So, I don't really need to do a book review on this do I?
Published in 2015, this is a Hugo award winner, and is very well known.
I have kind of been skirting around it. In part because it has a HUGE wait list at the library and in part, I think because I was afraid I might not love it.
I LOVED IT.
Image from: https://www.facebook.com/groups/freeprintablesdesigns/posts/1637550117243782/
I did initially text my book buddy saying "I do not think I am smart enough for this book." So it was a love that grew on me as I continued to read. I had it on audio and fortunately for me and it, I was on a piece of exercise equipment and didn't have a hand available to stop it so I listened to a good part of it and it began to reveal itself so I was indeed able to find my footing.
This novel did demand a lot more of me than other books I've read, and as such, I pretty much stopped reading anything else, and concentrated all of my book time on this until I finished it. There were details upon details of world building, character building and plot points to ponder. I was grateful for the audiobook given some unfamiliar names and place names- I did not have to make up any pronunciation.
As a "no spoiler summary" We follow several persons who are born as "Orogene's"- people who can manipulate earth energy who are both feared and at the same time, valued by society. Society is arranged with a goal of surviving frequent environmental disasters, and people are sorted into Use groups which seem to become their identity. As the plot develops these persons move toward a new environmental disaster, each with their own memories, abilities and motivations. Readers are definitely left with a cliffhanger leading into the next book, so I can say this one definitely leaves a reader feeling a bit "unresolved"
I really loved that the plot really had some gentle surprises and some other "oh wow" moments all through the novel. I was never bored and the pacing was really spot on. Coming off reading Clay Cane's Burn Down Master's House, I was quite attuned to the references to slavery in the Americas and was able to appreciate that I was able to see those and connect with them through the novel. Combined with an awareness of climate changes over time, this one packed a significant reading punch.
I can say after avoiding this for several years, I wish I'd read it earlier, so if you are on the fence, go ahead and pick this one up.
First Published : 2015
Pages: 512
Available as an Audio Book : Yes ~ 15 hrs
Trigger Warnings: racism, classism, domestic violence/abuse, medical issues, body horror, slavery, climate issues,
(this is not a full list, read responsibly)
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