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thebonekingdom's review against another edition
3.0
When I first started this book, I got instantly hooked by it. Each chapter made me look forward to the next one, not only because of one single "end" reveal I waited for, like it was the case for One Last Stop, but thanks to the general mystery atmosphere lying within this book.
After reading mostly Fantasy for a while, I was glad to experience again this exhilarating feelings I get while reading stories about dystopian worlds.
I thought it was going to be a 5 star read however there was one detail that definitely lowered my rating.
Malory, the main character, suffers from this insufferable "everyone's savior" behaviour. Half through the story it can almost be unnoticeable, however there is one particular moment near the end, that especially bothered me.
During a confrontation between a victim and their abuser, Malory step in to talk and resume the situation, even though she only got to experience a tiny little fragment of what all the victims had to go through for 8 years. And, surprisingly enough, it is the argument she uses to justify her giving her point of view on the situation.
《 "If you had any ideas what this —person— put us through—"
"Okay, but... don't I? At least a little? 》
Moreover a few lines later she almost takes pity on the Director (the abuser), saying that she, maybe, is trying to make things right again and truly didn't mean to hurt them and wondering if it really makes her evil if she didn't mean them any harm. It felt like she was dismissing what each of her victims had to go through taking the position of "The one who knows better"
"Maybe she didn't want to hurt us, but she still took notes while she watched us die." -22
After reading mostly Fantasy for a while, I was glad to experience again this exhilarating feelings I get while reading stories about dystopian worlds.
I thought it was going to be a 5 star read however there was one detail that definitely lowered my rating.
Malory, the main character, suffers from this insufferable "everyone's savior" behaviour. Half through the story it can almost be unnoticeable, however there is one particular moment near the end, that especially bothered me.
During a confrontation between a victim and their abuser, Malory step in to talk and resume the situation, even though she only got to experience a tiny little fragment of what all the victims had to go through for 8 years. And, surprisingly enough, it is the argument she uses to justify her giving her point of view on the situation.
《 "If you had any ideas what this —person— put us through—"
"Okay, but... don't I? At least a little? 》
Moreover a few lines later she almost takes pity on the Director (the abuser), saying that she, maybe, is trying to make things right again and truly didn't mean to hurt them and wondering if it really makes her evil if she didn't mean them any harm. It felt like she was dismissing what each of her victims had to go through taking the position of "The one who knows better"
"Maybe she didn't want to hurt us, but she still took notes while she watched us die." -22
timinbc's review against another edition
3.0
This is not at all a good book, but I enjoyed it. I doubt that I can explain that, but I'll try.
First, I'm old, I've read a lot of SF including many dystopians, and I'm not a gamer. So maybe this isn't written for me.
But .. other reviewers have pointed out that the world building doesn't stand up to ANY scrutiny. Nearly every aspect of it is flimsy. Do what I did and skim occasionally.
Mal and her friends are reasonably believable. Not sure how much they actually sleep.
The whole plot about adapting orphans is seriously WTF, and the stated purpose of doing so is way out there. But it DOES give us the Galahadian warriors the story needs.
The book's one strength is the slow but steady development of the story arc of one of the numbered characters.
We'll skip the fact that the numbered characters are implausibly strong and capable until they are not.
And the Director at the end? Let's just say that a hint of two earlier might have made that one easier to accept.
And yet, for all that, I still enjoyed it.
First, I'm old, I've read a lot of SF including many dystopians, and I'm not a gamer. So maybe this isn't written for me.
But .. other reviewers have pointed out that the world building doesn't stand up to ANY scrutiny. Nearly every aspect of it is flimsy. Do what I did and skim occasionally.
Mal and her friends are reasonably believable. Not sure how much they actually sleep.
The whole plot about adapting orphans is seriously WTF, and the stated purpose of doing so is way out there. But it DOES give us the Galahadian warriors the story needs.
The book's one strength is the slow but steady development of the story arc of one of the numbered characters.
We'll skip the fact that the numbered characters are implausibly strong and capable until they are not.
And the Director at the end? Let's just say that a hint of two earlier might have made that one easier to accept.
And yet, for all that, I still enjoyed it.
asfonk's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
barnesm31's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
4.0
It's like 'Ready Player One' but the characters have more depth and nuance, the investigation into the corruption by corporate factions is more real-life believable and the avatars have a more heartbreaking origin. The story has the punk for cyberpunk then R.P.O and the revolution is never total. It's a fight every day to make the world better for people.
aggressive_nostalgia's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Police brutality
Moderate: Torture and War
Minor: Sexual assault
kyandesu's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
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? No
5.0
kevinmccarrick's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
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
4.5
milliemudd's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Death, and Violence
heidi_mcj's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent book. I liked the world building and but it did leave me with wanting more!
ohclaire's review against another edition
4.0
this was a good book but the ending... kinda devastated me in a bleak way. I really think that this is a book about the present as much as the future and the brutality of the ending kinda broke me tonight.