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kmartbooks's review against another edition
1.75
"The Goodbye Kids" by Debbie Iancu-Haddad offers a unique blend of science fiction, romance, and intrigue in a futuristic setting. The story revolves around Haley, a plus-size teen who has grown up friendless on a space station, nurturing dreams of becoming an intergalactic pilot. Her only companion is Nano, a lovable robot dog. The narrative takes an unexpected turn with the arrival of Jorden, a young man with a dark past and a dangerous mission. He's on a suicide mission to save Earth for his cult, and he ends up pulling Haley into his perilous scheme unknowingly. As their relationship deepens, they find themselves falling in love despite the lies between them.
Iancu-Haddad creates a vivid and imaginative space station setting, complete with unique technology and social dynamics. The inclusion of Nano, the talking robot dog, adds a delightful and heartwarming aspect to the narrative. However, it's important to note that the story takes a somber turn when Nano meets a tragic end. This event deeply affected the reading experience for some, as the loss of a beloved character can be emotionally challenging. Especially when it's the love interest that is responsible.
Another aspect of the story that may be polarizing is the moral dilemma faced by Jorden, who hails from a cult-like background. His involvement in the mission and the choices he makes may lead readers to have mixed feelings about his character. I certainly did.
Overall, "The Goodbye Kids" offers a fresh take on the science fiction genre, with well-developed characters and a thought-provoking storyline. I wish it was not set up as a romance, honestly.
Iancu-Haddad creates a vivid and imaginative space station setting, complete with unique technology and social dynamics. The inclusion of Nano, the talking robot dog, adds a delightful and heartwarming aspect to the narrative. However, it's important to note that the story takes a somber turn when Nano meets a tragic end. This event deeply affected the reading experience for some, as the loss of a beloved character can be emotionally challenging. Especially when it's the love interest that is responsible.
Another aspect of the story that may be polarizing is the moral dilemma faced by Jorden, who hails from a cult-like background. His involvement in the mission and the choices he makes may lead readers to have mixed feelings about his character. I certainly did.
Overall, "The Goodbye Kids" offers a fresh take on the science fiction genre, with well-developed characters and a thought-provoking storyline. I wish it was not set up as a romance, honestly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Gaslighting
calicat42's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
5.0
This felt a lot like the trolley problem played out in a dystopian world. In a way it’s a philosophical thriller, if those exist, because it seems to tell the story of our earth’s potential future dystopia.
As a romance reader, it’s not the typical book to read for this genre, but I think it was important for the story to show how much humanity is getting wrecked as corporations and wealthy elite make the earth uninhabitable.
Worth every second to read, and I need to know what happens next; both for the book and to have some hope!
As a romance reader, it’s not the typical book to read for this genre, but I think it was important for the story to show how much humanity is getting wrecked as corporations and wealthy elite make the earth uninhabitable.
Worth every second to read, and I need to know what happens next; both for the book and to have some hope!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Deportation
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