Reviews

Borne by Jeff VanderMeer

rosiecockshutt's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

clonegarden's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

vandermeer always prompts me to consider morality, others' perspectives on morality, and my place in the world/ecosystem.

redley's review against another edition

dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

nicstephenson19's review against another edition

challenging dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

stepriot's review against another edition

4.0

I enjoy Vandermeer's whimsically terrifying style.

charliekusiel's review

adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

klparmley's review against another edition

4.0

Borne is part amoeba, part hydra and all curious. Also, very, VERY hungry.

Not happily-ever-after. But, a good ending, nevertheless.

rainstar's review against another edition

challenging mysterious slow-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

unluckycat13's review against another edition

This feels a bit like an attempt to tread some of the themes of Ghost in the Shell, but not really as good. The romantic focus brings it down, the characters aren't really interesting. The actual interesting elements are the background to the characters I'm not even into. 

annenichols's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

I think I really enjoyed this. At first, I wasn't sure I liked the voice (meaning the tone - I read this with my eyes, not audio). I think it calmed down a bit, or it grew on me. The start is very, very weird - stick with it. The relationship

between Rachel and Borne

was so beautiful - a stunning reflection on

motherhood

. Borne is a fascinating character.

The atmosphere was so tense; I stayed up so late reading it. The protagonist

is in constant danger

, which makes the book fast-paced and exciting.

The book requires quite the suspension of disbelief because the scifi isn't really explained or sensical. I usually prefer things to make sense, but accepting the world at face value was worth it for the story and the thoroughly rendered sense of place. The world is very well-woven if you accept the premise.

There were some good plot twists. The ending was somewhat

happy, which I appreciated

.

The dystopian features of how humanity destroyed itself were interesting as well.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Death