Reviews and Comments

I found the writing…fine, the worldbuilding unsatisfying (none of these kids ever picked up a newspaper?), and the plot slightly contrived. A good book! and still very touching! but one that I had expected more from based on everything I’d heard about it

I’ve heard people call Ruthanna Emrys is an inheritor of Le Guin’s legacy, but Octavia Butler is all over this book; a kinder future than Parable of the Sower, with (usually) kinder aliens than Xenogenesis. Speaks to my anarchist heartstrings. Only 4/5 and not 5 because I found the corporate society immersion-breaking-ly gimmicky, but besides that a beautiful, rich, hopeful picture of the future.

DNF; a book that really wants to be an ideas book but can’t stick the landing

tbh probably wouldn't normally be my cup of tea, but I'm reading along with the Shelved by Genre podcast

Beautiful and hopeful; distant yet familiar (both for better or worse). Exceptionally structured and framed - one of those books where every twist is unexpected yet obvious in hindsight. On top of that, beautiful and true worldbuilding, with rich, earthy prose. Good for when the weather is turning; like warm, hearty soup.

together w the Shelved By Genre podcast/bookclub

דאָס ערשטן בוך װאָס איך װיל לײנען אַף ייִדיש איז, אַװדאי, דאָס קװירסטע

a fun read with beautiful, full worldbuilding and compelling politicking, and plenty of space opera to keep you from putting it down. for me, I didn't find it very striking as a plot or character book, though there's plenty of both, and didn't get much out of it as an ideas book (compared to other SF I've read that plays with self, empire, and language) that said, I do love books that know how to interact with language! linguist-me was left satisfied!