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veggiestrawenjoyer13's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
The concept of the book is really interesting, I was excited to read it. It had decent reviews, too. However, it fell short big time.
The beginning, and really most of the book, is extremely slow. This isn’t always a bad time, but it felt like nothing happened until the last quarter of the book. Once I hit the point where Yat died (the big plot moment), it got better. The middle made more sense, despite how slow it was. I never felt attached to the characters, I had absolutely no emotional connected. This really stunted it for me, because I couldn’t care less about what happens to them.
The writing is very good at some points, but is mostly confusing. This book could really use a map of the world and a glossary of terms/places. I had no idea what was going on most of the time, and not because of the New Zealand dialect. I simply could not grasp the importance of any places or organizations.
The biggest problem I had with the book was that the plot progressed so sporadically. The last quarter of the book springs so much lore and answers on the reader that it’s difficult to pick up. Also, it felt like it came out of nowhere. This story could have worked well with informations sprinkled throughout, but that didn’t happen.
I pretty much only finished the book so I could read something else. I enjoyed the plot twist at the end and it was extremely surprising, but that doesn’t make the book good. I’m happy for those who enjoyed it, but this wasn’t for me. I won’t be reading the second book, unfortunately.
The beginning, and really most of the book, is extremely slow. This isn’t always a bad time, but it felt like nothing happened until the last quarter of the book. Once I hit the point where Yat died (the big plot moment), it got better. The middle made more sense, despite how slow it was. I never felt attached to the characters, I had absolutely no emotional connected. This really stunted it for me, because I couldn’t care less about what happens to them.
The writing is very good at some points, but is mostly confusing. This book could really use a map of the world and a glossary of terms/places. I had no idea what was going on most of the time, and not because of the New Zealand dialect. I simply could not grasp the importance of any places or organizations.
The biggest problem I had with the book was that the plot progressed so sporadically. The last quarter of the book springs so much lore and answers on the reader that it’s difficult to pick up. Also, it felt like it came out of nowhere. This story could have worked well with informations sprinkled throughout, but that didn’t happen.
I pretty much only finished the book so I could read something else. I enjoyed the plot twist at the end and it was extremely surprising, but that doesn’t make the book good. I’m happy for those who enjoyed it, but this wasn’t for me. I won’t be reading the second book, unfortunately.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, Blood, Religious bigotry, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug use, Violence, and Death of parent
wordsareworlds's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
5.0
I absolutely adored this book from start to finish. The worldbuilding was exquisite, the characters were super well crafted, and the writing had me hooked. Even when I wasn't sure what was going on (and there were several times), I rolled with it because I knew the payoff would be worth it, and it was.
The politics were there but pretty light-handed, the book focuses more on what we see through our PoV characters and how their understanding of the world, which changes as they learn through the course of the plot. I adored Yat, for all her flaws, and loved how her anxiety was portrayed throughout the book. Her powers are not a magic cure for it, but she does gain tools to manage and use it, and it was a perspective I appreciated a lot.
The ending was satisfying while also leaving a major AHHHHH moment for the last few pages that makes me want the next book RIGHT NOW. I can't wait to see the ripple effects of what happened in this book play out, and see more of all these characters.
Highly recommend for anyone looking for a queer, action-heavy, weird as hell bio-punk story that knows exactly how to draw you in and make you want more RIGHT NOW.
The politics were there but pretty light-handed, the book focuses more on what we see through our PoV characters and how their understanding of the world, which changes as they learn through the course of the plot. I adored Yat, for all her flaws, and loved how her anxiety was portrayed throughout the book. Her powers are not a magic cure for it, but she does gain tools to manage and use it, and it was a perspective I appreciated a lot.
The ending was satisfying while also leaving a major AHHHHH moment for the last few pages that makes me want the next book RIGHT NOW. I can't wait to see the ripple effects of what happened in this book play out, and see more of all these characters.
Highly recommend for anyone looking for a queer, action-heavy, weird as hell bio-punk story that knows exactly how to draw you in and make you want more RIGHT NOW.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Body horror, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Police brutality, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Lesbophobia, War, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Ableism, Drug use, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
sophiesmallhands's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Police brutality, and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Blood, Vomit, Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, and Classism
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Outing, Alcohol, and War
bibliomania_express's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Dawnhounds by Sascha Stronach mixes fantasy, murder, political intrigue, and mythology to create a unique world.
This book sucked me in, confused me, intrigued me, and made me keep reading. Yat is a bisexual constable living in a world where any queerness is punished. She is demoted and drugging herself to dull the pain and protect herself from her own memories. Then she ends up stumbling upon a sinister plot, murdered, resurrected by a god, and given new powers to see and interact with life threads. But there's still that sinister, government corrupting, spore-wielding plot to stop, so she doesn't have much time to figure anything out.
