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booksandladders's review against another edition
3.0
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Content Warning: Body-shaming & fatmisia, Alcohol use, Blood depiction, Physical injury, Death, Murder, Torture, Captivity, Poverty themes, War themes, Mind control & loss of autonomy
Why was this book SO long only to introduce plots that never got resolved? I thought maybe it was a duology, but apparently not. On top of that, apparently it's related to The Sound of Stars, Dow's first novel, which means that I might have missed some context in reading this (very long) book.
I was really disappointed when there was the crash landing on Earth because it took away from the Sci-Fi elements. Yeah, they were aliens, but the system that was being created and explored was so much more interesting. I think if this had become a planet hopping excursion to learn about the issues in their galaxy rather than in a separate one, I would have liked it more. I know that the issues on Earth were similar to what was being experienced in their system, but it seemed weird to me to use Earth as the reason for changing their system. Wouldn't it make more sense to listen to others beyond Joy and the Hali situation to make a decision about how to run the universe?
This spoiler is about politics of a galaxy that doesn't exist.
The plot twists were interesting but spaced way too far apart in the story for me to be interested in them anymore. There was a solid 300 pages between when we first met the aliens in the system to when we see them again and in that time I didn't care. There was no explanation of who the leadership was, how it came to be, etc. so when everything was revealed, I didn't care.
I liked the flashbacks and incorporating the different ways Felix and Joy learned to grow together and apart throughout their lives, and their romance was very cute. I also liked the discussion around race, bodies, and being able to pursue interests rather than what was expected.
I'm torn on this one!!! I liked a lot of it but other parts just didn't work for me at all.
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Content Warning: Body-shaming & fatmisia, Alcohol use, Blood depiction, Physical injury, Death, Murder, Torture, Captivity, Poverty themes, War themes, Mind control & loss of autonomy
Why was this book SO long only to introduce plots that never got resolved? I thought maybe it was a duology, but apparently not. On top of that, apparently it's related to The Sound of Stars, Dow's first novel, which means that I might have missed some context in reading this (very long) book.
I was really disappointed when there was the crash landing on Earth because it took away from the Sci-Fi elements. Yeah, they were aliens, but the system that was being created and explored was so much more interesting. I think if this had become a planet hopping excursion to learn about the issues in their galaxy rather than in a separate one, I would have liked it more. I know that the issues on Earth were similar to what was being experienced in their system, but it seemed weird to me to use Earth as the reason for changing their system. Wouldn't it make more sense to listen to others beyond Joy and the Hali situation to make a decision about how to run the universe?
This spoiler is about politics of a galaxy that doesn't exist.
Spoiler
And don't get me started on deciding to just become a Republic like that and expect it would be fine. There are so many other issues at play that didn't get addressed because they were on Earth but suddenly Hali and other poor planets will have power? As if people would let that happen!! There would be so much corruption in their new system.The plot twists were interesting but spaced way too far apart in the story for me to be interested in them anymore. There was a solid 300 pages between when we first met the aliens in the system to when we see them again and in that time I didn't care. There was no explanation of who the leadership was, how it came to be, etc. so when everything was revealed, I didn't care.
I liked the flashbacks and incorporating the different ways Felix and Joy learned to grow together and apart throughout their lives, and their romance was very cute. I also liked the discussion around race, bodies, and being able to pursue interests rather than what was expected.
I'm torn on this one!!! I liked a lot of it but other parts just didn't work for me at all.
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brianna_4pawsandabook's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up!
This book started out a little slow and a bit all over the place, but once you really get to know the characters, you really start to love this book. There were a few confusing bits in terms of the world and what the aliens did and didn't know once getting to earth, but it was fun to have perspective from the aliens, rather than from the people of earth. A strong first read of 2022!
This book started out a little slow and a bit all over the place, but once you really get to know the characters, you really start to love this book. There were a few confusing bits in terms of the world and what the aliens did and didn't know once getting to earth, but it was fun to have perspective from the aliens, rather than from the people of earth. A strong first read of 2022!
srmilesauthor's review against another edition
4.0
The Jetsons with Telekinesis
This is such a fun and asking read that feels more like a strawberry milkshake than the cold sugar free sci-fi that's more concerned with physics than fiction.
This is such a fun and asking read that feels more like a strawberry milkshake than the cold sugar free sci-fi that's more concerned with physics than fiction.
beccacoffindaffer's review against another edition
5.0
My official blurb for this lovely book:
A romantic, technicolor space fantasy that will sweep you off your feet and into the stars!
A romantic, technicolor space fantasy that will sweep you off your feet and into the stars!
cloudedreads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
bri_fish's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
paulineerika's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I really enjoyed this book, but a few things kept it from a higher rating for me:
- The pacing was actually really good throughout the book, but then at the very end (starting with the concert, I'd say), lots of things happened all at once that felt rushed and would have benefited from more development.
Like King Yecki being Felix's dad and hand-choosing Joy as his Kindred! - I didn't think there was enough written about the Ilori to justify their being the Big Bad. Admittedly, this is partly an issue for me because I haven't read The Sound of Stars and I didn't realize this was set in the same world.
- There was a bit too much "I love you, but we can't be together, but I love you, so let's be together!" back and forth with the characters, especially Joy. The will-they-or-won't-they was a little too dragged out.
All that being said, I loved the representation, I loved Joy and Felix's relationship and his fierce devotion to her, and I loved their Earth friends. Solid introduction to this author and I'll be reading more from her for sure.
akossket's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
finagarvey's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0