motherofbears's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
A streetwise orphan courier gets a mYsTeRiOuS package and suddenly people are after her.
That’s most of the plot.
This is for someone looking for a gritty action driven sci-fi story that doesn’t mind hearing the thoughts of a teenage girl constantly.
I found the characters one-demential, the story is very plot driven, and most of the actions characters take did not really make sense or felt forced.
Some trigger warnings for the book: Rape/SA, underage girls being abused
What I loved was the world building. I found the setting really interesting and honestly kept reading to find out more about the world. I also appreciated the POV shift when we are following a character other than Kris, it was very successful.
The main character felt very “men writing women” - clunky and male gaze-y.
Honestly… still considering reading the other two books in this series because I did find the world so interesting, but by the end of this one I couldn’t suppress the eye rolling.
That’s most of the plot.
This is for someone looking for a gritty action driven sci-fi story that doesn’t mind hearing the thoughts of a teenage girl constantly.
I found the characters one-demential, the story is very plot driven, and most of the actions characters take did not really make sense or felt forced.
Some trigger warnings for the book: Rape/SA, underage girls being abused
What I loved was the world building. I found the setting really interesting and honestly kept reading to find out more about the world. I also appreciated the POV shift when we are following a character other than Kris, it was very successful.
The main character felt very “men writing women” - clunky and male gaze-y.
Spoiler
As a couple other people mentioned, there is a shoe-horned romance that felt like it was added in a later draft. She goes from not trusting or needing anyone to omg he’s so strong and handsome I feel safe even though every other man in my life abused me. The main character is 16. Her love interest is 20/21 I think. Not the grossest age difference but come on. Why not make them both in their 20s? There is no story reason for her to be sixteen. TW! There is also a very forced attempted rape scene that felt completely out of character and added nothing to the story. Rape is not a character development tool, stop putting this in books.Honestly… still considering reading the other two books in this series because I did find the world so interesting, but by the end of this one I couldn’t suppress the eye rolling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Adult/minor relationship, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, War, Pedophilia, Domestic abuse, Blood, and Torture
Minor: Abandonment and Sexual assault
babs_reviews's review against another edition
3.0
Full of action and suspense The Courier was captivating. I thoroughly enjoyed the world Brandt has created and was glad I wasn't hit with all the information at once. It was explained in a way that blended with the story. I always appreciate that.
The package. A lot of the plot was built on this package; who had it where and when. This was the only part I found weak. There wasn't much in the way of explaining it. Half the time I was left wondering why it was so important. I kept wondering why she didn't just get rid of it and then hide. But she held onto it; which I realize helped the plot but still. I would have liked more information regarding the package a lot quicker than we received it.
The action is what kept me turning the pages. A courier on the run was definitely interesting to follow. I couldn't help but get swept away in the nerve fraying excitement of it.
The 'love' in the book, if you can call it that, was very subtle. I wasn't sure with how few interactions and time spent together they ended up falling in love. But I liked that they made that connection and want to read book 2 to see how they are doing.
The package. A lot of the plot was built on this package; who had it where and when. This was the only part I found weak. There wasn't much in the way of explaining it. Half the time I was left wondering why it was so important. I kept wondering why she didn't just get rid of it and then hide. But she held onto it; which I realize helped the plot but still. I would have liked more information regarding the package a lot quicker than we received it.
The action is what kept me turning the pages. A courier on the run was definitely interesting to follow. I couldn't help but get swept away in the nerve fraying excitement of it.
The 'love' in the book, if you can call it that, was very subtle. I wasn't sure with how few interactions and time spent together they ended up falling in love. But I liked that they made that connection and want to read book 2 to see how they are doing.
wagesof's review against another edition
1.0
I made it up until the protagonist decided she wasn't a 16 year old street girl who had been dealing with exploitative men on a daily basis but actually a suburbanite flibertigibit who could be reduced to a puddle by a guy taking off his shirt.
Then it went from abused history to "oh god, my friend who I've known for years at work is suddenly super rapey" and I had to actually stop reading.
Skip this one.
Then it went from abused history to "oh god, my friend who I've known for years at work is suddenly super rapey" and I had to actually stop reading.
Skip this one.
tregina's review against another edition
2.0
There are things about this I liked, but overall it was uneven in tone and characterisation, particularly of the protagonist. People do contain contradictions and multitudes, but Kris was so all over the place it was sometimes hard to believe she was the same character.
The setting did more for me, or at least the idea of it, and the juxtaposition of an earthbound city constructed on vertical levels against satellite cities orbiting overhead was a really interesting one that I wish had been explored more. I often felt I was lacking a sense of place and struggled to visualise the city as its residents experienced it.
The setting did more for me, or at least the idea of it, and the juxtaposition of an earthbound city constructed on vertical levels against satellite cities orbiting overhead was a really interesting one that I wish had been explored more. I often felt I was lacking a sense of place and struggled to visualise the city as its residents experienced it.
alaylagrace's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
3.25
kris is a badass orphan who happens to be most wanted right now. how fun. <3
tome15's review against another edition
3.0
Brandt, Gerald. The Courier. San Angeles No. t. DAW, 2016.
I have seen all the elements of Gerald Brandt’s The Courier in other places. The most intriguing element is the multileveled megacity of San Angeles. It is William Gibson’s Sprawl moved to the West Coast. Our spunky teenage motorcycle courier heroine is a character familiar from countless movies and young adult novels. So, too, are the corporate villains. In short, the novel is a fast-paced action adventure that owes a lot to Gibson’s Johnny Mnemonic. It is not groundbreaking stuff, but it is fast-paced and readable. I do wish, though, that the story did more with the McGuffin in our heroine’s courier pouch. I am sure that is being saved for later volumes, but still it is disappointing not to be immediately gratified. 3 or 3.5 stars.
I have seen all the elements of Gerald Brandt’s The Courier in other places. The most intriguing element is the multileveled megacity of San Angeles. It is William Gibson’s Sprawl moved to the West Coast. Our spunky teenage motorcycle courier heroine is a character familiar from countless movies and young adult novels. So, too, are the corporate villains. In short, the novel is a fast-paced action adventure that owes a lot to Gibson’s Johnny Mnemonic. It is not groundbreaking stuff, but it is fast-paced and readable. I do wish, though, that the story did more with the McGuffin in our heroine’s courier pouch. I am sure that is being saved for later volumes, but still it is disappointing not to be immediately gratified. 3 or 3.5 stars.
terrafyd's review against another edition
3.0
It was a fun book. A super fast read. An interesting take on a post apocalyptic world.