At times I found myself confused by exactly what was happening. The narration became purposefully disjointed, with snippets of dialogue breaking in. This was something Yat was experiencing, but since it was so hard to know what was happening, it pulled me out of the story.
I did like that the narrative moved betwern Yat and Sen, with a bit from Ajet and Sibbi to give some of the broader scope. There are also some direct-to-reader style chapters from one of the gods, which were intriguing but also mystifying. This book explores systems of power, corruption, sexism, homophobia, religious zealotry, police brutality, poverty, and what it means to be a hero. It's not subtle about its themes, but it weaves them together well.
I do wish there had been a bit more of Yat and Sen working together, and a bit more of the worldbuilding, especially the religion/magic system, explained up front. A lot of the book rushes along at a breakneck pace, so that coupled with the narrative style made it hard to absorb all the worldbuilding.
The setting, however, was fantastic. I loved the whole botanical engineering aspect, and how it tied into the Weaving magic and the dangerous spores.
This book sucked me in, confused me, intrigued me, and made me keep reading. Yat is a bisexual constable living in a world where any queerness is punished. She is demoted and drugging herself to dull the pain and protect herself from her own memories. Then she ends up stumbling upon a sinister plot, murdered, resurrected by a god, and given new powers to see and interact with life threads. But there's still that sinister, government corrupting, spore-wielding plot to stop, so she doesn't have much time to figure anything out.
At times I found myself confused by exactly what was happening. The narration became purposefully disjointed, with snippets of dialogue breaking in. This was something Yat was experiencing, but since it was so hard to know what was happening, it pulled me out of the story.
I did like that the narrative moved betwern Yat and Sen, with a bit from Ajet and Sibbi to give some of the broader scope. There are also some direct-to-reader style chapters from one of the gods, which were intriguing but also mystifying. This book explores systems of power, corruption, sexism, homophobia, religious zealotry, police brutality, poverty, and what it means to be a hero. It's not subtle about its themes, but it weaves them together well.
I do wish there had been a bit more of Yat and Sen working together, and a bit more of the worldbuilding, especially the religion/magic system, explained up front. A lot of the book rushes along at a breakneck pace, so that coupled with the narrative style made it hard to absorb all the worldbuilding.
The setting, however, was fantastic. I loved the whole botanical engineering aspect, and how it tied into the Weaving magic and the dangerous spores.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug use, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Gaslighting, War, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Biphobia, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Blood, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Ableism, Self harm, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
onegalonelife27's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
- 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
Now this is a different book than my usual taste, but I was intrigued by the premise of bio-based technology and someone coming back to life.
Yat is an former street kid turn officer, trying to help make her town a better place yet finds herself demoted for “life style choices” aka being bisexual when the head religion says no to that-bleh. However, encountering a dead body and two strange officers leads to her death and subsequent resurrection with new magical powers. Now Yat finds herself involved with pirates, ancient gods, and a conspiracy that may just lead to the destruction of her home.
The characters are all intriguing and combined with the interesting world building make for a more surreal mystery that keeps you going. I was satisfied with the end and intrigued by the epilouge given, making me eager to see how the rest of the series goes.
I do have to admit, there were some parts of the plot I’m not sure were necessary since they didn’t really move Yat’s story along. However, given that this is actually part a series, it might be setting up for things to come. I also had a bit of a hard time keeping track of the countries/factions mentioned in the series and one reveal felt a bit off since it contradicted something said earlier and there’s no information to explain the contradiction.
Also somehow I managed to read two books about corrupt police departments in the same week. Funny how that happens.
Yat is an former street kid turn officer, trying to help make her town a better place yet finds herself demoted for “life style choices” aka being bisexual when the head religion says no to that-bleh. However, encountering a dead body and two strange officers leads to her death and subsequent resurrection with new magical powers. Now Yat finds herself involved with pirates, ancient gods, and a conspiracy that may just lead to the destruction of her home.
The characters are all intriguing and combined with the interesting world building make for a more surreal mystery that keeps you going. I was satisfied with the end and intrigued by the epilouge given, making me eager to see how the rest of the series goes.
I do have to admit, there were some parts of the plot I’m not sure were necessary since they didn’t really move Yat’s story along. However, given that this is actually part a series, it might be setting up for things to come. I also had a bit of a hard time keeping track of the countries/factions mentioned in the series and one reveal felt a bit off since it contradicted something said earlier and there’s no information to explain the contradiction.
