mazza57's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this enough to consider reading the next in the series. A retelling of the Arthurain legend of the round table with a backward aging Merlin and a constantly changing Arthur - we are now on Arthur no 42. Add into the mix that sexual identity has a greater variety of colours and we are in the age of space. None of the age-old problems around people getting on well together, democracy or its alternates have changed much. It has a quirky comic narrative and will appeal to the young adult and the older fantasist alike. I am neither but certainly would recommend it
queensflame's review against another edition
4.0
YOOO SOO THIS BOOK WAS SOOOOO FREAKING GOOD. First off, this cast is full of LGBT+ rep, especially with the two main characters. From my understandings of definitions & sexualities, I’ve done my best to conclude this as the list of rep (but anyone else who has read the book, please feel free to correct me if I am wrong or add something in!): there is non-binary rep, gay and lesbian rep (m/m relationships, f/f relationships), pansexual / bisexual rep, and ace rep. There is only one straight character. In addition, there is rep for a disabled side character and POCs within main and side cast.
As for what I thought:
My favorite thing about this book was the huge cast of characters. The main point of views we see are from Merlin and Ari. Merlin is probably my favorite character out of the whole book. He has aged backwards through time, going from old man to teenager with this latest Arthur reincarnation. So he’s lived through our 20th/21st Century and he references SO many things from today’s world and pop culture. It made me chuckle a few times and I appreciated the reminders that this was definitely far in the future. Ari was also a quick favorite. She’s badass, funny, super smart, and very witty. She just brings a new, unique life to the Arthur we know from the legend. Every single supporting character brings the story so much more – you’ve got Gwen, and Kay, and Lam and Val, even Morgana…(Morgana, Lam and Val are my next favorite after Merlin and Ari). I know that everyone will fall in love with this cast.
Regarding the plot line, y’all are in for a WILD ride let me tell you. This plot is moving from start to finish, action to action. There are literally NO dry spots in the plot. Either the characters are moving, or you’re being thrown a new piece of information, or a plot twist; the reveals for who the reincarnations are are also so much fun. Anyways, the setting of the futuristic society works with this retelling. It brings an exciting twist to the tale of King Arthur, and I really couldn’t put this book down. It was so non-stop. My only.....
SEE THE REST ON: https://morrbooks.wordpress.com/2018/12/09/arc-review-once-future/
As for what I thought:
My favorite thing about this book was the huge cast of characters. The main point of views we see are from Merlin and Ari. Merlin is probably my favorite character out of the whole book. He has aged backwards through time, going from old man to teenager with this latest Arthur reincarnation. So he’s lived through our 20th/21st Century and he references SO many things from today’s world and pop culture. It made me chuckle a few times and I appreciated the reminders that this was definitely far in the future. Ari was also a quick favorite. She’s badass, funny, super smart, and very witty. She just brings a new, unique life to the Arthur we know from the legend. Every single supporting character brings the story so much more – you’ve got Gwen, and Kay, and Lam and Val, even Morgana…(Morgana, Lam and Val are my next favorite after Merlin and Ari). I know that everyone will fall in love with this cast.
Regarding the plot line, y’all are in for a WILD ride let me tell you. This plot is moving from start to finish, action to action. There are literally NO dry spots in the plot. Either the characters are moving, or you’re being thrown a new piece of information, or a plot twist; the reveals for who the reincarnations are are also so much fun. Anyways, the setting of the futuristic society works with this retelling. It brings an exciting twist to the tale of King Arthur, and I really couldn’t put this book down. It was so non-stop. My only.....
SEE THE REST ON: https://morrbooks.wordpress.com/2018/12/09/arc-review-once-future/
rachofspades's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
randomplayer2000's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This goes on my list of great retelling. I do like the sci-fi/futuristic element to it. It's was pretty good and very diverse.
cristalya's review against another edition
3.0
On est sur un roman qui est une réécriture de la légende arthurienne en version futuriste et en SF. On suit l’histoire sous deux points de vue, celui de Ari, qui est une des réincarnations du Roi Arthur, et celui de Merlin.
Le roman nous propose une version qui réutilise quelques bases de la légende arthurienne, pour ensuite partir sur son propre univers de SF. C’est un univers plutôt sympa à suivre, entre différentes planètes, dans des environnements divers tels que des lieux désertiques ou alors complètement à l’opposé avec une planète glaciale.
Je dois dire que j’ai parfois eu un peu de mal avec l’écriture. J’avais l’impression que l’on passait parfois d’une situation à une autre en une ou deux phrases seulement, ce qui me paraissait précipité, comme si j’avais loupé un paragraphe entre les deux.
Le plus gros point positif de ce roman est la représentation. C’est clairement le roman avec la plus grande représentation queer que j’ai pu voir jusqu’ici. Et c’est clairement un univers où chacun peut être ce qu’il est, et c’est tellement cool de voir ça. Ainsi, pour exemple, on a des personnages gays, queers, asexuels, non-binaires, mais aussi des personnages de différentes ethnies. Franchement, j’ai trouvé vraiment génial de voir autant de personnages différents tout en montrant que c’est une normalité que chacun soit accepté comme il est vraiment.
La fin annonce les prémices du second tome et la quête que poursuivront les personnages, et je suis assez curieuse de connaître la suite.
