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jennrocca's review against another edition
4.0
Originally, I was only going to give this three stars. Early on in the book the heavy handed environmental messages were annoying me. But, in the end, I loved the characters so much and I was so involved in what happened to them that I was too invested in the story to be bothered by any heavy handed message sending.
This sequel is more sci-fi-ish than "The House of Scorpion". The world is the same but we see more of the science and technology that is making the world work.
I'll recommend the sequel to anyone who liked the first book. If a third book comes out, I'll read that one too.
This sequel is more sci-fi-ish than "The House of Scorpion". The world is the same but we see more of the science and technology that is making the world work.
I'll recommend the sequel to anyone who liked the first book. If a third book comes out, I'll read that one too.
emruston28's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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
4.75
alicebme's review against another edition
4.0
Whoa. I didn't expect any sort of sequel to House of the Scorpion, but when my husband brought home the ARC, I flipped out. Living in Tucson, I find this storyline super fascinating and not a little bit eerie. So much of this seems possible. Of course, I think that about all of the futuristic stories... I appreciate the relationships that Farmer gave to Matt--his friendships with the boys, protective big brother attitude toward Listen, and the complicated feelings he has toward Waitress and Maria. Most of all, though, I enjoyed the characters of Cienfuegos and some of the other men in Opium who were chipped. They became father-figures to Matt, and helped to shape his views of how he should run Opium. This was a satisfying read. Every page. I feel like it was a little gift I wasn't expecting :-)
malea_ann's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Medical trauma, Addiction, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Drug abuse, Violence, Slavery, Murder, Grief, Drug use, Death of parent, Death, Child death, Child abuse, and Animal death
ireliajellycomb's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
curlyfrze's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
charliebites's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Medical content, Medical trauma, Trafficking, Mental illness, and Slavery
Moderate: Classism, Genocide, Grief, Deportation, Kidnapping, and Death
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, and Child death
lee_hillshire's review
I picked this book up at the library shop because the cover was striking, and then afterwards realized that it was the sequel to the "House of the Scorpion" book that I had accidentally ended up with a few months before. I would have avoided reading the first book for longer if I wasn't intrigued by this cover, and I'm so grateful for that because these books are actually so good.
The setting awkwardness of the first book is a lot lessened, which makes sense given Matt's change in life state between books.
The themes. The characters. The everything. I think my brain is too overwhelmed to actually say much about the book because it's very good and I just love it. I would read Expanse sized novels in this world, the current length of them does do them justice, but leaves it very understated. Which does work very well, but I wouldn't turn down more either.
I will admit the ending feels a little rushed, and a bit too clean. Especially the resolution of the eejit plotline, which I understand, but realistically there should have been more issues going on there. And the Matt/Maria bit feels like more of a pretty bow than I gravitate towards at this point in my life, but if I'm being honest I would have adored it at the target age for these books, so I won't dock points from it there.
But even without that, it's a really great story, and has taken up a very special place in my heart.
The setting awkwardness of the first book is a lot lessened, which makes sense given Matt's change in life state between books.
The themes. The characters. The everything. I think my brain is too overwhelmed to actually say much about the book because it's very good and I just love it. I would read Expanse sized novels in this world, the current length of them does do them justice, but leaves it very understated. Which does work very well, but I wouldn't turn down more either.
I will admit the ending feels a little rushed, and a bit too clean. Especially the resolution of the eejit plotline, which I understand, but realistically there should have been more issues going on there. And the Matt/Maria bit feels like more of a pretty bow than I gravitate towards at this point in my life, but if I'm being honest I would have adored it at the target age for these books, so I won't dock points from it there.
But even without that, it's a really great story, and has taken up a very special place in my heart.
greaydean's review against another edition
4.0
Not quite as good as the first in the series. But still quite enjoyable and opens some more questions and provides some answers. Fun.