freya_re's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
skinnygetout's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a wild and funny book. This is a reimagining is the King Arthur myth, but in space. The majority of the characters are queer or trans or fluid. It’s a really fresh way of looking at heroes.
The premise is that a mega corporation, Mercer, rules the universe in a terror filled monopoly of all goods. Ari and her brother Kay are fugitives and thieves trying to resupply their ship and a series of mistakes leads to Ari hiding on old Earth where she mistakenly finds Excalibur and wakes up a long sleeping Merlin.
This sets in motion a rowdy, funny, and fun space opera.
The premise is that a mega corporation, Mercer, rules the universe in a terror filled monopoly of all goods. Ari and her brother Kay are fugitives and thieves trying to resupply their ship and a series of mistakes leads to Ari hiding on old Earth where she mistakenly finds Excalibur and wakes up a long sleeping Merlin.
This sets in motion a rowdy, funny, and fun space opera.
mgmaliska's review against another edition
5.0
What a delight retelling of the Arthurian legend! I love the twists & turns and endless queering of the tale. Kudos to the author for turning an often dry story of toxic masculinity into a time leaping story full of diverse characters, queer love & family fun.
This was a great audiobook and I’ll certainly listen to the next for a fun & entertaining story.
This was a great audiobook and I’ll certainly listen to the next for a fun & entertaining story.
catsobvi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
A sleek, futuristic retelling of the King Arthur myth, it is full of diversity of ethnicity, sexuality, and gender. The characters grow from disparate and separate individuals into a family as they fight the evil of capitalism, always my favorite Big Bad. Each character was unique, though development was reserved for the main ones, namely Ari, Merlin, and Morgana. Overall, an enjoyable retelling.
imraiji's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
iceprime5's review against another edition
4.0
This inclusive retelling of King Arthur is sassy, entertaining, funny, stressful, exciting, heartbreaking, and really all the feelings. I loved Ari from the beginning. The other characters were hit or miss for me. It's a little hard to keep track of everybody since several characters are introduced early on and Merlin tries to associate them with their original Arthur personality (e.g., Lancelot but nobody in the group is named Lancelot). The characters stick together for most of the story so you do get to know them all better.
The internal and external conflicts keep the action moving so it was difficult to put this book down. The characters always seem to under some sort of threat so it keeps moving along.
I enjoyed how Ari's story unfolded. She doesn't recall her past and you gradually learn it throughout the book with her. I love how she does what she feels is right and she'll do whatever it takes to protect the people she cares about, even if it means sacrificing herself or something she cares about.
I wish Ari and Kay's mothers had more of an active role. They seemed to only be present as a means of motivation for Kay and Ari, or to keep them in check. They are there and not there at the same time.
Overall I loved this book and can't wait for the conclusion in The Sword in the Stars in 2020.
The internal and external conflicts keep the action moving so it was difficult to put this book down. The characters always seem to under some sort of threat so it keeps moving along.
I enjoyed how Ari's story unfolded. She doesn't recall her past and you gradually learn it throughout the book with her. I love how she does what she feels is right and she'll do whatever it takes to protect the people she cares about, even if it means sacrificing herself or something she cares about.
I wish Ari and Kay's mothers had more of an active role. They seemed to only be present as a means of motivation for Kay and Ari, or to keep them in check. They are there and not there at the same time.
Overall I loved this book and can't wait for the conclusion in The Sword in the Stars in 2020.