 'stereotypically shiny Aspies' are represented fairly. Go read her review and explore her Autistic Book Party reviews, they're great!
I'm autistic myself, so it is extremely enjoyable to come across autistic characters in speculative fiction. I do think that the authors are doing a great job at presenting their main and secondary characters and writing a story and a world where being autistic, neurodivergent and/or disabled really makes a difference in how you will live your life. I think it's even important to shine a dystopian light on these topics, to metaphorically emphasize real world problems.
Why then do I only give three stars to Kea's Flight?
1. Kinda technical issues: I did not much like the pace. From hectic to extremely slow, everything was to be found and to me this just wasn't ideal. Even though I'm aware of Erika Hammerschmidt's stance on editing I think the book would have profited a lot if someone professional had given their thoughts on how to structure and pace the plot.
2. The ending is a lot too utopian for me and feels like a major mistake. I think this created a totally unnecessary black-and-white overlay to the whole book. From my experience I also think that the majority of autistic people
Spoiler
would not enjoy being involved in governing processes, because of anxiety and self-criticism issues that are really typical for many autists. That's a minor detail though and something I could've overlooked easily.3. Major personal, totally subjective issue in relation to Kea's special interest:
Spoiler
as a linguist and person deeply interested in languages I was at first happy to find that the main character of the book is interested in languages, too. But my joy didn't last long as Kea's interest in languages is neither researched well nor executed well in my opinion. And that's just upsetting. I do know it's a very personal, eventually minor detail, but to me it matters a lot.4. I agree very much with Ada Hoffmann's review where she points out that it's a major flaw of Kea's Flight that only 'stereotypically shiny Aspies' are represented fairly. Go read her review and explore her Autistic Book Party reviews, they're great!
lisaisabobisa's review
4.0
This was a great book and I'm excited to see more from Hammerschmidt. I read the first edition which has some harmful/outdated terms (such as a bit of a hang-up on the concept of Asperger's and savant skills) which is understandable for a book published in 2011 by a person with that diagnosis. In addition to this, the co-authors' name is Elle (or ZA Tanis) and it just really bugs me that it was so hard to find their name online, as even Amazon and Erika's website (and THIS website) have her deadname. I've looked a bit into the author and her partner/contributor, and I believe the errors are the result of their ongoing self-education into the confusing world of neurodivergence and gender identity. These meta-issues aside, the writing could have used some revision which was exacerbated by the author-self-insert protagonist bragging incessantly about how great of a writer she is. This is hyper-critical of me, but I must explain that this book is an amateur effort...that punches way above its weight class.
The author presents us with a lived-in dystopia that feels honest and terrifying. She perfectly captures the feeling of millennial self-diagnosis/ the ex-gifted kid experience through a fantastic literary allegory. The book seems to ask the question, What if Winston Smith was autistic? What if the victims of authoritarianism had been forced into masking their differences, capable of divergent thinking, and unable to accept illogical systems without explanation? I really, really enjoyed this book, and I hope it gets re-released with some edits so that more people can enjoy the fantastic concepts therein.
The author presents us with a lived-in dystopia that feels honest and terrifying. She perfectly captures the feeling of millennial self-diagnosis/ the ex-gifted kid experience through a fantastic literary allegory. The book seems to ask the question, What if Winston Smith was autistic? What if the victims of authoritarianism had been forced into masking their differences, capable of divergent thinking, and unable to accept illogical systems without explanation? I really, really enjoyed this book, and I hope it gets re-released with some edits so that more people can enjoy the fantastic concepts therein.
gloriousbooks's review
2.0
Also reviewed on the blog:
http://gloriousbooks.blogspot.com/2011/05/review-keas-flight.html
Kea’s Flight is definitely a very different read. I liked the different characters who were, at times, vulnerable, relatable and enjoyable to read about.
I really liked the idea behind the story and you can really learn a lot from this book, however, for me it was one of those reads that start of great but then loses it’s steam.
I started to feel like there was no basic plot line…not that there wasn’t a plot but that there were so many things happening that led on to another happening that it just became too much. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t enjoy it either…it just wasn’t for me.
I do recommend this book for others though. It was a really clever read at times and it surprised me at points. It was just one of those times when I found myself losing interest…it happens.
http://gloriousbooks.blogspot.com/2011/05/review-keas-flight.html
Kea’s Flight is definitely a very different read. I liked the different characters who were, at times, vulnerable, relatable and enjoyable to read about.
I really liked the idea behind the story and you can really learn a lot from this book, however, for me it was one of those reads that start of great but then loses it’s steam.
I started to feel like there was no basic plot line…not that there wasn’t a plot but that there were so many things happening that led on to another happening that it just became too much. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t enjoy it either…it just wasn’t for me.
I do recommend this book for others though. It was a really clever read at times and it surprised me at points. It was just one of those times when I found myself losing interest…it happens.
More...