Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Ascension by Jacqueline Koyanagi

6 reviews

tessisreading2's review

adventurous challenging emotional fast-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

An interesting, gripping science fiction read with an emphasis on found family and a through-line of WLW romance... and then it all got weird. The science fiction plot ended with a deus ex machina (after getting bizarre with some weirdness that was not foreshadowed at all), and the romance was hard to root for given that

one MC was in a polyamorous relationship but initiated a romantic relationship with the other MC without telling her as much; while the other MC knew that the first might be in some sort of relationship with someone else but didn't ask questions because she was so infatuated

. That doesn't describe the start of a healthy relationship to me. 

That said, the book is so unusual in the genre/subgenre; I wish there were more like this, that paired challenging science fiction with a romantic through-line and really worked at their characterizations.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Sexual content, Chronic illness, and Eating disorder

Moderate: Death of parent and Death

Minor: Violence

bookbrig's review

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

I really enjoyed this story, and I really loved the writing which was evocative and beautiful. It's a great found family spaceship adventure, and I think it would work really well for fans of Becky Chambers, Firefly, or Valerie Valdes. My only small issue with the story is that I think it un-spooled a bit faster than I wanted it too. I would have liked to linger on some of the rising action more.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Eating disorder, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence

kj468's review against another edition

adventurous challenging tense fast-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? It's complicated

4.5

I really enjoyed this book! It's a very creative space opera with excellent world-building, strong characters, and interesting political dynamics. This book was a bit outside of my comfort zone (I don't typically read science fiction or space operas), but overall found the world to be accessible and understandable. The character relationships are all strong and go through significant growth throughout the book; it's a great mix of character and plot development. I only docked half a point because I was confused about a few things during the ending, which honestly could have been a me problem and not a book problem. I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for an action-packed book with great characters (that also tackles some politics!).

Queer representation: Lesbian MC, background sapphic relationship, primary sapphic relationship, primary poly relationship, background bi-female/male relationship. 
Also notable: the MC has a fictional chronic illness that is akin to an autoimmune, chronic pain disorder. Her struggle with this illness is present throughout the book and her physical pain is frequently described. The author does so with care. As a person who does not have a chronic pain illness, I thought it was good representation.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness

Moderate: Violence and Eating disorder

eating disorder explanation:

the main character's sister is a "spiritual guide"; as such, her goal is to become as thin as possible to "transcend". there is a fairly explicit discussion of her sister not eating and attempting to "become so small she disappears". while the discussion is explicit, it does not take up huge portions of the book.

switchywitchsitch's review

adventurous hopeful inspiring 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? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Chronic illness, Death, Eating disorder, Colonisation, Classism, Death of parent, and Grief

Moderate: Terminal illness, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Genocide, Kidnapping, and Violence

podanotherjessi's review

adventurous 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

4.25

This was such a complicated, delightful novel. The synopsis makes it sound like a lighthearted romp, but this is deep and complex. It explores complex family dynamics, difficulties in navagating relationships, and alternate realities. Just so much going on, and all of it so wonderful.
I would really recommend this for fans of Becky Chambers's Wayfarers series. It has a similar feel, but it's much more focused and grittier.

Characters: 8
Plot: 9
Setting: 10
General appeal: 9
Writing style: 7
Originality: 8
Ending: 8

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness and Eating disorder

Moderate: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence

caseythereader's review

adventurous emotional funny tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death, Death of parent, Eating disorder, Genocide, Grief, Gun violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, Sexual content, Violence, and Ableism