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balletbookworm's review against another edition
3.0
Ehhhhh, I can't decide if reading the previous work "The City of God" would have helped or not.
This an extremely setting-heavy dystopian novella about a man who flees after committing a murder and then becomes a prophet (?) after visiting The City of God. I honestly am not sure what was going on. It felt very familiar in tone, like it's similar to [b:The Inverted World|142181|The Inverted World|Christopher Priest|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1245646253l/142181._SY75_.jpg|2226603] and [b:Annihilation|17934530|Annihilation (Southern Reach, #1)|Jeff VanderMeer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1403941587l/17934530._SX50_.jpg|24946895] in the familiar-yet-wildly-different-and-abstract-setting.
It wasn't bad, but I didn't particularly like it.
This an extremely setting-heavy dystopian novella about a man who flees after committing a murder and then becomes a prophet (?) after visiting The City of God. I honestly am not sure what was going on. It felt very familiar in tone, like it's similar to [b:The Inverted World|142181|The Inverted World|Christopher Priest|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1245646253l/142181._SY75_.jpg|2226603] and [b:Annihilation|17934530|Annihilation (Southern Reach, #1)|Jeff VanderMeer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1403941587l/17934530._SX50_.jpg|24946895] in the familiar-yet-wildly-different-and-abstract-setting.
It wasn't bad, but I didn't particularly like it.
esterbolmenas's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
The afterword gave the book more depth, and it had its strong moments, but on the whole it just felt rushed and barely pulled together. Makes sense since it was written so strangely over 25 years and as novellas.
eclectictales's review against another edition
1.0
I was approved an ARC of this book by the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This review was originally posted at my blog, eclectic tales: http://eclectictales.insanitysandwich.com/blog/2020/08/17/review-city-under-the-stars/
I wanted to like this book, I really tried. The opening chapter reminded me of the Soviet dystopian novels–or any of the classic dystopian novels, really–that I read in the past, of the desolate landscapes and lifestyles, how it was all about the work. Hanson working away, the same tasks day in and out, contemplating about the wall dividing his life from what was out there, about the passage of time and the young replacing the old in the workplace. There were some contemplative, quiet pieces in this novella that was really interesting.
Having said that, I couldn’t really get into the story or the characters. Once Hanson left for the wilderness, just like his wanderings I wasn’t sure where the story was going. As promising as the premise was, nothing stood out for me to keep going. I managed to finish the book but I’m still not entirely sure what I read.
I wanted to like this book, I really tried. The opening chapter reminded me of the Soviet dystopian novels–or any of the classic dystopian novels, really–that I read in the past, of the desolate landscapes and lifestyles, how it was all about the work. Hanson working away, the same tasks day in and out, contemplating about the wall dividing his life from what was out there, about the passage of time and the young replacing the old in the workplace. There were some contemplative, quiet pieces in this novella that was really interesting.
Having said that, I couldn’t really get into the story or the characters. Once Hanson left for the wilderness, just like his wanderings I wasn’t sure where the story was going. As promising as the premise was, nothing stood out for me to keep going. I managed to finish the book but I’m still not entirely sure what I read.
tattooedbibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
"We are all of us insane...It's the Wall's fault. It's existence forces us to acknowledge that our reality is out of phase with our desires. But we cannot admit this. So, in denying it, we go mad. This is called cognitive dissonance."
One word. WEIRD.
This book is like a sci-fi Cast Away. Gloomy and dark, a man's monologue. Surprisingly emotional as such.
But this particular quote spoke to me, spoke to a deeper meaning. Something that's relevant in the real world. We don't have to have a wall that we can see, we have religion, science, things we cannot explain. This is enough to feel the way Hanson felt.
The writing was not overly technical as sometimes sci-fi can be. It was jarring at times, but I think that that was the intent, to be confusing during parts. I did feel that the lack of secondary characters detracted from the overall story. The little interaction Hanson had with other characters left me with an incomplete feeling, like his relationships with his fellow man would have made his decisions more meaningful. Perhaps more talk of or flashbacks to conversations with his deceased wife would have gave him a better connection to his world. I had trouble making that connection.
Overall a book that made me think.
One word. WEIRD.
This book is like a sci-fi Cast Away. Gloomy and dark, a man's monologue. Surprisingly emotional as such.
But this particular quote spoke to me, spoke to a deeper meaning. Something that's relevant in the real world. We don't have to have a wall that we can see, we have religion, science, things we cannot explain. This is enough to feel the way Hanson felt.
The writing was not overly technical as sometimes sci-fi can be. It was jarring at times, but I think that that was the intent, to be confusing during parts. I did feel that the lack of secondary characters detracted from the overall story. The little interaction Hanson had with other characters left me with an incomplete feeling, like his relationships with his fellow man would have made his decisions more meaningful. Perhaps more talk of or flashbacks to conversations with his deceased wife would have gave him a better connection to his world. I had trouble making that connection.
