The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! š
narmaeth's review
4.0
The writing is really strange in this book, there is a ridiculous amount of detailing and repetition that make the book significantly longer and more tedious than it should be. While in the beginning it was fun because it gave a great insight into the world building, by 26% it was becoming a real chore to read.
It has no formatting to denote the change of POV, which was incredibly jarring and confusing. The writing also lacks emotion, conversations come across as clinical... which leads into my next observation: the sex scenes are so incredibly vague. If you're hoping for steamy sex scenes, you will be disappointed.
As another reviewer pointed out, I do also have concerns about the majority of the women characters being relegated traditionally feminine roles. I find it curious that there are no female miners or dock workers, male sex workers etc. We only see one female military person. Teagan's duties and hobbies are based heavily on domesticated things and more often than not she's a damsel in distress.
So what are the positives? The characters are generally lovely, you grow very fond of them (though this might be due to the amount of time you spend reading about their daily lives more than anything else). I loved that Teagan's pet became such an integral part of her life and the author did an excellent job making an unpopular creature so appealing and endearing.
The book is very relaxing to read, I have severe mental health issues that make reading certain subjects difficult and finding 'safe' books tricky. I found this book to be very safe and comforting.
It has no formatting to denote the change of POV, which was incredibly jarring and confusing. The writing also lacks emotion, conversations come across as clinical... which leads into my next observation: the sex scenes are so incredibly vague. If you're hoping for steamy sex scenes, you will be disappointed.
As another reviewer pointed out, I do also have concerns about the majority of the women characters being relegated traditionally feminine roles. I find it curious that there are no female miners or dock workers, male sex workers etc. We only see one female military person. Teagan's duties and hobbies are based heavily on domesticated things and more often than not she's a damsel in distress.
So what are the positives? The characters are generally lovely, you grow very fond of them (though this might be due to the amount of time you spend reading about their daily lives more than anything else). I loved that Teagan's pet became such an integral part of her life and the author did an excellent job making an unpopular creature so appealing and endearing.
The book is very relaxing to read, I have severe mental health issues that make reading certain subjects difficult and finding 'safe' books tricky. I found this book to be very safe and comforting.
shantastic's review
3.0
Teagan has always dreamed of the stars. In the meantime, she's a sanitation worker in the big city where the major spaceports are located. Then, one fine day, she gets to tour a real spaceship, and ends up hiring on as the cresw's maid. The crew of the Tora consists of the captain, Hiroshi, the medic, Phillip, and the resident alien, Yukihyo, who is able to establish a bond with Teagan.
I was drawn to this book because I always want books similar to [b:The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet|22733729|The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet (Wayfarers, #1)|Becky Chambers|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1405532474s/22733729.jpg|42270825]. There's a space ship, there is found family, and the worldview is positive, so in that way it hit what I wanted.
The good: I loved Teagan. She was this wide-eyed Disney princess, and I didn't have much faith in her ability to walk and chew gum at the same time. But she was so delighted with life, and she took pleasure in the simple things. Also, I liked that she loved everybody. There's a scene early on when Teagan is introduced to a shopkeeper on her first planet away from home who was obviously a lover of Phillip's. I was waiting for bitchy comments, and judgy internal monologues about the slutty, slutty other woman. Instead, the two women struck up a lovely friendship.
That all being said, the writing is atrocious. Every action Teagan could ever make in her life is written out, including her changing into pajamas. The sentences were all fairly short and declarative, and there were pacing problems an editor could have fixed. Teagan is also a textbook Mary Sue.
That said, there's a lot of heart in this book, and it reminded me of the good parts of some of the Sholan Alliance books. I have the second book ordered, and plan to read it soon.
I was drawn to this book because I always want books similar to [b:The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet|22733729|The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet (Wayfarers, #1)|Becky Chambers|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1405532474s/22733729.jpg|42270825]. There's a space ship, there is found family, and the worldview is positive, so in that way it hit what I wanted.
