Scan barcode
cassie7e's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
Very typical style of early sci fi; reminiscent of The Time Machine in that it was very quick and packed with story while not going very deep into character or development. An explicit exploration of a sci fi concept alone. For this it is entertaining.
However. It is also very old in a way that has not aged well:
1) Racist descriptions of the less evolved races/tribes, including negative savage depictions of the black people and noble savage depictions of a different tribe.
2) Huge savior complex. Might've enjoyed the actual story more if it didn't entirely rely on the main character having grand plans to raise the core humans out of their ignorance and throw off the slavery of their reptilian overlords, and have little to no opposition. There's just no regard for the intelligence of the people who already exist in the core, and David and Perry are going to save everyone.
3) Casual consideration of women as sexual property and frequent reference to them as "girls" who they travel around to bring home as mates. Particularly disturbing is how David's abusive advance in the later half of the book is seen as a deep romantic proclamation/demonstration of love for this woman he barely knows, who has consistently expressed her hatred for him. She's also the only female character in the book. Love is portrayed uncritically as a very shallow, appearance-based, sexual and possessive thing for both the core humans and the main character.
However. It is also very old in a way that has not aged well:
1) Racist descriptions of the less evolved races/tribes, including negative savage depictions of the black people and noble savage depictions of a different tribe.
2) Huge savior complex. Might've enjoyed the actual story more if it didn't entirely rely on the main character having grand plans to raise the core humans out of their ignorance and throw off the slavery of their reptilian overlords, and have little to no opposition. There's just no regard for the intelligence of the people who already exist in the core, and David and Perry are going to save everyone.
3) Casual consideration of women as sexual property and frequent reference to them as "girls" who they travel around to bring home as mates. Particularly disturbing is how David's abusive advance in the later half of the book is seen as a deep romantic proclamation/demonstration of love for this woman he barely knows, who has consistently expressed her hatred for him. She's also the only female character in the book. Love is portrayed uncritically as a very shallow, appearance-based, sexual and possessive thing for both the core humans and the main character.
Content Warnings
Minor: Trafficking, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Ableism, Colonisation, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, and Racism
More...