hailey_miller's review against another edition
5.0
Fascinating. This one did a good job continuing the story and I really liked the mystery element to it. It was fun. :)
anniesreads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
scribejack's review against another edition
4.0
Another solid outing for Sanderson. Loved that the audiobook was free on Audible. I don't know if it was the writing of the narration, but for some reason I got something of a Dark Tower vibe sometimes. Am I alone in this? I know these Legion books are just side projects for Sanderson, but it would be cool to see what he could come up with if he was allowed to go further. It sort of reminds me of Dollhouse. I hope the next book is less episodic. The religious/metaphysical still throw me a little bit for some reason, which doesn't happen with any of his other books, and I can't put my finger on why. But it doesn't throw me enough that it hampers my enjoyment. Anyway, good book!
reubendb's review against another edition
4.0
Far stronger conflict is this story to match its great cast of original characters and plot. Would love to see this series go on for a while or reinvented as a Netflix mini series. Looking forward to the third one.
nat20charisma's review against another edition
4.0
Not as good as the first one, but still enjoyable
bibilly's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
i thought the religious debate would be a one-time thing and we'd move away from it, but in this volume Sanderson again tries to reconcile faith and rationality. that's not something bad per se, but his corny attempt makes it obvious the struggle is his and not the main character's, whose speech on the subject is so unnaturally delivered with its cheap metaphysics ("oh i don't believe in god, but i do believe in infinity". bitch you're about to be shot in the head) it turns the most dangerous situation of the story in a self-help book chapter. that comes after the protagonist is abruptly separated from his hallucinations — entities or "aspects" he summons after learning a subject by just flipping through the pages of a book bc he's that smart. they being his receptacles of knowledge even for social interactions, the separation opens a lot of possibilities to discuss his condition that are never explored as they should due to the author's little "philosophical" moment and to limitations of format, since this is just a novella. the aspects' nature, my favorite part of the book, is better explained here, yet i still find it contradictory: if they're supposed to know only what their creator knows, why are there instances when they see what Stephen isn't looking at and are even ordered to "keep watch"? as for Stephen himself, he confesses to being "a rather bland man in his thirties" and that "the aspects have all the character", and i agree (except for the fact he comes off like a man in his twenties not thirties). however, there's not much to the aspects' said character: while i like Tobias' oldman aura and Aubrey's self-awareness, every time Ivy exclaims "language!" like a broken record is a reminder she didn't bat an eye to JC's racist comment in the first volume beyond asking why do they keep him around (just to get caught kissing him afterward), and his "can i shot them?" line was already annoying in the previous novella. a butler completes the main cast, only you tend to forget him when he isn't calling his employer "master" as if they're both starring in Batman. the mystery and sci-fi plotlines are also better woven this time, although the holes and amateur mistakes eventually appear —the biggest of the first being a professional assassin suddenly starting to believe in ghost stories so she can conveniently miss a shot at our man— and everything is wrapped up by an anticlimactic resolution with little to no feeling of fear or tension throughout it. despite all that, the last volume is in my plans for this week; i'm already here, might as well finally discover what's up with this guy's mind.
readivine's review against another edition
4.0
First of all, I would like to express how much I FREAKING LOVE THE COVERS OF THE THREE NOVELLAS
And are quite accurate and relevant with the plot! Wuzzzaaaaa this is amazzzhiiingg. I think JC is growing on me and he's actually very funny and surprisingly smart. However, if I would have one of Stephen's aspects, it would no doubt be Tobias. He's just so cute and definitely perfect for ASMR!!! AHAHAHHA. Skin Deep's a perfect title actually, and what's more interesting with this one is that we get to see a larger scope of Stephen's 47 aspects. I particularly liked that part when all of the aspects converged to help in the overall research! Sense8 into Sense47 indeed.
Also, there's an ink blot art for every Chapter and it is really creepy and disturbing but by the latter end it formed into a coherent picture. I screamed in excitement when I finally got it! If you find yourself getting bored with the book (which I highly doubt), the art really is a good motivator to finish it HAHAHAH.
And are quite accurate and relevant with the plot! Wuzzzaaaaa this is amazzzhiiingg. I think JC is growing on me and he's actually very funny and surprisingly smart. However, if I would have one of Stephen's aspects, it would no doubt be Tobias. He's just so cute and definitely perfect for ASMR!!! AHAHAHHA. Skin Deep's a perfect title actually, and what's more interesting with this one is that we get to see a larger scope of Stephen's 47 aspects. I particularly liked that part when all of the aspects converged to help in the overall research! Sense8 into Sense47 indeed.
Also, there's an ink blot art for every Chapter and it is really creepy and disturbing but by the latter end it formed into a coherent picture. I screamed in excitement when I finally got it! If you find yourself getting bored with the book (which I highly doubt), the art really is a good motivator to finish it HAHAHAH.
ashleykwbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I really love these stories! Legion is a really interesting character and his aspects and what causes them is so interesting. I really hope the next book delves into that more!
halcyon_rising's review against another edition
4.0
I really like reading about Legion, but I'm not sure if I'm more into the possiblities for the character(s) than the actual execution?
There's one more part that I have not read yet, so I guess I'll be able to fully decide after reading that.
I'll leave my 4 star rating as is, but I'm at this point not sure if it's a 3 or 4.
Happy Reading!
There's one more part that I have not read yet, so I guess I'll be able to fully decide after reading that.
I'll leave my 4 star rating as is, but I'm at this point not sure if it's a 3 or 4.
Happy Reading!
abigcoffeedragon's review against another edition
5.0
Now THIS is more like it - a much longer Legion story (though still short story) but it gives enough story to keep you rolling with the characters. This has been optioned for a television show, and I could see it on there, but I would love more Legion tales first - Though, with Brandon Sanderson doing a multitude of projects, he has wa-a-a-ay too much on his plate right now to come back to doing these - excellent characters and story, and a ton of fun from beginning to end.