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jessereadsthings's review
sad
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Death, Genocide, Misogyny, Colonisation, and Pandemic/Epidemic
sophiesmallhands's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Misogyny, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Dementia, and Religious bigotry
Minor: War
jennikreads's review
adventurous
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Medical trauma
Moderate: Violence, Misogyny, and Death
caryndi's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I read this as part of In Our Own Worlds #2: Four LGBTQ+ Tor.com Novellas collection. It was my insomnia read for a few weeks, and I really enjoyed it.
Sisters of the Vast Black is quieter than a lot of sci-fi, but that doesn't mean there's no conflict. The Sisters in question, nuns of the Order of St. Rita who travel on the Our Lady of Impossible Constellations, are battling against their home system and the central church that does not entirely share their goals. The women themselves are not all pure of heart and sure of faith, but they share the goal of helping others. As they chase this goal, they have revelations of their own, both of a personal nature and about the wider shape of the universe.
Overall, I really enjoyed the theme of this story: That when living in places so fragile and far apart, it is our duty to help one another despite our differences. I think there is also the undercurrent of hope in the power of small joys, no matter how difficult life is.
Recommend? Yes, if you're in the mood for something more literary than action-driven! A good novella to be enjoyed with a cup of tea on a quiet afternoon.
Sisters of the Vast Black is quieter than a lot of sci-fi, but that doesn't mean there's no conflict. The Sisters in question, nuns of the Order of St. Rita who travel on the Our Lady of Impossible Constellations, are battling against their home system and the central church that does not entirely share their goals. The women themselves are not all pure of heart and sure of faith, but they share the goal of helping others. As they chase this goal, they have revelations of their own, both of a personal nature and about the wider shape of the universe.
Overall, I really enjoyed the theme of this story: That when living in places so fragile and far apart, it is our duty to help one another despite our differences. I think there is also the undercurrent of hope in the power of small joys, no matter how difficult life is.
Recommend? Yes, if you're in the mood for something more literary than action-driven! A good novella to be enjoyed with a cup of tea on a quiet afternoon.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Genocide, and Misogyny
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