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kumquats87's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Gore, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Violence, Police brutality, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Outing, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Addiction, Cancer, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Transphobia, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Gaslighting, and War
shazzy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book has wild and unique ideas that make for a great fantasy tale but I was confused during the entire read. I am not sure if I was so lost in the imagery that I missed details but scenes jumped from one thing to another in a way that made the story hard to follow.
For instance... the main character suddenly is firing a gun. Where did it come from? Couldn't tell you. It was just little details like that where you're reading and suddenly you screech to a halt and re-read the last few paragraphs to try and figure out how the characters got to point B when there wasn't a mention of point A. In order to make it to the end, you need to be ready to just accept what you're reading and move on without being too distracted by the writing style.
Also, queer representation is a plus. But, I thought the explanation of discrimination against queer folks was boring. We're all familiar with religious groups bashing gays for living in sin. I hoped with how wildly imaginative this story is that there would be a more exciting tale. Maybe the author can expand more into their ideas about that in the next books which I will read because I do like the characters and the plot.
For instance... the main character suddenly is firing a gun. Where did it come from? Couldn't tell you. It was just little details like that where you're reading and suddenly you screech to a halt and re-read the last few paragraphs to try and figure out how the characters got to point B when there wasn't a mention of point A. In order to make it to the end, you need to be ready to just accept what you're reading and move on without being too distracted by the writing style.
Also, queer representation is a plus. But, I thought the explanation of discrimination against queer folks was boring. We're all familiar with religious groups bashing gays for living in sin. I hoped with how wildly imaginative this story is that there would be a more exciting tale. Maybe the author can expand more into their ideas about that in the next books which I will read because I do like the characters and the plot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Gun violence and Homophobia
jazhandz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Homophobia, and Police brutality
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Gun violence, and Sexual content
Medical experimentation - there’s discussion of willing/intentional body modification and of medical experiments as punishment.rorikae's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-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
4.75
'The Dawnhounds' by Sascha Stronach is a creative fantasy with unique worldbuilding and a cast of complex characters.
The story centers on Yat Jyn-Hok, a cop who lives in a city where plant power has taken over a once industrialized city. When she happens upon a murder, the perpetrators kill her as well. But Yat wakes up with a newfound ability to sense the threads of life that make up every living being that surrounds her. As Yat searches for an explanation for what happened to her and why she didn't die, she starts to uncover a plot to transform the city she loves, including everyone in it.
Stronach creates a unique world in The Dawnhounds and then lets us as the reader uncover all of its different aspects slowly throughout the story. There is biotech, living houses, pirate ships that can be transported across long distances in mere moments, and ammunition imbued with living, hungry grubs. Stronach explores both the beauty and the potential terror of biotech throughout the work. Along with the world, the characters are the other strong point in this novel. My favorite character is a pirate captain who can harness the threads of life and may be far older than anyone could guess. The characters weave into the worldbuilding in really interesting ways that helps to make them feel important and also help us to discover more about the world Stronach has created. I am looking forward to where this story goes next and cannot wait to pick up the next book.
The story centers on Yat Jyn-Hok, a cop who lives in a city where plant power has taken over a once industrialized city. When she happens upon a murder, the perpetrators kill her as well. But Yat wakes up with a newfound ability to sense the threads of life that make up every living being that surrounds her. As Yat searches for an explanation for what happened to her and why she didn't die, she starts to uncover a plot to transform the city she loves, including everyone in it.
Stronach creates a unique world in The Dawnhounds and then lets us as the reader uncover all of its different aspects slowly throughout the story. There is biotech, living houses, pirate ships that can be transported across long distances in mere moments, and ammunition imbued with living, hungry grubs. Stronach explores both the beauty and the potential terror of biotech throughout the work. Along with the world, the characters are the other strong point in this novel. My favorite character is a pirate captain who can harness the threads of life and may be far older than anyone could guess. The characters weave into the worldbuilding in really interesting ways that helps to make them feel important and also help us to discover more about the world Stronach has created. I am looking forward to where this story goes next and cannot wait to pick up the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Death, Gun violence, Homophobia, Violence, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Death of parent
anxiousnachos's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
4.0
This was a very cool and weird sapphic Māori cyberpunk fungal horror and if that doesn’t hit literally every spot I need, I don’t know what will. The world is *spectacular*. It completely satisfied the cyberpunk craving I’ve had since obsessing over Cyberpunk 2077 earlier this year. It has that combination of future tech but eery, creepy vibe full of capitalist immorality that just creates the perfect cyberpunk world. I mean, people live in mushroom houses that feed on their dead skin and sweat but if it goes wrong they try to eat them?! Are you kidding me?! How fucking amazing. Is it so weird at times I’m still not sure what happened? Possibly. But it’s in the same way Tamsyn Muir writes and means I think a lot of things will get further explained (and more mysteries added…) in sequels, which I can’t wait to read.