The good: I loved Teagan. She was this wide-eyed Disney princess, and I didn't have much faith in her ability to walk and chew gum at the same time. But she was so delighted with life, and she took pleasure in the simple things. Also, I liked that she loved everybody. There's a scene early on when Teagan is introduced to a shopkeeper on her first planet away from home who was obviously a lover of Phillip's. I was waiting for bitchy comments, and judgy internal monologues about the slutty, slutty other woman. Instead, the two women struck up a lovely friendship.
That all being said, the writing is atrocious. Every action Teagan could ever make in her life is written out, including her changing into pajamas. The sentences were all fairly short and declarative, and there were pacing problems an editor could have fixed. Teagan is also a textbook Mary Sue.
That said, there's a lot of heart in this book, and it reminded me of the good parts of some of the Sholan Alliance books. I have the second book ordered, and plan to read it soon.
hellegade's review
5.0
I kept seeing this book everywhere so I decided to give it a try. Now a long time later I have reread it about a million times. Every time I'm in a book slump I reread the whole series.Ā
The book sucked me in and didn't let me go until the end. I really enjoyed experiencing the universe with Teagan and the crew. She brings a certain innocence and absolute joy to the book. Every time you think you know what is going on, huge surprises smacks you in the face.Ā
I absolutely love this book and the rest of the series.Ā āāāāā
The book sucked me in and didn't let me go until the end. I really enjoyed experiencing the universe with Teagan and the crew. She brings a certain innocence and absolute joy to the book. Every time you think you know what is going on, huge surprises smacks you in the face.Ā
I absolutely love this book and the rest of the series.Ā āāāāā
tiffiny's review
2.0
DNF @63% and how I lasted that long I donāt even know. Iām okay with a heroine being girly but I swear if I read the word āundiesā one more time......also for a girl who had to survive some tough situations she sure was extra innocent.
There were tons of details about everything. I loved how vividly the worlds were described. However I didnāt need in-depth descriptions of every single out, every single day. Nor did I need to have so much detail on how to bake a cake.....there were just many times where there was TOO much detail.
The writing was stilted and there were switches between characters points of view without warning. It could have used an editor to cut out a lot of the unnecessary shite in this book. I know this is RH and Iām sure each book will have an additional man added but I canāt even trudge through this one to get there.
There were tons of details about everything. I loved how vividly the worlds were described. However I didnāt need in-depth descriptions of every single out, every single day. Nor did I need to have so much detail on how to bake a cake.....there were just many times where there was TOO much detail.
The writing was stilted and there were switches between characters points of view without warning. It could have used an editor to cut out a lot of the unnecessary shite in this book. I know this is RH and Iām sure each book will have an additional man added but I canāt even trudge through this one to get there.
bee995's review
5.0
Great start
This book is simple enough but very descriptive and full of character. I really like Teagan she's a fun MC but all the guys are what really makes the book more interesting. Simon and Eliot became fast favourites and I hope to see what becomes of them.
This book is simple enough but very descriptive and full of character. I really like Teagan she's a fun MC but all the guys are what really makes the book more interesting. Simon and Eliot became fast favourites and I hope to see what becomes of them.
alatedbibliophile's review
4.0
Different from what I've read before, but I enjoyed it. Thunderdrop was probably my favorite part; he's so cute :)
cherco's review
5.0
This series is awesome! I usually don't like a series focused on one character, but something about this one kept me hooked. I have read up to the current last book;
The Inquisitors (The Space Merchants Book 6), and the offshoots; Xavier: An Omnes Videntes Novel, Jazon: An Omnes Videntes Novel and Thunderdrop: A Space Merchants Novella.
Every book is entertaining. I can keep track of ALL the characters because I like of of them and love seeing them every book. It's a great combination of science fiction, romance and sex. This is a new autor for me and I hope her other books are just as good.
The Inquisitors (The Space Merchants Book 6), and the offshoots; Xavier: An Omnes Videntes Novel, Jazon: An Omnes Videntes Novel and Thunderdrop: A Space Merchants Novella.
Every book is entertaining. I can keep track of ALL the characters because I like of of them and love seeing them every book. It's a great combination of science fiction, romance and sex. This is a new autor for me and I hope her other books are just as good.
More...