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mbenzz's review
4.0
This was a much more thoughtful and powerful book than I was expecting. The unexpected love Ima developed for Reed (and others) was beautiful to follow, and while the secrets of the Erta weren't a huge surprise, I enjoyed the book nonetheless.
I thought the ending was a little over-the-top, and I would have loved a follow-up to learn what happened to Reed, but overall, this is a solid science fiction/not-quite-dystopian book, and I'm glad I snagged it on the 99 cent BookBub deal.
I thought the ending was a little over-the-top, and I would have loved a follow-up to learn what happened to Reed, but overall, this is a solid science fiction/not-quite-dystopian book, and I'm glad I snagged it on the 99 cent BookBub deal.
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Introspective post-apocalyptic sci-fi with a finger on the pulse of what it means to be a parent.
Several centuries into Earth's future and the planet is no longer populated with humans. The Erta, genetically engineered by the previous colonisers, have spent hundreds of years reversing the damage done by humans. Now, as they prepare to leave, their work done ("do not multiply more than you can sustain, do not consume more than you need, do not create more than is necessary"), the decision must be made as to whether they reintroduce people to the planet, potentially to make the same mistakes twice. A single human baby is generated, with Ima volunteering to raise him, very different to her centuries spent in the skies (I have spent my life studying and manipulating the chemistry of the atmosphere"). She will be dispassionate, logical and neutral in her assessments of the growing human. Taking care of his needs will be systematic and uninvolved, and a decision can be taken when he reaches manhood.
The story arcs through Ima's whole experience of taking the small bundle back to her abode soon after his birth and follows her experiences as a 'parent', whilst also showing how those inside and outside of child-rearing view it.
Walker brings a huge amount of empathy and understanding to the details of the nurturing investigation. Any adult who has gone through this will feel a huge amount of sympathy and also a little schadenfreude for the complacency of Ima, the logical and rather cold being whose whole life and way of looking at the world drastically alters.
Swaddled inside the larger story is this one of a parent and child, both learning together. This is a human story. The world-wide plot, of Etra's society, values and future is the science fiction side, and I loved picturing the abodes, the look of the Etra, how members fit together in their roles and eventually finding out the history of humans and their creations.
Watching the human child grow up felt very familiar, as a parent with two of my own boys, and seeing him reach the age of questioning, of change, was movingly conveyed. It all gave pause for thought, with a plot that felt close to home and certainly less improbable than you might like. And there were some laughs to be had along the way, especially with some early-on parenting mistakes/lessons that a lot of readers will find familiar.
Really poignant, intriguing and compassionate story and characters. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing an advance reading copy.
Several centuries into Earth's future and the planet is no longer populated with humans. The Erta, genetically engineered by the previous colonisers, have spent hundreds of years reversing the damage done by humans. Now, as they prepare to leave, their work done ("do not multiply more than you can sustain, do not consume more than you need, do not create more than is necessary"), the decision must be made as to whether they reintroduce people to the planet, potentially to make the same mistakes twice. A single human baby is generated, with Ima volunteering to raise him, very different to her centuries spent in the skies (I have spent my life studying and manipulating the chemistry of the atmosphere"). She will be dispassionate, logical and neutral in her assessments of the growing human. Taking care of his needs will be systematic and uninvolved, and a decision can be taken when he reaches manhood.
The story arcs through Ima's whole experience of taking the small bundle back to her abode soon after his birth and follows her experiences as a 'parent', whilst also showing how those inside and outside of child-rearing view it.
Walker brings a huge amount of empathy and understanding to the details of the nurturing investigation. Any adult who has gone through this will feel a huge amount of sympathy and also a little schadenfreude for the complacency of Ima, the logical and rather cold being whose whole life and way of looking at the world drastically alters.
Swaddled inside the larger story is this one of a parent and child, both learning together. This is a human story. The world-wide plot, of Etra's society, values and future is the science fiction side, and I loved picturing the abodes, the look of the Etra, how members fit together in their roles and eventually finding out the history of humans and their creations.
Watching the human child grow up felt very familiar, as a parent with two of my own boys, and seeing him reach the age of questioning, of change, was movingly conveyed. It all gave pause for thought, with a plot that felt close to home and certainly less improbable than you might like. And there were some laughs to be had along the way, especially with some early-on parenting mistakes/lessons that a lot of readers will find familiar.
Really poignant, intriguing and compassionate story and characters. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing an advance reading copy.
rvmama's review against another edition
1.0
All global warming, humans are bad. Didn't like it at all.
jillianzacchia's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book because I love reading how aliens / other species are portrayed. Erta may be more AI than alien, but the situation was similar enough. I liked the concept for the story, and having just spent the last year raising my son, I really connected with the first half of the story when Reed was young. I liked the slow reveal of information, the slow burn romance spanning many years and the way Ima evolved and grew to be more compassionate.
What I found odd was how the group of Erta were supposed to be so rational and level headed, yet they fought and lied and bickered like humans. They were more human than they should have been, from the start, and I thought the book would go down a different path, where the Erta make the same mistakes we do and end up fucking up the planet again.
It was an interesting read with a decent ending. If you like sci-fi and have a young son it'll be fun to see your experience reflected here.
What I found odd was how the group of Erta were supposed to be so rational and level headed, yet they fought and lied and bickered like humans. They were more human than they should have been, from the start, and I thought the book would go down a different path, where the Erta make the same mistakes we do and end up fucking up the planet again.
It was an interesting read with a decent ending. If you like sci-fi and have a young son it'll be fun to see your experience reflected here.
doctorsophie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
alongreader's review against another edition
3.0
I've enjoyed other books by Adrian Walker, but this one just didn't grip me for some reason. It's an interesting topic, I just thought it took too long to get where it was going..
crochetdinosaur's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-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? Yes
4.0
heytait's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
tasha5492's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5