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birdloveranne's review against another edition
4.0
There were some slow parts, but overall, I did like the world building and the characters. Good story, however, the ending was a bit unfinished. I suppose that is so that there can be a sequel. But I don't plan to read a sequel. So that was disappointing.
aruejohns's review against another edition
1.0
Hm... This book had a lot of mixed ideas for me. I'm going to start with some good things:
1. Good writing. I was drawn into what was being said and I really enjoyed the book.
2. Good plot and characters. I understood the motivation of every character in the book, even the bad guys.
3. Promoted diversity, but more on that momentarily.
Bad things:
1. Lack of diversity. For a book whose message was that people of different skin colors, religions, and ways of life can get along, I found it disturbing how few aspects of diversity we deal with in today's society were accurately portrayed in the book. Skin colors were white and green. Religions were Christianity and Atheism (and I guess Cannibalism, but that wasn't explored well). Ways of life were limited to four social classes that can't be mapped onto today's society at all. I would have appreciated a better exploration of any of these aspects with regard to any non-privileged modern group. Why couldn't the society that survived the war be Buddhist? It seemed to me that diversity was created artificially, instead of using or even including the diversity that we already have.
2. What was the message of the book? For most of the book, I thought it would be about how different ways of solving a problem can all be successful, but the ending of the book suggested otherwise. Maybe I just missed the point, but this was a problem for me.
I know that I wrote way more about the bad stuff than the good stuff, but I feel like the bad stuff needed to be explained more because it wasn't as obvious. All in all, I definitely enjoyed this book and would recommend it to someone looking for a good dystopian/sci-fi novel, but I think it's important to keep the diversity issues in mind while reading the book.
1. Good writing. I was drawn into what was being said and I really enjoyed the book.
2. Good plot and characters. I understood the motivation of every character in the book, even the bad guys.
3. Promoted diversity, but more on that momentarily.
Bad things:
1. Lack of diversity. For a book whose message was that people of different skin colors, religions, and ways of life can get along, I found it disturbing how few aspects of diversity we deal with in today's society were accurately portrayed in the book. Skin colors were white and green. Religions were Christianity and Atheism (and I guess Cannibalism, but that wasn't explored well). Ways of life were limited to four social classes that can't be mapped onto today's society at all. I would have appreciated a better exploration of any of these aspects with regard to any non-privileged modern group. Why couldn't the society that survived the war be Buddhist? It seemed to me that diversity was created artificially, instead of using or even including the diversity that we already have.
2. What was the message of the book? For most of the book, I thought it would be about how different ways of solving a problem can all be successful, but the ending of the book suggested otherwise. Maybe I just missed the point, but this was a problem for me.
I know that I wrote way more about the bad stuff than the good stuff, but I feel like the bad stuff needed to be explained more because it wasn't as obvious. All in all, I definitely enjoyed this book and would recommend it to someone looking for a good dystopian/sci-fi novel, but I think it's important to keep the diversity issues in mind while reading the book.
diz_tn's review against another edition
5.0
First off, let me just say that if I had realized there was a big religious undertone to this book I probably wouldn't have picked it. Let me tell you why this book is different from any other one you've read though.
Botanicaust is a post-apocalyptic thriller that is unlike any others. It starts off a little slow and, frankly, is hard to connect to because the reader is not told what actually happened to destroy civilization until halfway through the book. The tension the "not knowing" created is what kept me reading though.
The Holdout is an old religious order (Christian based) that survived the Botanicaust. They are mostly cast as the "good guys" even though the protagonist, Levi, a resident of the Holdout, begins the story by defying the order of his leaders to stay within the fence of their compound. During his journey and subsequent trials in the outside world to find a cure for his son, who has cystic fibrosis, he constantly questions his religious beliefs. Yet even until the end of the book, the Holdout members are portrayed as good. Meanwhile, there are 3 forms of "bad guys" - cannibals, people who genetically altered themselves with plant DNA so that they could photosynthesize, and people who genetically altered themselves to stop aging. As each of the characters reveals their true selves through their actions and behavior, the lines between good and bad begin to blur for the reader just as they do for Levi.