Overall a book that made me think.
kai_alexander's review against another edition
3.0
3 Stars
The City of Stars is a dystopian Sci-Fi novel set in a world in which the City of Gods closed themselves off from the rest of the world, leaving everything and everyone on the outside to ruin. In this, we follow Hason, who has been working in the coal mines, up until he is displaced by a younger, stronger worker. After Hansons fall we soon follow him on the run throughout this broken society and wilderness.
I enjoyed the writing style of this, it reminded me a lot of how the Windsinger trilogy is written. However, to be a shorter novel I did find at times the pacing to be lagging. The concept is interesting and well developed. As much as I wanted to give this a five-star rating for me it is a little too slow and rambling. It does have a very classic feeling overall in tone and nature. I would recommend if you are looking for a shorter Sci-Fi to pick up.
The City of Stars is a dystopian Sci-Fi novel set in a world in which the City of Gods closed themselves off from the rest of the world, leaving everything and everyone on the outside to ruin. In this, we follow Hason, who has been working in the coal mines, up until he is displaced by a younger, stronger worker. After Hansons fall we soon follow him on the run throughout this broken society and wilderness.
I enjoyed the writing style of this, it reminded me a lot of how the Windsinger trilogy is written. However, to be a shorter novel I did find at times the pacing to be lagging. The concept is interesting and well developed. As much as I wanted to give this a five-star rating for me it is a little too slow and rambling. It does have a very classic feeling overall in tone and nature. I would recommend if you are looking for a shorter Sci-Fi to pick up.
rorquals's review
2.0
I read this book thanks to Net Galley. Unfortunately, I was not as captivated as many were for this book. I didn’t feel like the story was well written and there were points that just didn’t make sense for me. I did not read the original book and I wonder if that impacted my perception but it was a confusing and dull book for me.
I felt like I was forcing myself to read a book for school rather than enjoying what I read.
I felt like I was forcing myself to read a book for school rather than enjoying what I read.
bookswithjk's review
The prose is beautifully written. However, for me, it does not propel the story forward fast enough to keep me engaged
cheyenneb's review
I gave this book a good try but in the end, it just wasn't for me. I felt very distant from the characters and even though it started out super fast paced and exciting, I quickly lost interest. I needed something more to hook me into the story.
nietzschesghost's review
4.0
Multiple award-winning science fiction writer and science fiction Hall of Fame inductee Gardner Dozois alongside fellow author Michael Swanwick present Dozois's last published work due to his tragic passing in 2018. City Under the Stars is a follow-up to novella The City of God and is a story fizzing with lush, beautiful prose and a dark and compulsive plot.
Carl Hanson, a working-class manual labourer, escapes his hometown on a whim due to the lack of prospects and an unpromising future with his supervisor trying all methods to get rid of him. Having just been made redundant from his strenuous work as a coal miner he travels to The City of God. The walls enveloping the city to his surprise open for him and once inside he discovers the city laden with uber-advanced technology and the absence of the city's fiendish alien rulers. He makes the rash decision to open the city's gates to all and sundry, giving people a utopia they had never experienced before, but he failed to ponder the possible repercussions or consequences of his seemingly altruistic actions. Thus begins a race against time to stop the technology falling into the wrong hands in a city that isn't what it initially appears...
This is a thoroughly enjoyable amalgamation of futuristic sci-fi and dystopian landscape with elements of both horror and fantasy added for good measure. It's a bleak and sinister work which follows Dozios's signature style but this time we are treated to a happier ending than most of his previous books in order to put a period at the end of what would've been added to further but for Dozois death. Long-time fans of Dozois and Swanwick will find much to appreciate here and those new to the prolific pair will likely be impressed by the sheer breadth and depth of the world-building, rich-imagined characters you really begin to care about and prose that's both engages and flows effortlessly. I also enjoyed starkness of the landscape and the exploration of socioeconomic issues which are executed with considerable aplomb. Many thanks to Tor for an ARC.
Carl Hanson, a working-class manual labourer, escapes his hometown on a whim due to the lack of prospects and an unpromising future with his supervisor trying all methods to get rid of him. Having just been made redundant from his strenuous work as a coal miner he travels to The City of God. The walls enveloping the city to his surprise open for him and once inside he discovers the city laden with uber-advanced technology and the absence of the city's fiendish alien rulers. He makes the rash decision to open the city's gates to all and sundry, giving people a utopia they had never experienced before, but he failed to ponder the possible repercussions or consequences of his seemingly altruistic actions. Thus begins a race against time to stop the technology falling into the wrong hands in a city that isn't what it initially appears...
This is a thoroughly enjoyable amalgamation of futuristic sci-fi and dystopian landscape with elements of both horror and fantasy added for good measure. It's a bleak and sinister work which follows Dozios's signature style but this time we are treated to a happier ending than most of his previous books in order to put a period at the end of what would've been added to further but for Dozois death. Long-time fans of Dozois and Swanwick will find much to appreciate here and those new to the prolific pair will likely be impressed by the sheer breadth and depth of the world-building, rich-imagined characters you really begin to care about and prose that's both engages and flows effortlessly. I also enjoyed starkness of the landscape and the exploration of socioeconomic issues which are executed with considerable aplomb. Many thanks to Tor for an ARC.