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jess_mango's review
4.0
I am torn on what to rate this. Somewhere around 3.5 or 4. There was a lot I liked about this and other stuff that I didn't. It is definitely an ambitious book. The best way to describe it is "Slave Narrative in Space".
Humans have been living on the Mathilda for several generations. They left a dying Earth and are headed for a new place to settle. The Mathilda has many decks with the upper decks being populated by the Sovereign and their ilk and the lowest decks being populated by the dark-skinned slaves who do all the farming and other work to keep the ship society functional. The protagonist Aster is a wonderful character. I also found it interesting that in this society babies are presumed and treated as female or non-binary. There are a lot of non-binary characters in this book.
So, lots of stuff here about race, gender, etc. There is a lot of trauma, misery and outrage packed in this story. Imagine a slave narrative where the slaves have no chance of escape since they are on a space craft moving through deep space. I enjoyed the writing and the characters and will definitely check out Solomon's latest novel.
This book reminded me of:
[b:Binti|25667918|Binti (Binti, #1)|Nnedi Okorafor|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1433804020l/25667918._SY75_.jpg|45491127]
[b:Dawn|60929|Dawn (Xenogenesis, #1)|Octavia E. Butler|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388290339l/60929._SY75_.jpg|1008111]
[b:Across the Universe|8235178|Across the Universe (Across the Universe, #1)|Beth Revis|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1401852218l/8235178._SY75_.jpg|13082532]
Humans have been living on the Mathilda for several generations. They left a dying Earth and are headed for a new place to settle. The Mathilda has many decks with the upper decks being populated by the Sovereign and their ilk and the lowest decks being populated by the dark-skinned slaves who do all the farming and other work to keep the ship society functional. The protagonist Aster is a wonderful character. I also found it interesting that in this society babies are presumed and treated as female or non-binary. There are a lot of non-binary characters in this book.
So, lots of stuff here about race, gender, etc. There is a lot of trauma, misery and outrage packed in this story. Imagine a slave narrative where the slaves have no chance of escape since they are on a space craft moving through deep space. I enjoyed the writing and the characters and will definitely check out Solomon's latest novel.
This book reminded me of:
[b:Binti|25667918|Binti (Binti, #1)|Nnedi Okorafor|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1433804020l/25667918._SY75_.jpg|45491127]
[b:Dawn|60929|Dawn (Xenogenesis, #1)|Octavia E. Butler|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388290339l/60929._SY75_.jpg|1008111]
[b:Across the Universe|8235178|Across the Universe (Across the Universe, #1)|Beth Revis|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1401852218l/8235178._SY75_.jpg|13082532]
allie_rose's review against another edition
4.0
Brutal but interesting world and I loved the exploration of neuro- and gender divergence. Some pacing issues—felt a little rushed in some places, slow in others
kendylldrilling's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
delmam's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
pkiwi's review
3.0
Shines with brilliant ideas at times, but on the whole a disjointed experience to read and not quite as original as i'd like my sci-fi to be.
ashlilo's review
challenging
mysterious
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
"People do not know what to make of me, and this pleases me. I don't want to be scrutable."
Aster and Theo have my heart. I don't think I have the proper words to describe how much this book touched me.
Aster and Theo have my heart. I don't think I have the proper words to describe how much this book touched me.
mebius's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
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
4.0
suspence01's review
challenging
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
5.0
mandicorbari's review
5.0
This book is just fantastic. The author does an incredible job writing for several diverse characters that are all complex and realistic. Nothing in this book is expected, I was hooked until the very end. It's a dystopian future space opera that cleverly echos the iniquities and cruelties that BIPOC, queer people, and neurodivergent people face in our world. If you like worldbuilding, you will absolutely love an unkindness of ghosts. I can't rave enough about this book.