Content warnings: graphic depictions of body horror, violence, blood and gore, homophobia, ableism, suicide, animal death, death, gun violence, addiction, self harm, war
Content warnings: graphic depictions of body horror, violence, blood and gore, homophobia, ableism, suicide, animal death, death, gun violence, addiction, self harm, war
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and War
laurareads87's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Maybe 3.5 stars for me, but I'm rounding up because Sascha Stronach has written a great bisexual woman protagonist and cast of diverse characters that I really appreciate.
I feel complicatedly about this one. I liked quite a bit about it: original world-building, well-executed weird, and really thoughtful representation. The system of... magic? science? is interesting and the action scenes are well written. What didn't work for me at all was the pacing -- sometimes scenes felt like they were drawn out longer than they needed to be, while at other times there seemed to be significant jumps that left me wondering if I'd perhaps missed something. All in all: reads like a debut, but a promising one; I'll read the sequel.
I feel complicatedly about this one. I liked quite a bit about it: original world-building, well-executed weird, and really thoughtful representation. The system of... magic? science? is interesting and the action scenes are well written. What didn't work for me at all was the pacing -- sometimes scenes felt like they were drawn out longer than they needed to be, while at other times there seemed to be significant jumps that left me wondering if I'd perhaps missed something. All in all: reads like a debut, but a promising one; I'll read the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Body horror, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, and War
Moderate: Addiction and Suicide
caseythereader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Thanks to Saga Press for the free copy of this book.
- I’m not sure I actually know what to make of THE DAWNHOUNDS. It was wildly creative and inventive, filled with compelling characters, action packed, and often confusing as heck.
- I think the author leaned a little too hard into the “drop readers in without explaining the world and they’ll figure it out” school of sci-fi. Eventually I think I got a handle on it, but a lot of it still felt under-explained, especially the mythology of the gods.
- However, I really loved the writing and found it so compelling. I do think I’ll pick up the next in the series when it arrives, because although this book had some issues, I think Stronach is an author to watch.
- I’m not sure I actually know what to make of THE DAWNHOUNDS. It was wildly creative and inventive, filled with compelling characters, action packed, and often confusing as heck.
- I think the author leaned a little too hard into the “drop readers in without explaining the world and they’ll figure it out” school of sci-fi. Eventually I think I got a handle on it, but a lot of it still felt under-explained, especially the mythology of the gods.
- However, I really loved the writing and found it so compelling. I do think I’ll pick up the next in the series when it arrives, because although this book had some issues, I think Stronach is an author to watch.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Self harm, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Ableism
jourdanicus's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
fast-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? No
I was so excited to read this book when I found it on NetGalley (where I read a free advanced copy) based on the cover and blurbs alone. "Fiercely queer?" Yes, please. A city built from mushrooms and other organic structures? Tell me more.
Immediately I was drawn in by the action. This plot moves quickly, and much of it is not explained right away. I am typically a character-driven reader so I really had to pay attention to keep up. The language in this book is so absorbing - almost poetic - that I decided it didn't matter and I had to keep going. Unlike in the character-focused novels to which I am accustomed, I didn't find myself getting to know Yat and Sen as much as following them along as Things Happened. And boy, did a lot of Things Happen!
The world in which Hainak exists is totally different from our own, but unfortunately with all too familiar social and political issues. Though not the best read if you're looking for escapism, this book is perfect for anyone who fantasizes about kicking homophobic butt with plant magic.
This story requires one to bring one's imagination. I experience some amount of aphantasia, so I felt I was missing out on imagining the world as vividly as the author intended (this probably won't be the case for most other readers). The world is totally original and creatively constructed. The story was told lyrically, almost rhythmically, with a writing style that will require forgiveness from more readers more strict about grammar.
I don't want to say too much more about this book. I went in knowing nothing other than the jacket summary. I recommend this for readers who enjoy setting- or language-focused books, and for anyone who requires excellent LGBTQ+ characters in their stories.
Immediately I was drawn in by the action. This plot moves quickly, and much of it is not explained right away. I am typically a character-driven reader so I really had to pay attention to keep up. The language in this book is so absorbing - almost poetic - that I decided it didn't matter and I had to keep going. Unlike in the character-focused novels to which I am accustomed, I didn't find myself getting to know Yat and Sen as much as following them along as Things Happened. And boy, did a lot of Things Happen!
The world in which Hainak exists is totally different from our own, but unfortunately with all too familiar social and political issues. Though not the best read if you're looking for escapism, this book is perfect for anyone who fantasizes about kicking homophobic butt with plant magic.
This story requires one to bring one's imagination. I experience some amount of aphantasia, so I felt I was missing out on imagining the world as vividly as the author intended (this probably won't be the case for most other readers). The world is totally original and creatively constructed. The story was told lyrically, almost rhythmically, with a writing style that will require forgiveness from more readers more strict about grammar.
I don't want to say too much more about this book. I went in knowing nothing other than the jacket summary. I recommend this for readers who enjoy setting- or language-focused books, and for anyone who requires excellent LGBTQ+ characters in their stories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Death, Gore, and Death of parent
Minor: Cursing, Drug use, Gun violence, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Transphobia