josb's review
adventurous
emotional
slow-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? It's complicated
2.5
This was a well written book but unfortunately it missed the mark with me.
The biggest problem was pacing. Some parts of the book were a such a slog and when we got to a turning point the events happened quickly so we could go back to being thinking about the internal angst both of these characters have. Within the last 80 pages there was a second twist that meant to set the end state of the novel, but there were lots of ways this concept could have been reinforced in a alternating first person POV.
The other issue I had was that many reviews mentioned that the cast of characters was diverse. Diverse queer space operas are a big interest of mine but imagine my disappointment when, besides the mention of individual trans, pan, and aroace identities, it does not go beyond that. The reveals happened within 50 pages of one another and added nothing to the story besides honourable mention. Certainly, nobody in the LGBTQIA+ spaces owes an explanation, and representation matters, but in the written word I do want a little more than just a mention. There was something unsatisfying about it.
If you like YA's with lots of classic tropes then this might be a better fit for you than it was for me.
The biggest problem was pacing. Some parts of the book were a such a slog and when we got to a turning point the events happened quickly so we could go back to being thinking about the internal angst both of these characters have. Within the last 80 pages there was a second twist that meant to set the end state of the novel, but there were lots of ways this concept could have been reinforced in a alternating first person POV.
The other issue I had was that many reviews mentioned that the cast of characters was diverse. Diverse queer space operas are a big interest of mine but imagine my disappointment when, besides the mention of individual trans, pan, and aroace identities, it does not go beyond that. The reveals happened within 50 pages of one another and added nothing to the story besides honourable mention. Certainly, nobody in the LGBTQIA+ spaces owes an explanation, and representation matters, but in the written word I do want a little more than just a mention. There was something unsatisfying about it.
If you like YA's with lots of classic tropes then this might be a better fit for you than it was for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Death of parent
ireadinbed's review
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It honestly pains me to give an Emily Skrutskie book a 3 after how much I enjoyed the abyss books.
But this book feels rushed. There's not enough world building. It was hard to understand what all the physicality of Scela meant because details weren't concrete
There were moments that really got me. Skrutskie piles in great little phrases and ideas. And I did enjoy the characters.
But I needed more of them. And I found a major plot point really really contrived
A threat of a hull breach sounds like an active shooter threat. It makes complete sense that people had breach suits. The fact we were supposed to believe it as suspicious broke my immersion entirely
But this book feels rushed. There's not enough world building. It was hard to understand what all the physicality of Scela meant because details weren't concrete
There were moments that really got me. Skrutskie piles in great little phrases and ideas. And I did enjoy the characters.
But I needed more of them. And I found a major plot point really really contrived
Spoiler
A threat of a hull breach sounds like an active shooter threat. It makes complete sense that people had breach suits. The fact we were supposed to believe it as suspicious broke my immersion entirely
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Body horror, and Violence
Minor: Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Vomit
melaniereadsbooks's review
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
4.75
Humanity has been searching the stars on a fleet of generation ships for 300 years trying to find a new planet to call home, and in that time the General Body has taken over, and a group of rebels known as the Fractionists have different ideas on how humanity should continue. Meanwhile, the General Body employs human-machine hybrids called scela to be their standing army. Who would volunteer to have their bodies invaded by machines and their lives controlled by the will of their superiors? Only the truly desperate...
Wow I absolutely loved this book! There are so many elements that made it exactly what I wanted in a ya scifi standalone and I loved how they turned out.
There are two POV characters, Key and Aisha. At first, I though Aisha was going to be my favorite--aroace, religious, fiercely protective of her siblings. But I quickly formed an emotional attachment to Key and she ended up being my favorite character throughout the rest of the book.
I loved to watch the struggles that the characters had to go through--not just externally, but internally as well, and I thought the added element of the exosystem was a great touch to really amplify this struggle.
This book was definitely very dark in places and super sad, but it had a lot of hopeful parts as well, and I loved the ending!
Wow I absolutely loved this book! There are so many elements that made it exactly what I wanted in a ya scifi standalone and I loved how they turned out.
There are two POV characters, Key and Aisha. At first, I though Aisha was going to be my favorite--aroace, religious, fiercely protective of her siblings. But I quickly formed an emotional attachment to Key and she ended up being my favorite character throughout the rest of the book.
I loved to watch the struggles that the characters had to go through--not just externally, but internally as well, and I thought the added element of the exosystem was a great touch to really amplify this struggle.
This book was definitely very dark in places and super sad, but it had a lot of hopeful parts as well, and I loved the ending!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Child death, Death, and Child abuse
Moderate: Grief, Gore, Medical trauma, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Sexual content and Islamophobia
angiel's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
I’m glad I read this book. It’s not one I would have ever chosen, but Wick and Jane Bookclub did and I’m so glad. I cried, laughed, felt awkward, uncomfortable and even disgusted. The emotions and experiences where so well written that I really felt part of it all. There were a lot of triggers and the list will probably feel extensive, but I really enjoyed this story despite the negative topics.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Violence, Torture, and Medical trauma
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