cthuwu's review
4.0
I couldn't finish this one. It was just too much world building to take in 44 PAGES. Which is why I'm so glad that this turned out to be part of a larger series so now I can rate it on its substance rather than how overwhelmed I felt trying to understand everything. I didn't finish it. I'd have to read the series or at least the first book before I read his. BUT it was written delightfully and he characters had a range of depth that shone through even in the short 20 pages I read of them. It was subtly diverse and mentioned several polyamorous relationships and LGBTQ+ individuals. The main character is bi. I imagine the series will have a similar quality.
kiiouex's review
3.0
It's kind of fun but if you just finished Revenant Gun and are dying for more Jedao what you want to do is pick up Hexarchate Stories and read Glass Cannon and die all over again.
(For what it is, it's ok, it's not really linked to anything else in the Hexarchate universe beyond having Jedao in it, so it's fun but... not the weird-feelings-about-Nirai-Kujen content that I so crave)
(For what it is, it's ok, it's not really linked to anything else in the Hexarchate universe beyond having Jedao in it, so it's fun but... not the weird-feelings-about-Nirai-Kujen content that I so crave)
lonecayt's review
1.0
Ugh. About as engrossing and empathetic as Ninefox Gambit was for me - that is, not at all. Incomprehensible plot and backstory, wooden supporting characters, and a Gary Stu of a lead. I'm gonna have to do a hard pass on anything else this guy writes.
jselliot's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Essentially a speed-run of a rescue mission with a twist. A pretty good read, even if I have a minor complaint about the rescuee's logic. "What was the point of the money if I couldn't spend it?" when they married rich and therefore their income wasn't likely to be tracked as heavily a few years into the nonsense? I am curious enough to check out the rest of this world/series, though.
bookaneer's review
4.0
Reread at June 17th, 2018.
I am still high on Machineries of Empire. Moreover, it so happens that I have a buddy read on all Hugo nominated novelettes with two groups (yay) so I have a perfect excuse to play with Jedao again.
Now that's a fun story. Even for a reread. Set in the same 'verse of the Machineries of Empire series, this one is about Shuos Jedao in his younger days. Pure adventure with some hilarious undercover moments and banters. In a space station whose people duel using pathogens. Yep, the world is definitely interesting.
I also liked that it provides a background of a certain ploy in Revenant Gun. Something that made me think, wait a sec, I've seen this before :D
Interesting back story of special agent Jedao as well. He had a quirky and know-it-all scientist of a mom who I bet has successfully passed down some of those particular traits to him. Ah, Jedao, you mischievous genius, Ithink believe I am in love with you.
I am still high on Machineries of Empire. Moreover, it so happens that I have a buddy read on all Hugo nominated novelettes with two groups (yay) so I have a perfect excuse to play with Jedao again.
Now that's a fun story. Even for a reread. Set in the same 'verse of the Machineries of Empire series, this one is about Shuos Jedao in his younger days. Pure adventure with some hilarious undercover moments and banters. In a space station whose people duel using pathogens. Yep, the world is definitely interesting.
I also liked that it provides a background of a certain ploy in Revenant Gun. Something that made me think, wait a sec, I've seen this before :D
Interesting back story of special agent Jedao as well. He had a quirky and know-it-all scientist of a mom who I bet has successfully passed down some of those particular traits to him. Ah, Jedao, you mischievous genius, I
sina_tavousi's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
roban's review
3.0
A fun read, but not as good as Ninefoz Gambit. Still a nice appetizer while we wait for the next full-length novel in the series.
valhecka's review
5.0
GOOD, cute, fun, with enough worldbuilding for a slew of novels in less than 60 pages and a sweet, goofy narrator - although he'd kill me for saying so - as well as nonbinary characters, poly family structures that work, and a pretty freaking adorable queer romance/fling.
bina's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
oleksandr's review
2.0
This novelette was nominated for Hugo in 2018
The story is set in the same universe as [b:Ninefox Gambit|26118426|Ninefox Gambit (The Machineries of Empire #1)|Yoon Ha Lee|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1446557461s/26118426.jpg|46065520] novel, which was nominated for Hugo last year. I’ve read it and wasn’t impressed. While it can be read as a stand-alone, knowing the backstory definitely helps.
Shuos Jedao, spy/assassin of heptarchy (civilization obsessed with order and numerology) is sent on a mission to rescue his old friend from the outpost of another civilization, masked as a merchant. The story is easy to read and full of action and dialogue with a bit of gay romance. However, I cannot say I took anything permanent from it, maybe because I don’t like the very concept.
The story is set in the same universe as [b:Ninefox Gambit|26118426|Ninefox Gambit (The Machineries of Empire #1)|Yoon Ha Lee|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1446557461s/26118426.jpg|46065520] novel, which was nominated for Hugo last year. I’ve read it and wasn’t impressed. While it can be read as a stand-alone, knowing the backstory definitely helps.
Shuos Jedao, spy/assassin of heptarchy (civilization obsessed with order and numerology) is sent on a mission to rescue his old friend from the outpost of another civilization, masked as a merchant. The story is easy to read and full of action and dialogue with a bit of gay romance. However, I cannot say I took anything permanent from it, maybe because I don’t like the very concept.