The arguments Levi makes to himself and to others about the place of religion in society were thought-provoking and powerful. This was not your usual uninspired and conventional arguments for or against religion. Neither were they out of context or preachy. All the religious talk was done strictly within the context and confines of the plot. It was refreshing to be able to read a Christian(ish?) book that didn't sound like a moral judgment on me personally.
There were a couple of other things that set this book apart from other post-apocalyptic ones. First, this one is set several hundred years AFTER the created apocalypse. This setting changes the tone of the book from one of basic survival to one of creating a BETTER world. Second, the stated apocalypse is totally unique from anything else I've ever read, and thus the societies and characters are new and interesting. Third, there aren't really any stereotypes or flat characters like you often see in this genre. As I mentioned, each character shows growth or reveals hidden motives that make them real.
All of these things make for a great book. I highly recommend this book if you enjoy post-apocalyptic stories. Also recommended for adult Christian readers who are looking for something a little different (warning though - there is a little bit of sex and cursing in the book).
Botanicaust is a post-apocalyptic thriller that is unlike any others. It starts off a little slow and, frankly, is hard to connect to because the reader is not told what actually happened to destroy civilization until halfway through the book. The tension the "not knowing" created is what kept me reading though.
The Holdout is an old religious order (Christian based) that survived the Botanicaust. They are mostly cast as the "good guys" even though the protagonist, Levi, a resident of the Holdout, begins the story by defying the order of his leaders to stay within the fence of their compound. During his journey and subsequent trials in the outside world to find a cure for his son, who has cystic fibrosis, he constantly questions his religious beliefs. Yet even until the end of the book, the Holdout members are portrayed as good. Meanwhile, there are 3 forms of "bad guys" - cannibals, people who genetically altered themselves with plant DNA so that they could photosynthesize, and people who genetically altered themselves to stop aging. As each of the characters reveals their true selves through their actions and behavior, the lines between good and bad begin to blur for the reader just as they do for Levi.
The arguments Levi makes to himself and to others about the place of religion in society were thought-provoking and powerful. This was not your usual uninspired and conventional arguments for or against religion. Neither were they out of context or preachy. All the religious talk was done strictly within the context and confines of the plot. It was refreshing to be able to read a Christian(ish?) book that didn't sound like a moral judgment on me personally.
There were a couple of other things that set this book apart from other post-apocalyptic ones. First, this one is set several hundred years AFTER the created apocalypse. This setting changes the tone of the book from one of basic survival to one of creating a BETTER world. Second, the stated apocalypse is totally unique from anything else I've ever read, and thus the societies and characters are new and interesting. Third, there aren't really any stereotypes or flat characters like you often see in this genre. As I mentioned, each character shows growth or reveals hidden motives that make them real.
All of these things make for a great book. I highly recommend this book if you enjoy post-apocalyptic stories. Also recommended for adult Christian readers who are looking for something a little different (warning though - there is a little bit of sex and cursing in the book).
mkean's review against another edition
3.0
Hm. A bit mixed on this one. This book is very well written, but I just couldn't get past the science.
Thr plant people... burn in the sun?? They have such great technology and they don't have sunscreen?? Also, plants have UV-receptors that help block the sun, so if Tula's people can replicate chloroplasts, why not those too? I know it was supposed to help generate the "medicine," but really, it seemed dumb that they would be so delicate under the sun. I couldn't stop thinking about it.
The plot in general was just okay. I was really hoping for something more intense, but it turned out to mostly be a romance story. It just wasn't for me.
Thr plant people... burn in the sun?? They have such great technology and they don't have sunscreen?? Also, plants have UV-receptors that help block the sun, so if Tula's people can replicate chloroplasts, why not those too? I know it was supposed to help generate the "medicine," but really, it seemed dumb that they would be so delicate under the sun. I couldn't stop thinking about it.
The plot in general was just okay. I was really hoping for something more intense, but it turned out to mostly be a romance story. It just wasn't for me.
jenbsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I like post-apocalyptic reads ... this was a new approach, not the usual zombies/virus (genetically altered plants take over, wiping out other vegetation. Quote from the book "There are always costs when man alters nature, his own or the world around him").
