Ethan Poole

I first read this book in high school, and I decided to reread it as an adult. I enjoyed the book and found it interesting, but I don't have anything original or interesting to add the discourse about this book.

The writing was just really bad.

One of my favorite books as a kid, so there is a nostalgia factor for me.

Interesting world building, but that's about it. The plot was boring—completely unlike Weir's other two books. I appreciate diverse characters, but they need to feel “real” and genuine, and the protagonist in this novel did not.

I'm glad that I finally picked up this last “official” Butler novel (“official” meaning excluding Survivor). I kept putting it off because I'm not into vampires. Butler though delivers an interesting and unique take on the subgenre. Typical Butlerian themes: maternalism, race, survival.

I nearly DNFed at 20%. I like the drama between the characters, but almost nothing happened plot-wise.

Outside my academic work, I almost never read nonfiction, so I'm pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. The essays were interesting and funny. I enjoy DFW's writing style—it's unlike anything else. “Authority and American Usage” was my favorite of the essays, despite categorically disagreeing with some of the arguments re linguistics. Both “Up, Simba” and “Host”, which concern American politics in the early 2000s, are—unfortunately—eerily prophetic.

More a concept book than a character book. I enjoyed the concepts and the writing, but I found it hard to connect with the book because what few characters there were were also quite dull and lifeless—basically names.

Nothing to write home about.

The ending did justice to the series. I will miss these characters!

I appreciate the concept of this book, but I personally need more plot.

Overall, a great collection of short stories. As a linguist, I was hesitant to read “Story of Your Life”, because many (most?) scifi authors grossly misinterpret linguistics. But, I really enjoyed that story—easily 5/5. It is Sapir-Whorf (ugh), but in an interesting and (crucially) non-racist way, and coupled with ideas (probably not the right word) from physics; it was an interesting combination. I also really enjoyed “Hell is the Absence of God” and “Seventy Two Letters”.

I couldn't put it down. A classic coming-of-age story, done really well. I love-hated the two protagonists. As an avid video-game player, the setting resonated with me and was fun. (The descriptions of LA are spot-on too, lol.)

A really fun read.

A heartwarming Bildungsroman. I enjoyed it way more than I expected to.

All of the stories were good, but the first two were fantastic.

Cozy

A fun read.

Avasarala is the best!

I get what Tiptree/Bradley was trying to do, but it doesn't age well.

Great plot. I found myself making time to listen because I wanted to know what happens next. I wish there were more POV characters though. I was looking forward to Avasarala (who I remember from the first season of the TV show), but she hasn't made an appearance yet! The juxtaposition between Holden and Miller was a bit too on the nose at times.

The writing just isn't good.

Phenomenal book! Kuang really knows how to write a page-turner. And what an ending! The themes of language and academia are all in my wheelhouse. The characters were a little one-dimensional, but it worked for the story being told. The overarching message (as I see it) about the connection between academia and colonialism is an important one. (As an academic linguist, I know a lot of Lettys...) Also, I appreciate such a solid standalone fantasy novel.

I get why it's a classic though.

Very thought-provoking and engaging in a way that no other book I've read is. It took me awhile to read it because the prose is complicated and requires undivided attention (a meta-theme of the book). After finishing, I did go back and reread the first chapter (as many blog posts suggested), which really cemented my desire to reread the whole thing (the narrative is chronologically out of order)—but maybe in a year or two. Overall, I'm really, really glad that I finally tackled this book!