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sandiet's review
5.0
This is not Ms. Richardson's first book but it is her fictional debut and it's a VERY powerful debut.
A dystopian look into a "future" world which is also an unsettling look back into the past and a look at our present day. It's eerily familiar in so many ways. You don't have to be from any particular race to understand what this book is about and different nationalities/races will be able to see their own communities affected by colonialism. People who come in and steal people, steal land, steal riches and say they're doing it for the betterment of everyone. Somehow because people are different or didn't speak the same language they needed saving or fixing.
I won't say any more, except to say read this very excellent book. I wholeheartedly recommend but be warned you'll be angry because you'll realize we really haven't come that far at all. But as the author writes "A system can't be broken in a moment" it's just too bad the system exists in the first place.
A dystopian look into a "future" world which is also an unsettling look back into the past and a look at our present day. It's eerily familiar in so many ways. You don't have to be from any particular race to understand what this book is about and different nationalities/races will be able to see their own communities affected by colonialism. People who come in and steal people, steal land, steal riches and say they're doing it for the betterment of everyone. Somehow because people are different or didn't speak the same language they needed saving or fixing.
I won't say any more, except to say read this very excellent book. I wholeheartedly recommend but be warned you'll be angry because you'll realize we really haven't come that far at all. But as the author writes "A system can't be broken in a moment" it's just too bad the system exists in the first place.
alexandrathegreat89's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Racism
Moderate: Death of parent, Bullying, Suicide, Child death, Grief, Sexual violence, and Kidnapping
icequeensamwitch's review
4.0
One of the best books I read on 2022, an extremely timely, thought provoking read, and an amazing breakout novel from Jael Richardson.
The only reason it lost a star is because the writing can be a little bit dry and repetitive at times, but the underlying story and themes are enough to make you want to push through.
I'm excited for the discussed sequel, and for her future pieces, and to see how her writing style develops with experience.
The only reason it lost a star is because the writing can be a little bit dry and repetitive at times, but the underlying story and themes are enough to make you want to push through.
I'm excited for the discussed sequel, and for her future pieces, and to see how her writing style develops with experience.
melissalabelle's review
3.0
I really wanted to love this because I enjoy dystopian novels and the topics presented, but I felt like the story was repetitive, lacked momentum, and that the different sections were disjointed and awkward.
josiegrossy13's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
carlamt's review
3.0
2.5⭐ there wasn't anything wrong with the book (on the contrary, it explores very relevant topics in a well-thought-out way) but I wasn't hooked and it took me weeks to get through it
simmonsmry's review against another edition
challenging
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
theofficialzhang's review
3.0
FoR22 5/6
This book is really eye-opening towards racism and how similar and horrible situations like the story’s “Gutter System” have taken place and how they’re still taking place!
Pro’s:
- The book makes you really really mad at the system and makes you think about things that’ve happened in our world
- The author does a really good job writing the book in general, making you angry at the system, the people in the system, the characters, and our own world
Con’s
- I wish the ending was more resolved. However, it may be the way it is because the author plans on writing a second book, I don’t know
- I also feel like this book should be marketed more towards young adult because of Elimina’s age as well as now it’s themes apply more towards teens rather than adults
This book is really eye-opening towards racism and how similar and horrible situations like the story’s “Gutter System” have taken place and how they’re still taking place!
Pro’s:
- The book makes you really really mad at the system and makes you think about things that’ve happened in our world
- The author does a really good job writing the book in general, making you angry at the system, the people in the system, the characters, and our own world
Con’s
- I wish the ending was more resolved. However, it may be the way it is because the author plans on writing a second book, I don’t know
- I also feel like this book should be marketed more towards young adult because of Elimina’s age as well as now it’s themes apply more towards teens rather than adults