Reviews

The Strange by Nathan Ballingrud

shetef's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A fantastic blend of space western, Southern gothic, and sci-fi horror. Ballingrud's Mars is simultaneously horrifying and enchanting.

violetisreading's review against another edition

3.0

An enjoyable read which is very well written and gives traditional sci-fi vibes. Annabel is a fourteen year old protagonist living on a version of Mars that has no communication with earth. One night her and her father's dinner is robbed, including a recording of her mother's voice who is stuck back on earth. Annabel's mission is to track down these thieves and get the recording back, along the way she releases just how dark her world is.

A good read overall, but it didn't take my breath away.

gggallin's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

annab802's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

margueriteturley's review against another edition

5.0

Well, Nathan Ballingrud has made a science fiction lover out of me. This is the heart wrenching tale of 14 year old Anabelle who lives on Mars with her father. She goes on a quest to get back what will make her father whole again. A beautiful story that’s packed full of emotion and horror, with a sci fi background. This punched me in the gut and refused to let go.

mayflymadz's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

ktjawrites's review against another edition

5.0

A masterclass of wonder, horror, and hope.

+

“The astronaut straightened, seeming to observe us as we approached. The light was too dim to make out his features behind the faceplate, but I detected movement there: a kind of dark-winged fluttering, as though he were not a man but a spirit made of feathers. Mushrooms were attached to one side of the faceplate's interior. A chill rippled over my skin.”

pferdina's review against another edition

adventurous dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Kind of a steampunk old west horror adventure story set in the late 1800s on Mars. Annabelle Crisp’s life is not great to begin with: she has no real friends, spends most of her time working in a diner, and her mother went back to Earth and didn’t return. Her father remains but is more and more lost without his wife. Then one evening the diner is robbed and Annabelle sets out on a journey of vengeance. I wasn’t sure about this story at first: too hokey, too gritty, and no likable characters. But by the end I was swayed. This is a very different kind of book and I think it was great.

fcrownover's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

beavercz's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5