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mementomorivv's review against another edition
3.0
Going to be honest, I forgot I read it the second the audiobook finished. But the story itself was very interesting, just not as memorable as I would've liked. I did enjoy the narration though.
almond's review
3.0
I think I prefer Charlie Jane Anders’ novels over her short fiction. This one wasn’t a favorite
rick_k's review against another edition
2.0
The Cartography of Sudden Death is a delicious title for short story. With those few words imagery and plots begin to weave. In Anders' story the cartography of sudden death is a form of time travel using the paradoxes generated in unplanned deaths to ride the ripples to other points in the timeline. In general the concept is strong, but it would seem more likely that moments of paradox or divergence would provide dimensional rather than chronological pathways. The writing lacks poetry and leaves the characters thinly rendered and motivations unclear. Apart from the interesting premise there isn't much to grab onto.
neldiamond's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
violentlyagitated's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
jessereadsthings's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
2.0
Just boring and not that good to be honest.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Genocide
bladelikesbooks's review against another edition
2.0
I actually really liked the concept of the plot but I don’t think the execution pays off. I feel like I was reading just a random, small piece of a bigger story and this focused on the most boring piece of the novel. Like this felt pointless. I guess it introduced the characters and had a bit of world building but other than the most basic intros, nothing else happened. Honestly, I was so disinterested in this that even if this was a preview for a longer novel, I don’t think I would be compelled to read the full novel. This one definitely wasn’t for me.
TWs/CWs - Blood; Bullying; Colonisation; Cussing; Death; Death Camps; Gun; Kidnapping; Murder; Physical Abuse
alexvb's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I really, really enjoyed this but it was way too short! In such a small amount of time, I had a sense of the world and the characters, and I would LOVE for a full-length novel of this or at least this world be written. Absolutely solid novella. I loved it. I'll definitely be checking out Anders' other work. And the artwork for this is GORGEOUS.
mandygris's review against another edition
4.0
This was a really absorbing short story. Very enjoyable and it didn't feel like it cut corners with detail. It hit all the right notes for me. I'd love to read more about Professor Brookwater's adventures through time!
potato_tiger's review against another edition
3.0
The world-building and concepts were really neat, but I felt like the ending was more of a whimper than a bang. I would definitely be interested in reading a full-length novel though.