You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
bookcaptivated's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Child death, Blood, Murder, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Misogyny
laurareads87's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I've had Escaping Exodus on my 'to read' list for quite a while, so I was thrilled when it was chosen for the #Blackathon2022 readathon's Team SFF group book!
The story follows two alternating POV characters: Seske, who is of the most privileged social class and next in line to inherit the throne, and Adalla, her friend and romantic interest who is a member of the lower beast-worker class (a skilled manual labourer). Their society has caught yet another of the space-dwelling creatures who they've learned to live inside of, and are in the process of extensively altering the insides of the creature and setting up their home (which they must do every so many years because, unsurprisingly, these animals don't live forever when they have thousands of humans inside). Of course, many things go wrong. The story is, at its heart, an exploration of rigidly unequal power relationships (of class as well as gender), extreme reproductive inequalities and restrictions (articulating important critiques of so-called 'population control'), and the possibilities of building meaningful relationships across difference. While I was several times very frustrated while reading by what to me was almost totally unbelievable naïveté on Seska's part -- like, how is it that you're just learning very basic information about how your society functions? -- I also feel like this is a valuable reflection of how privilege makes so many realities of a society harder to see + one must do the work of (un)learning to understand the injustices that one benefits from that are naturalized within a society. I'm looking forward to reading more from Nicky Drayden, including the sequel!
The story follows two alternating POV characters: Seske, who is of the most privileged social class and next in line to inherit the throne, and Adalla, her friend and romantic interest who is a member of the lower beast-worker class (a skilled manual labourer). Their society has caught yet another of the space-dwelling creatures who they've learned to live inside of, and are in the process of extensively altering the insides of the creature and setting up their home (which they must do every so many years because, unsurprisingly, these animals don't live forever when they have thousands of humans inside). Of course, many things go wrong. The story is, at its heart, an exploration of rigidly unequal power relationships (of class as well as gender), extreme reproductive inequalities and restrictions (articulating important critiques of so-called 'population control'), and the possibilities of building meaningful relationships across difference. While I was several times very frustrated while reading by what to me was almost totally unbelievable naïveté on Seska's part -- like, how is it that you're just learning very basic information about how your society functions? -- I also feel like this is a valuable reflection of how privilege makes so many realities of a society harder to see + one must do the work of (un)learning to understand the injustices that one benefits from that are naturalized within a society. I'm looking forward to reading more from Nicky Drayden, including the sequel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Drug abuse, Gore, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Racism
ehmannky's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
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? Yes
3.75
IIt's a fun, past-paced read that delves into repairing harm (if possible), the cost of justice, class divides and gender. The whole, reverse-sexism was an interesting take on the society as a whole, but I found the alternative family structure of 9 parents for every one child the most interesting world-building aspect (even if I'm still a little fuzzy on every parents' exact role in the family structure). Even the living-fish ship wasn't as interesting as all of that. I feel like the pacing at the end doesn't quite match the speed of the rest of the book, and it sort of feels like So Much happens So Fast and there's not a lot of time to process anything (an epilogue would have fit great here). Also, I felt that many of the secondary characters fell a little flat to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
Moderate: Body horror, Death, and Sexism
The body horror in this book includesthe_mushroom's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Sexism and Sexual harassment
sweetpotatofries's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror
Minor: Sexism
amandaquotidianbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
This was very off putting at first with the intense descriptions of living inside an animal and interacting with its body systems. But the intricate, robust world building and engaging characters fascinated me! By the halfway point, I was completely invested in the story!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Body horror
Minor: Sexism and Vomit
zombiezami's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book was fascinating. I love the way that it unfolded. The worldbuilding was imaginative and engaging. My only complaint is that there were some moments where the author did more telling than showing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Gore, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Child death, Chronic illness, Drug use, Genocide, Sexual content, Slavery, Terminal illness, Vomit, and Death of parent
Minor: Racial slurs, Racism, and Sexism
ohlhauc's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Vivid, imaginative world building that made it easy to imagine yourself within the body of the Zenzee/beast the society was living in (note: If you dislike graphic depictions of bodily functions and organs, this is not for you). The development of the physical environment was hands-down the best part. Unfortunately, we didn't get as much detail on the social structure and culture of the society itself, and I would have liked more discussion of this to better understand the actions of several plot points.
The character development was hit or miss for me. I adored the characters of Adalla and Laisze, and felt their growth, motivations, and reactions were clear and well done. They were also two of the only characters who seemed to think ofother characters whereas the others were more selfish, which made the others hard to root for. The other characters were either highly unlikable or underdeveloped.
Another thing that didn't work for me is that it felt some scenes were rushed over, especially the plot which went by so quick. I would've liked to see a slower pace and more detail into the psychologies of the characters so it felt like what was happening had more consequences and impact.
The character development was hit or miss for me. I adored the characters of Adalla and Laisze, and felt their growth, motivations, and reactions were clear and well done. They were also two of the only characters who seemed to think of
Another thing that didn't work for me is that it felt some scenes were rushed over, especially the plot which went by so quick. I would've liked to see a slower pace and more detail into the psychologies of the characters so it felt like what was happening had more consequences and impact.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexism, Slavery, Blood, and Murder
catsy2022's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Rating: B+
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Genocide
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Drug use, Sexism, Violence, and Vomit
Minor: Miscarriage and Sexual assault
ege's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
If you have a fear of pregnancy, maybe sit this one out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Sexism