Reviews

Those Beyond the Wall by Micaiah Johnson

goblingirlreads's review

medium-paced

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

2.5

I don't know, guys. On the one hand Micaiah Johnson has a VOICE. I actually love her writing style and the way the language just punches you in the gut over and over. That said, this book was a bit of a mess for me. A lot of inconsistencies in plot, character, and world. By the end of the book I hated the choices of every single character. While the messaging is really clear in some parts, it's also morally icky in others. I'm stuck with how to think and feel with this one so I'm giving it an absolute middle of the road 2.5 review. I think this will be a very divisive one!

renstrange's review

adventurous challenging dark inspiring mysterious reflective tense 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

please sir, may i have some more? 🙏 

i am genuinely obsessed with the characters and world micaiah johnson has created. this book was even better than the first and i'm still clamoring for more. 

the commentary on class disparity, racism, and the impact of white supremacy on any differentiation from whiteness and cisgender-ness was sharp and  poignant. it’s about how protest must answer the violence of oppression. it’s about identity, family, and love. 

i see an avenue for a third installment that i desperately, desperately hope we get. i am so immersed in this world and i don’t want to leave just yet.

emjay24's review

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

jpro1990's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional fast-paced

• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

bobbi's review

dark 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? Yes

3.0

rejena's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

This is one of those books that make you wish you could immediately go back and read it for the first time. Absolutely amazing.

zelaxi's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

effinalice's review

4.5

4.5 rounded to 5. 

Those Beyond the Wall is the sequel to The Space Between Worlds. It is a dystopian sci-fi story about resistance, love and growth. It does not shy away from brutality. Although it is not a direct sequel you will definitely need to read The Space Between Worlds first to understand parts of the story. 

I really enjoyed this book. Micaiah Johnson is an excellent writer. I'm sad I read this through the library because there were so many passages I wanted to underline.

lacewing's review against another edition

adventurous dark 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? Yes

3.5

rheagoveas's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Blood