alexinitalics's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
2.25
This book has everything, Malorie Blackman's writing, a forbidden romance, murder mystery and it's set in space! So why did I leave it on hiatus for over a year?
I don't like dnf-ing books but then I put this book back on the shelf and found I had very little motivation to finish reading it. I didn't particularly connect to any of the characters but especially the main romance and its drama, I just had no interest in reading about. And the murder mystery, one of my favourite genres, felt very pushed to the side. It's hard to talk properly about this book given I read the first half so long ago but I will say the major reveal of the book I felt was well done. I will go back and re read this whole book one day and maybe then I'll enjoy it more. Or I'll just be reminded why I struggled to finish reading it the first time. A bit disappointing but mainly due to me having such high standards for it
I don't like dnf-ing books but then I put this book back on the shelf and found I had very little motivation to finish reading it. I didn't particularly connect to any of the characters but especially the main romance and its drama, I just had no interest in reading about. And the murder mystery, one of my favourite genres, felt very pushed to the side. It's hard to talk properly about this book given I read the first half so long ago but I will say the major reveal of the book I felt was well done. I will go back and re read this whole book one day and maybe then I'll enjoy it more. Or I'll just be reminded why I struggled to finish reading it the first time. A bit disappointing but mainly due to me having such high standards for it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Death of parent, Sexual content, and Child death
Minor: Classism, Pandemic/Epidemic, and War
12dejamoo's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
It makes me sad to give this 2 stars because I would honestly do anything for Malorie Blackman. I've never been a fan of that insta love thing, and some of the conflicts seemed really silly, like these people were just a bit too immature at times.
I do really love Malorie Blackman's writing in general, even when the book itself (in this case) isn't my favourite. You can just tell she's from London and that always feels very comfy.
Spoiler-y bit
I also didn't mind the Aidan robot reveal. It felt a little abrupt but in a 'this is a ya book' way, not in a 'this is bad writing' way. And I think Vee's grief over it was pretty good, although I feel she'd probably be a bit more torn up.
I think in general Vee was a really interesting character and I mostly liked spending time in her head, and although I think the third act conflict was blown slightly out of proportion, in her defence she was manipulated into believing a certain thing, and rather than calmly talk to her, Nathan went on the defensive and then was shocked that she was still angry
I do really love Malorie Blackman's writing in general, even when the book itself (in this case) isn't my favourite. You can just tell she's from London and that always feels very comfy.
Spoiler-y bit
Spoiler
I honestly can't believe this is the second book I've read where the couple get married off-screen and then announce it really randomly. After knowing each other for like 2 weeks as well! They had such an easy and fun banter going on, and I actually giggled out loud at some point, but then the next chapter they were married and then their relationship no longer had any intrigue. I did really like how it ended though - I saw how few pages were left and I was worried we'd have a quick turnaround moment but the fact that we didn't just proves to me how great Malorie Blackman is.I also didn't mind the Aidan robot reveal. It felt a little abrupt but in a 'this is a ya book' way, not in a 'this is bad writing' way. And I think Vee's grief over it was pretty good, although I feel she'd probably be a bit more torn up.
I think in general Vee was a really interesting character and I mostly liked spending time in her head, and although I think the third act conflict was blown slightly out of proportion, in her defence she was manipulated into believing a certain thing, and rather than calmly talk to her, Nathan went on the defensive and then was shocked that she was still angry
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Murder, Slavery, Xenophobia, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity and Xenophobia
tor_milne's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Murder
Minor: Death of parent
avid_reader32's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Uggggh. It's really annoying as I love naughts and crosses but this book just really disappointed me. Not only was the plot predictable and the major "surprises" I guessed easily but the plot wasn't that key to the book. The book seemed to focus on the romance which would have been fine if it was a relationship you were rooting for.
Spoiler
I felt that not only was the relationship toxic- Nathan possessive and controlling also in their first sex scene did kind of rape her and later on using rape as a punishment for a misunderstanding and another problem in their relationship, luckily Olivia walked away and nothing happened but as it added nothing to the plot and was not mentioned later on the book it felt like an unnecessary addition and considering this book is for teens promotes very toxic relationships. After all this and and clear misunderstanding which also felt annoying the ending just made me so annoyed. Not only did he leave the ship without forgiving her thus ending their relationship which was the only thing given detail in the book, he then after the ship had left said he loved her. <Spoiler> overall it just felt like the romance was the first thing she thought of and added everything else afterwards and so you had no real understanding of what was happening outside their romance. I had no connection to the side characters and the whole sci-fi felt unnecessary. I am disappointed and sad due to the relationship of Callum and sephy to now go to this toxic, romance that was quick and felt underdeveloped or thought through.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Child death
Minor: Rape
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