While the blurb does seem to feature the Cannibals, out of the four groups (Blattvolk/plant people, Old Order and Fosselites are the others) the cannibals are the group, we as the reader, learn about the least.
I downloaded this and started reading without really looking into the book much (I did see mostly positive reviews, which did influence me). The first few pages, I wasn't totally sure ... it was a tad complex. This post-apocalyptic world was just so different. The setting, the names, the language, it was a bit challenging. Not "easy" reading (I'll admit, sometimes I like it to be easy). I had to pay attention. The author actually did a really good job of differentiating the changing setting, listing it as the story would shift perspectives. There was even a glossary in the back (which I might have referenced earlier on if I had been aware of it ... which I would have if I had looked over the table of contents as it was listed there).
I'm not a big fan of the 1st person perspective. This was from a 3rd person POV ... and yet there were still definite shifts in perspective. Which character's mind we were privy too, and it really influenced the voice of the narration as well. Levi was a little stogy, I didn't care for him too much at the start, and he did grate on me a bit throughout.
Some very interesting thoughts on so many topics! I've admittedly never been overly religious, and religion in books can turn me off. Here, there were very religious characters and convictions, but we also saw the conflicts the characters had with those beliefs.
"Perhaps there was no God. God was a creation of man, not the other way around."
"She wished she believed in his God so she could offer the platitudes of his religion."
"As much as she might want to have faith, she'd seen too much of the world to be sure God had a benevolent plan."
"We do not proselytize. To coerce with words promotes a weak and untrue repentance."
Anyway, could make for some interesting discussions (book club?). There were plenty of pro-God statements too. Coming away from the book, I honestly don't know what the author's actual convictions are :)
While I struggled a bit at the start, I was soon quite into the book, always anxious to come back when I had to put it down.
At the end, it included a URL for a "secret page" but when I tried to follow it, I found no secret page. The website did mention a free novella, but when I checked Amazon, there was a fee. I see there is a sequel. This did wrap up enough (almost too cleanly after so much turmoil) that I'm not chomping at the bit to continue on, but I'll keep my eye on it ... if it were to come up as a free offering I'd snag it!
While the blurb does seem to feature the Cannibals, out of the four groups (Blattvolk/plant people, Old Order and Fosselites are the others) the cannibals are the group, we as the reader, learn about the least.
I downloaded this and started reading without really looking into the book much (I did see mostly positive reviews, which did influence me). The first few pages, I wasn't totally sure ... it was a tad complex. This post-apocalyptic world was just so different. The setting, the names, the language, it was a bit challenging. Not "easy" reading (I'll admit, sometimes I like it to be easy). I had to pay attention. The author actually did a really good job of differentiating the changing setting, listing it as the story would shift perspectives. There was even a glossary in the back (which I might have referenced earlier on if I had been aware of it ... which I would have if I had looked over the table of contents as it was listed there).
I'm not a big fan of the 1st person perspective. This was from a 3rd person POV ... and yet there were still definite shifts in perspective. Which character's mind we were privy too, and it really influenced the voice of the narration as well. Levi was a little stogy, I didn't care for him too much at the start, and he did grate on me a bit throughout.
Some very interesting thoughts on so many topics! I've admittedly never been overly religious, and religion in books can turn me off. Here, there were very religious characters and convictions, but we also saw the conflicts the characters had with those beliefs.
"Perhaps there was no God. God was a creation of man, not the other way around."
"She wished she believed in his God so she could offer the platitudes of his religion."
"As much as she might want to have faith, she'd seen too much of the world to be sure God had a benevolent plan."
"We do not proselytize. To coerce with words promotes a weak and untrue repentance."
Anyway, could make for some interesting discussions (book club?). There were plenty of pro-God statements too. Coming away from the book, I honestly don't know what the author's actual convictions are :)
While I struggled a bit at the start, I was soon quite into the book, always anxious to come back when I had to put it down.
