Poor boy does crime and is disappointed that he feels guilty about it.

Magician manipulates two guys into thinking they are magical hot shots and then banishes them after they mess around too much.

Could've done without the weird romance side quest

I did not enjoy the romance novel feel of this series

Amazing - our problems today clearly started before Butler wrote this fascinating novel, but she has so much clarity on their causes that it seems she was prophetic.

I was not emotionally impacted by The Road, which is similar in tone to this book, but I was deeply moved by Butler's follow up to Parable of the Sower. Absolutely essential spec fic.

Plot slowed down significantly and book ends via deus ex machina

DNF. Slow pace, telling vs showing. Girl whose mom died goes to pre-college summer camp and finds out about magic.

Great concept but sort of basic palace intrigue

DNF. Interesting setting but neither the worldbuilding/characters were engaging. Also, the romance aspect is gross - woman falls for racist that hates her race?

So fun

Couldn't wait for #2 since book 1 was so enjoyable, but the experience is really improved by reading spoilers. There's a lot of what feels like filler content otherwise.

Nona was much more enjoyable than Harrow but there was such little plot advancement in this book.

Beautifully weaves themes of oppression, fatalism/determinism, duty to one's family and community, and resilience. I found low star reviews of this book more a reflection of a certain type of reader who couldn't care about the book and it's themes because they don't see themselves reflected in the characters.

This one was more of a typical fantasy plot than the first and narrative was spread across more characters. Would have liked Narampa, Xiala, & Serapio's individualism to be challenged by their respective cultures more.

This is really an action book with sci fi concepts and tropes - not what I was looking for. Choosing to start this book off with a sexual assault scene that is played off as a funny prank led me to believe I was reading an anti-hero or at least a character who would eventually realize their mistakes/experience narrative growth. Kade did neither of those things.

Fascinating and relatable exploration of the tension between assimilation to and defiance of imperialism. I could read about Baru's inner struggles, guilt, wistfulness, etc forever. People with recent immigration in their families especially might find this book relatable.

The perspective and reasoning for the villain's actions in this series aren't explored enough - found him unbelievable as a villain.

Prescient and accurate in its depiction of how colonialism works

A satisfying ending! So rare

Very dense in a similar vein to Dr. strange and Mr. Norrell mixed with Malazan. Philosophical and interested in exploring a whole array of topics: death, sex, gender, humanity, slavery, and on

Good dog

Really exceeded my expectations as a first contact story. The sense of loss in the book was realistic and cathartic. One of my favorite books.

I don't think I will continue to read this series.

Too dense for currenbrain power

Characters very hard to get into, pretty boring compared to murderbot. Tells rather than shows.

Delightful

Interesting world building but difficult characters to get into. Why is it like this for sci-fi authors?