I read Parable of the Sower with my book club last year, and while I rated it five stars and immediately knew I would read the sequel, I also knew I nI read Parable of the Sower with my book club last year, and while I rated it five stars and immediately knew I would read the sequel, I also knew I needed a period of at least six business months to mentally and emotionally prepare myself for it.
Finally, the day came, and I girded my loins and dove in - and my god, was Butler an absolute one-of-a-kind writing talent lost too soon.
Parable of the Talents proves to be as challenging a read as its predecessor, yet just as impactful, delving into themes of societal collapse, survival, and religious oppression.
As the narrative unfurls, it grows increasingly distressing, particularly due to its portrayal of religious extremism and the hypocrisy of those committing atrocities in the name of god. Despite the discomfort it evokes, this series is so profoundly relevant to our time and the societal issues we are currently facing and attempting to combat. This is a thoroughly thought-provoking duology, and I only wish that those who desperately need its message would be open to reading it.
Despite the heartbreaking events throughout the novel, I came away from this instalment surprisingly hopeful. Parable of the Talents is a brilliantly crafted novel deserving of high praise, and I only wish Butler was still with us to share her wisdom and foresight when we need it most.
Watch me read and review Parable of the Talents on my YouTube channel (including a spoiler section): https://youtu.be/p05Qpz3oa48
Representation: characters are racially diverse, and all POV characters are Black. There are also sapphic relationships, though specific identities are not on the page.
Trigger/Content Warnings: slavery, child abuse, sex trafficking, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, child prostitution, child murder, pedophilia, murder, violence, suicidal ideation and suicide, death, child death, loss of parents, loss of a sibling, partner loss, loss of children/infants, pregnancy (including unwanted pregnancies as a result of sexual assault), miscarriage, fire death, kidnapping, police brutality, religious persecution, religious bigotry, homophobia, child labour, climate change
Well, folks, Samantha Shannon has done it again! A Day of Fallen Night is a deeply immersive reading experience, enhanced in every way by Shannon's lyWell, folks, Samantha Shannon has done it again! A Day of Fallen Night is a deeply immersive reading experience, enhanced in every way by Shannon's lyrical prose. The intricately developed world-building I came to expect after devouring Priory of the Orange Tree managed to evolve to a brand new level here - delving deep into the various countries, political systems, societal norms, religions, folktales, styles of dress, gender roles, and so much more and adding many much-appreciated layers of complexity to the narrative. Shannon *knows* this world inside and out, and I love that she shared so much of it with her readers because it is endlessly fascinating!
Multiple point-of-view characters offer diverse perspectives, and while each and every one was compelling in their own way, Tunuva and Wulf stood out as particularly intriguing. Tunuva, in particular, was a lovely change of pace from most fantasy protagonists - a middle-aged lesbian warrior in a 30-plus-year relationship who was as kind and maternal as she was utterly badass. I loved her chapters most of all and found the emotional beats of her story by far the most moving.
I also absolutely adored the varied LGBTQIA+ representation amongst the protagonists and many secondary characters, from lesbian to bisexual to asexual, trans, nonbinary, and more - the inclusion and thoughtful representation of these identities was a breath of fresh air. Shannon managed to portray a world that feels open, accepting, and inclusive despite some remaining heteronormativity that is tied to the exploration of hereditary monarchy, which was only one facet of one of my favourite aspects of this book-exploring different possible iterations of matriarchal societies.
Grief was a prominent theme, as well, and I found catharsis in those moments as I worked through my own grief after the passing of a family member that coincided with my reading of this book. The exploration of loss offered a poignant counterbalance to the intricate plot and character dynamics, and despite its length, this book served as both a distraction and a source of comfort during challenging times.
Exploring themes like enduring love, internal strength, women's place in society, bodily autonomy, motherhood, grief, and more, A Day of Fallen Night thoroughly exceeded my sky-high expectations. I cannot recommend this book more to fans of epic fantasy, complex characters, and beautifully constructed worlds, and I can't wait to read anything and everything Shannon writes next!
Representation: Several MLM & WLW relationships, POV characters are asexual, lesbian, and bisexual, respectively, nonbinary & trans secondary characters
Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, violence, war, blood, gore, death, loss of parents, loss of an infant, animal death & cruelty, suicidal ideation, grief, slavery, kidnapping, pandemic, misogyny
Ocean's Echo is an absolutely delightful continuation of the technologically advanced world established in Winter's Orbit, and while initially I was vOcean's Echo is an absolutely delightful continuation of the technologically advanced world established in Winter's Orbit, and while initially I was very disappointed not to see Kiem and Jainan return, I quickly grew to love Tennal and Surit just as much (if not more!) Their dynamic as a chaotic extrovert and a serious rule-follower was hilarious, and their *very* slow-burn romance was sweet and full of genuine vulnerability.
While Maxwell's writing style lacks the lyrical prose I typically prefer, moments of beautiful description were scattered throughout the book. The world-building and political intricacies kept me engaged, providing a rich backdrop for the development of the characters and their relationships.
This is a lighter sci-fi series that focuses primarily on character relationships rather than the broader political and societal themes it touches upon. While these themes (such as the exploitation of soldiers in the military) are present, they serve as a side dish to the undeniable main course: the profound connection between Tennal and Surit, which serves as the heart of the story.
I sincerely appreciate that their relationship feels authentic and is built on trust, friendship, and respect. They are both beautifully developed characters on their own, with many flaws and foibles, but their coming together as a team, first platonically and then romantically, was the piece de resistance.
I loved the expansion upon the concepts of Architects and Readers, as well as the exploration of the source of artifacts, and continue to adore the normalization of LGBTQIA+ identities within this series' world. If only our own society could be so inclusive and accepting!
From its engaging characters to its intriguing plot and meaningful representation of diverse identities, Ocean's Echo blew me away and left me kicking my feet with giddiness. I would highly recommend both books in the series!
Representation: MLM romance between the protagonists, nonbinary side character, one of the protagonists struggles with depression (or something similar)
Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of parents, medical experimentation, attempted murder, conscription