Review by jazzygirl625 -- Voice of the Elders
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jazzygirl625
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Review by jazzygirl625 -- Voice of the Elders
[Following is a volunteer review of "Voice of the Elders" by Greg Ripley.]
2 out of 4 stars
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Voice of the Elders by Greg Ripley follows Rohini, a young climate change activist, through her experiences in a near future of extreme climate despair. At a climate change conference for young leaders, a group of aliens, the Elders, appear claiming a desire to help fix the issues of climate change that humans have brought on. A committee is selected to visit the Elders’ planet in order to learn about their advanced climate change technology and their culture. Rohini is chosen as a part of this group, but when an unknown organization attempts to kidnap her, it becomes apparent that not everyone accepts this new course of action. The book follows Rohini and her trainer, Jane, across the globe as they try to further understand the Elders and circumvent those out to harm them.
This story combines aspects of sci-fi, fantasy, folklore, and reality in a way that alternates between a climate textbook, a historical account of Daoism, and a genuinely fictional novel. The first chapter left little to the imagination, being filled with exposition and details that leave the reader wondering if a plot will ever develop. The rest of the book follows suit, more often telling than showing the reader. The narrative is chock full of exposition that does not always end up having any relevance to the actual story.
As far as characters are concerned, everyone falls flat. Rohini, the main character, is an unrelatable stereotype of climate change activism, having been allotted opportunities while growing up that are only afforded to the rich or very fortunate. Other than a brief revelation about her past, no character flaws trouble her, and it is not until the end of the novel that any present-day character flaws are revealed, but they are so minute that they do nothing to add relatability or realism to the character. Every “good” character is treated as such, having no visible flaws to help make them realistic other than perhaps an overzealous sense of heroism or an over eager desire to share traditional stories. The main “bad” character has no redeeming qualities, giving him a lack of realism in the opposite sense. Any other “bad” character lacks characterization altogether.
The lore of Ripley’s world follows Daoism, and the story is overloaded with the traditional stories of China and Daoism. While some of the told stories played into the overall plot of Voice of the Elders, much of it fell into the category of over-exposition. Even the stories that related to the plot became tedious, as there were many instances where they were told in succession with no plot-driving developments to break up the repetitive nature of the stories. It was often an information overload that leaves the reader wondering if they need to remember any of it, as the relevant folk lore is revealed to be relevant well after it is told. The connection of climate change to Daoism, though, does compel the reader to consider their own beliefs and their impact on the world around them, which is a compelling reason for anyone to read the book.
Due to the above reasons, I rate Voice of the Elders 2 out of 4 stars. I most enjoyed what plot there was, but the tedious details and exposition heavily distracted from the plot, making that information my least favorite aspect. The plot is interesting enough to keep a reader engaged and thinking deeply if they can drudge through the relentless details. To me, the story felt as through it was written for children and then an attempt was made to give it a higher-level audience base. The characters are flat and one-dimensional, and details are over-explained, much like in a children’s show trying to teach a lesson to toddlers. I would recommend reading this book only if you are interested in science-fantasy with a passion about climate change to an absurd degree or with a strong desire to learn about the folk lore of Daoism. It is also interesting if you want motivation to look within at your own impact on the world. The book would have received a lower rating without this added aspect of introspection or had the plot not been compelling. It would have received a higher rating had it limited exposition and lore to that which was relevant to the story.
******
Voice of the Elders
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
2 out of 4 stars
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Voice of the Elders by Greg Ripley follows Rohini, a young climate change activist, through her experiences in a near future of extreme climate despair. At a climate change conference for young leaders, a group of aliens, the Elders, appear claiming a desire to help fix the issues of climate change that humans have brought on. A committee is selected to visit the Elders’ planet in order to learn about their advanced climate change technology and their culture. Rohini is chosen as a part of this group, but when an unknown organization attempts to kidnap her, it becomes apparent that not everyone accepts this new course of action. The book follows Rohini and her trainer, Jane, across the globe as they try to further understand the Elders and circumvent those out to harm them.
This story combines aspects of sci-fi, fantasy, folklore, and reality in a way that alternates between a climate textbook, a historical account of Daoism, and a genuinely fictional novel. The first chapter left little to the imagination, being filled with exposition and details that leave the reader wondering if a plot will ever develop. The rest of the book follows suit, more often telling than showing the reader. The narrative is chock full of exposition that does not always end up having any relevance to the actual story.
As far as characters are concerned, everyone falls flat. Rohini, the main character, is an unrelatable stereotype of climate change activism, having been allotted opportunities while growing up that are only afforded to the rich or very fortunate. Other than a brief revelation about her past, no character flaws trouble her, and it is not until the end of the novel that any present-day character flaws are revealed, but they are so minute that they do nothing to add relatability or realism to the character. Every “good” character is treated as such, having no visible flaws to help make them realistic other than perhaps an overzealous sense of heroism or an over eager desire to share traditional stories. The main “bad” character has no redeeming qualities, giving him a lack of realism in the opposite sense. Any other “bad” character lacks characterization altogether.
The lore of Ripley’s world follows Daoism, and the story is overloaded with the traditional stories of China and Daoism. While some of the told stories played into the overall plot of Voice of the Elders, much of it fell into the category of over-exposition. Even the stories that related to the plot became tedious, as there were many instances where they were told in succession with no plot-driving developments to break up the repetitive nature of the stories. It was often an information overload that leaves the reader wondering if they need to remember any of it, as the relevant folk lore is revealed to be relevant well after it is told. The connection of climate change to Daoism, though, does compel the reader to consider their own beliefs and their impact on the world around them, which is a compelling reason for anyone to read the book.
Due to the above reasons, I rate Voice of the Elders 2 out of 4 stars. I most enjoyed what plot there was, but the tedious details and exposition heavily distracted from the plot, making that information my least favorite aspect. The plot is interesting enough to keep a reader engaged and thinking deeply if they can drudge through the relentless details. To me, the story felt as through it was written for children and then an attempt was made to give it a higher-level audience base. The characters are flat and one-dimensional, and details are over-explained, much like in a children’s show trying to teach a lesson to toddlers. I would recommend reading this book only if you are interested in science-fantasy with a passion about climate change to an absurd degree or with a strong desire to learn about the folk lore of Daoism. It is also interesting if you want motivation to look within at your own impact on the world. The book would have received a lower rating without this added aspect of introspection or had the plot not been compelling. It would have received a higher rating had it limited exposition and lore to that which was relevant to the story.
******
Voice of the Elders
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Snatched Up to Heaven for Kids by Jemima Paul, Arvind Paul