Also somehow I managed to read two books about corrupt police departments in the same week. Funny how that happens.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Body horror, Police brutality, and War
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Transphobia, and Violence
Minor: Religious bigotry and Death of parent
fox_at_the_circus's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
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? No
4.25
I loved the world and setting in this book! the idea of alchemy and botanics mixing and just having plants instead of mechanical machines was so new and interesting and with the "magic" system in this book makes for so many cool opportunities. and especially in later chapters this also leads to some really cool and creepy body horror.
in general this book has a lot of really cool and new/rare story elements; the mythology and the way the gods and minor deities interact with the world is something i've never read before, and there were some nice twists on genre tropes like "coming back from death" and the heroine coming into their power and changing/growing though that.
i really liked the heroine. we get thrown into the story and this world without knowing anything and there's this great feeling of "what the eff is going on here?!", but since the heroine, too, feels that way and is learning and discovering new things, as a reader i never felt left behind and it was just a mystery to solve together.
i also really enjoyed the short inbetween chapters, where someone obviously more knowledgeable is talking. it adds to the sense of mystery and a bigger story line / backstory to it all. and some of them are just so poetic and rip your heart out.
also the representation and social commentary in this book is amazing. there is a super queer pirate found family and also a cat, that helps safe the day/heroine. and really what more could you want from a book?
in general this book has a lot of really cool and new/rare story elements; the mythology and the way the gods and minor deities interact with the world is something i've never read before, and there were some nice twists on genre tropes like "coming back from death" and the heroine coming into their power and changing/growing though that.
i really liked the heroine. we get thrown into the story and this world without knowing anything and there's this great feeling of "what the eff is going on here?!", but since the heroine, too, feels that way and is learning and discovering new things, as a reader i never felt left behind and it was just a mystery to solve together.
i also really enjoyed the short inbetween chapters, where someone obviously more knowledgeable is talking. it adds to the sense of mystery and a bigger story line / backstory to it all. and some of them are just so poetic and rip your heart out.
also the representation and social commentary in this book is amazing. there is a super queer pirate found family and also a cat, that helps safe the day/heroine. and really what more could you want from a book?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Biphobia, Body horror, Death, Drug use, Homophobia, Misogyny, Violence, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug use, Transphobia, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
augustar14's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
4.25
I loved the characters and their connections. I loved this world built with life itself, yet lacking fundamental connections to life and other. That was intriguing and well developed. The bin chicken insult- delightful. The characters and their relationships are well established. The world building is well done.
Spoiler: The only thing I didn't get was why Sibby was so mad at the main character for going back, as if the antagonist wouldn't have started releasing the spores and killing the city if she hadn't (cause he already was).
Spoiler: The only thing I didn't get was
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Sexual content, Violence, Police brutality, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Addiction, Biphobia, Sexism, Suicide, Blood, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Outing
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
anna_hepworth's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
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? No
4.5
This is an overwhelming story - huge convoluted story, cast of many, much world-building -- and I loved it. There is so much going on, and we get such a small part of the story, that it came as no surprise that this is the first book in a planned series. As it is also Stronach's first novel, and it came out this year, I respect that I'm going to have to wait for book two, but oh, I have such hopes for it.
I described this elsewhere as 'weird-tech fantasy', it could also be equally unhelpfully pigeon-holed as a 'far future/second world science fantasy with cyberpunk overtones and superhero/magicians'. Although the tech is bio-tech, there was so much about the way it was incorporated into the story, and the way that it affected the story telling that is very reminiscent of William Gibson's early cyberpunk works.
I love that Stronach has incorporated aspects of New Zealand speech patterns, possibly against their editors preferences, given the author's note at the beginning (which, I loved so much I've read it out to multiple people).
At the superficial level, this is a city devolving into religious control, and possibly civil war. It is also an amazingly pointed commentary on policing, and our protagonist, Yat, has a whole lot of learning to do about their complicity as a police-officer.
I described this elsewhere as 'weird-tech fantasy', it could also be equally unhelpfully pigeon-holed as a 'far future/second world science fantasy with cyberpunk overtones and superhero/magicians'. Although the tech is bio-tech, there was so much about the way it was incorporated into the story, and the way that it affected the story telling that is very reminiscent of William Gibson's early cyberpunk works.
I love that Stronach has incorporated aspects of New Zealand speech patterns, possibly against their editors preferences, given the author's note at the beginning (which, I loved so much I've read it out to multiple people).
At the superficial level, this is a city devolving into religious control, and possibly civil war. It is also an amazingly pointed commentary on policing, and our protagonist, Yat, has a whole lot of learning to do about their complicity as a police-officer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Homophobia and Religious bigotry
Minor: Death of parent