Pour conclure, j’ai plutôt bien apprécié ma lecture malgré une écriture qui me plaisait parfois moins. En revanche, une superbe représentation queer, ce que j’ai adoré, dans une histoire qui est sympathique à suivre dans un univers de SF.
Note de 3,5/5
Le roman nous propose une version qui réutilise quelques bases de la légende arthurienne, pour ensuite partir sur son propre univers de SF. C’est un univers plutôt sympa à suivre, entre différentes planètes, dans des environnements divers tels que des lieux désertiques ou alors complètement à l’opposé avec une planète glaciale.
Je dois dire que j’ai parfois eu un peu de mal avec l’écriture. J’avais l’impression que l’on passait parfois d’une situation à une autre en une ou deux phrases seulement, ce qui me paraissait précipité, comme si j’avais loupé un paragraphe entre les deux.
Le plus gros point positif de ce roman est la représentation. C’est clairement le roman avec la plus grande représentation queer que j’ai pu voir jusqu’ici. Et c’est clairement un univers où chacun peut être ce qu’il est, et c’est tellement cool de voir ça. Ainsi, pour exemple, on a des personnages gays, queers, asexuels, non-binaires, mais aussi des personnages de différentes ethnies. Franchement, j’ai trouvé vraiment génial de voir autant de personnages différents tout en montrant que c’est une normalité que chacun soit accepté comme il est vraiment.
La fin annonce les prémices du second tome et la quête que poursuivront les personnages, et je suis assez curieuse de connaître la suite.
Pour conclure, j’ai plutôt bien apprécié ma lecture malgré une écriture qui me plaisait parfois moins. En revanche, une superbe représentation queer, ce que j’ai adoré, dans une histoire qui est sympathique à suivre dans un univers de SF.
Note de 3,5/5
jbojkov's review against another edition
4.0
A space opera retelling of the King Arthur myth (?) with lots of gender-bending/fluidity of the characters. I liked the twists the authors took with the story. I think it was well-written and compelling. There is romance- so if a reader is not interested in that- this may not be the book for them.
bronwyn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
melodierhae's review against another edition
4.0
I love love love this story.
But- this book tried to pack SO MUCH action that at times I felt behind. I had to reread several pages and chapters to get back on track between the stuffed plot and choppy editing.
That said, Amy and Cori put together a powerhouse of a King Arthur reimagining. I will say, at the beginning I worried that the reviews were right: this was fanfic with LGBTQIAP+ characters.
No. This is so much better. The reimaginings of the round table knights were full and (pardon me) well-rounded characters.
This is one you’ll need to carve out time to read and really digest. But it’s worth it.
But- this book tried to pack SO MUCH action that at times I felt behind. I had to reread several pages and chapters to get back on track between the stuffed plot and choppy editing.
That said, Amy and Cori put together a powerhouse of a King Arthur reimagining. I will say, at the beginning I worried that the reviews were right: this was fanfic with LGBTQIAP+ characters.
No. This is so much better. The reimaginings of the round table knights were full and (pardon me) well-rounded characters.
This is one you’ll need to carve out time to read and really digest. But it’s worth it.
lindsaysbookclub's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
medium-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? Yes
3.5
sarsev's review against another edition
4.0
Once & Future is basically a future-punk, anti-capitalist, overtly queer sequel to T. H. White's Once and Future King set in SPACE. It's a hell of a ride. It's a lot of fun, and occasionally very intense, and is completely extra about every little thing in the best way possible.
And yeah, did I put off reading it because I've studied way too much medieval lit and am as such a complete pain in the ass about any claims to be "Arthurian"? Yes. But my problem with so-called retellings of Arthurian lit is that while there is technically a canon, it's not a consistent thing and it basically never takes itself totally seriously. It's all fanfiction upon fanfiction upon fanfiction of a fake history of Britain. (Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Brittaniae. Which I'm only bothering to cite because it's a complete trip and absolutely worth reading just for kicks).
Once & Future does a fabulous job with not taking itself too seriously. It's also abundantly clear that it is only based on White's Once and Future King and that it's drawing from nothing else, which is honestly kind of a bummer. But it's only a bummer because I once spent so much goddamn time on medieval lit.
I ended up loving this book, because obviously it's a SPACE ROMP with a LADY KING and BASICALLY EVERYONE IS QUEER and let's be honest, that's the best.
(That being said, the mid-book time jump is more than a little bit of a cop-out. And so is basically all of the handling of the Lancelot reveal. But whatever. Space romp!)
And yeah, did I put off reading it because I've studied way too much medieval lit and am as such a complete pain in the ass about any claims to be "Arthurian"? Yes. But my problem with so-called retellings of Arthurian lit is that while there is technically a canon, it's not a consistent thing and it basically never takes itself totally seriously. It's all fanfiction upon fanfiction upon fanfiction of a fake history of Britain. (Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Brittaniae. Which I'm only bothering to cite because it's a complete trip and absolutely worth reading just for kicks).
Once & Future does a fabulous job with not taking itself too seriously. It's also abundantly clear that it is only based on White's Once and Future King and that it's drawing from nothing else, which is honestly kind of a bummer. But it's only a bummer because I once spent so much goddamn time on medieval lit.
I ended up loving this book, because obviously it's a SPACE ROMP with a LADY KING and BASICALLY EVERYONE IS QUEER and let's be honest, that's the best.
(That being said, the mid-book time jump is more than a little bit of a cop-out. And so is basically all of the handling of the Lancelot reveal. But whatever. Space romp!)