galexy_brain's review
adventurous
fast-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Cursing, Death of parent, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Trafficking, and Violence
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Death, Medical content, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Vomit
plumpaperbacks's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The Athena Protocol is another book I picked up spontaneously at the library. Though the goddess is only mentioned and her name used because of what she stands for, this was an exciting, all-around excellent book.
I’d never heard of Sarif prior to reading this, but now not only do I want to read the sequel, I might also check out her other books. She certainly knows how to write a compelling story. The Athena Protocol is fast-paced from the first page, and it rarely slows down. The characters were complex, as were the relationships between them. I was constantly feeling things as I got to know different characters and hurriedly turning pages as they risked everything for their missions. I never knew what to expect or who to suspect; I think I was suspicious of just about everybody at some point or another. Major props to Sarif for that.
One of my favorite parts was Jessie and Paulina’s relationship. Unfortunately, there’s no real romance, but watching them flirt was a brilliant way to ease the tension in between the action scenes.
I will say, though, that this is Sarif’s first young adult novel, and to me, at least, it was obvious at times. The writing was a bit awkward in some places, and the most significant issue was with the characters. While I did quite like (most of) them, the few teenagers in the book didn’t act or feel like teenagers. I think Jessie is around seventeen or eighteen, but she seemed more like a young woman in her early twenties. If Sarif made everyone five to seven years older and called this an adult novel, I’d believe it.
That aside, I did thoroughly enjoy this book. I struggled slightly in the first fifty pages, but after that, I was hooked. I sped through most of it last night, and finished this morning after forcing myself to get some sleep.
I’m looking very forward to reading the sequel, and I hope more people give this book a try. It’s truly a hidden gem.
Representation
I’d never heard of Sarif prior to reading this, but now not only do I want to read the sequel, I might also check out her other books. She certainly knows how to write a compelling story. The Athena Protocol is fast-paced from the first page, and it rarely slows down. The characters were complex, as were the relationships between them. I was constantly feeling things as I got to know different characters and hurriedly turning pages as they risked everything for their missions. I never knew what to expect or who to suspect; I think I was suspicious of just about everybody at some point or another. Major props to Sarif for that.
One of my favorite parts was Jessie and Paulina’s relationship. Unfortunately, there’s no real romance, but watching them flirt was a brilliant way to ease the tension in between the action scenes.
I will say, though, that this is Sarif’s first young adult novel, and to me, at least, it was obvious at times. The writing was a bit awkward in some places, and the most significant issue was with the characters. While I did quite like (most of) them, the few teenagers in the book didn’t act or feel like teenagers. I think Jessie is around seventeen or eighteen, but she seemed more like a young woman in her early twenties. If Sarif made everyone five to seven years older and called this an adult novel, I’d believe it.
That aside, I did thoroughly enjoy this book. I struggled slightly in the first fifty pages, but after that, I was hooked. I sped through most of it last night, and finished this morning after forcing myself to get some sleep.
I’m looking very forward to reading the sequel, and I hope more people give this book a try. It’s truly a hidden gem.
Representation
- sapphic protagonist
- side characters of color (includes Black, Arab, and Chinese rep)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Gun violence
Moderate: Blood and Trafficking
Minor: Rape and Confinement
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