At the end, it included a URL for a "secret page" but when I tried to follow it, I found no secret page. The website did mention a free novella, but when I checked Amazon, there was a fee. I see there is a sequel. This did wrap up enough (almost too cleanly after so much turmoil) that I'm not chomping at the bit to continue on, but I'll keep my eye on it ... if it were to come up as a free offering I'd snag it!
lauriereadslohf's review against another edition
4.0
I read Botanicaust in its audiobook version and, to be honest, it took all of my concentration to get into it in the very beginning because the concepts described in this new world were so overwhelming foreign for me. I’m used to the more horrific side of the apocalypse but this one is pretty firmly steeped in the realm of science fiction.
An event coined the “Botanicaust” happened which basically wiped out all edible crops. Yeah. That’s no good. The survivors have morphed into a few different groups of people (all with some major flaws) who must take drastic measures in order to survive. I'm only going to concern myself with two of them (the rest shall be a surprise for you, if you choose to read this series). There are cannibals who hunt and eat people and another group of green plant-like people who use science to “convert” the, eh, shall we say sort of agreeable cannibals into more green people (who no longer need to eat flesh to survive).
Tula is one of the greenies and her job as a psychologist is to convince them to stop eating people “Training the carnivore out of the cannibal was not easy!” and sign the conversion release form in a very short window of time. Without it, they face euthanasia. So pretty much, you agree to go through this incredibly painful transformation or you die. Sucks for you! Tula is compassionate and her job is difficult seeing as there is also a language barrier between herself and her patients and she has a superior who is hell-bent on making her life miserable. Tula’s most recent patient is Levi. Levi is not a cannibal but a man who traveled outside the boundaries of his safe haven to save the life of his dying child. When Levi refuses to sign the release; Tula takes drastic measures, puts her own life in danger and uncovers some disturbingly devious secrets.
I’m not going give away any more of the plot, there’s a lot of it, I'm lazy and you should discover it for yourself. It gets twisty and turny, there is betrayal, a little sex, characters you grow to care about and lots of action. Once I found my footing, I enjoyed the uniqueness of the world and was anxious to see how it would all come to a close considering it’s part one of a series. Fortunately, for me, it managed to leave room open for sequels but didn’t end on a huge, annoying cliff-hanger that left my head exploding in frustration.
If you like audios, this one has a quiet, pleasant voiced narrator who doesn’t over-act or simply “read” the text and she does a great job with all of the varied characters.
*I received a copy of this audiobook from the author. Hope she doesn't regret it!
An event coined the “Botanicaust” happened which basically wiped out all edible crops. Yeah. That’s no good. The survivors have morphed into a few different groups of people (all with some major flaws) who must take drastic measures in order to survive. I'm only going to concern myself with two of them (the rest shall be a surprise for you, if you choose to read this series). There are cannibals who hunt and eat people and another group of green plant-like people who use science to “convert” the, eh, shall we say sort of agreeable cannibals into more green people (who no longer need to eat flesh to survive).
Tula is one of the greenies and her job as a psychologist is to convince them to stop eating people “Training the carnivore out of the cannibal was not easy!” and sign the conversion release form in a very short window of time. Without it, they face euthanasia. So pretty much, you agree to go through this incredibly painful transformation or you die. Sucks for you! Tula is compassionate and her job is difficult seeing as there is also a language barrier between herself and her patients and she has a superior who is hell-bent on making her life miserable. Tula’s most recent patient is Levi. Levi is not a cannibal but a man who traveled outside the boundaries of his safe haven to save the life of his dying child. When Levi refuses to sign the release; Tula takes drastic measures, puts her own life in danger and uncovers some disturbingly devious secrets.
I’m not going give away any more of the plot, there’s a lot of it, I'm lazy and you should discover it for yourself. It gets twisty and turny, there is betrayal, a little sex, characters you grow to care about and lots of action. Once I found my footing, I enjoyed the uniqueness of the world and was anxious to see how it would all come to a close considering it’s part one of a series. Fortunately, for me, it managed to leave room open for sequels but didn’t end on a huge, annoying cliff-hanger that left my head exploding in frustration.
If you like audios, this one has a quiet, pleasant voiced narrator who doesn’t over-act or simply “read” the text and she does a great job with all of the varied characters.
*I received a copy of this audiobook from the author. Hope she doesn't regret it!
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