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imyril's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Subjectively: I didn't enjoy this, growing increasingly frustrated with pace, characters and worldbuilding. But I am very picky and I tend to kick the walls of world building, especially when I'm not engaged by characters... and I was sufficiently uninvested that I actively rooted against the protagonist at the end. I did like that this book confirms some of the prose choices as expressions of the worldbuilding (such as the complete absence of words like man / woman vs male / female and person vs Elemental); and I rather like that it never describes most of its characters (when it does, it tends to do so in terms of physique; the only attribute that stands out otherwise is that Kaide has curly dark hair).
Objectively: consider it 3 stars. This is fine. The prose is good, the world is interesting and this second book develops both world and characters as Anaiya arcs towards true Heterodoxy. If you're looking for a dystopian read and don't over-analyse everything (sorry not sorry) then this series is definitely worth a look. I'd recommend it as NA and to newcomers to SF / dystopian reads.
Full review to follow.
I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Objectively: consider it 3 stars. This is fine. The prose is good, the world is interesting and this second book develops both world and characters as Anaiya arcs towards true Heterodoxy. If you're looking for a dystopian read and don't over-analyse everything (sorry not sorry) then this series is definitely worth a look. I'd recommend it as NA and to newcomers to SF / dystopian reads.
Full review to follow.
I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Police brutality and Violence
Minor: Ableism and Self harm
The world-building is implicitly ageist and ableist (the entire population is genetically engineered for specific outcomes, and expects to die in their 50s due to toxin exposure). Characters are demoted and at times mocked for supposedly suffering from cognitive impairment (which they are faking). The narrative is about pushing back on the way the society defines and controls itself, but not for these reasons. For a world where procreation isn't a consideration, the overwhelming straightness of the on-page relationships feels odd (there was a sapphic couple in book one, but
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