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cherrick8's review against another edition
4.0
This book is a fast-paced, science fiction action novel. I enjoyed the characters and the story, it kept me interested from start to finish. Can't wait to read the next one.
clarke11235's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
morganelon22's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
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? Yes
4.0
raven_morgan's review against another edition
Officially calling this a did not finish.
Not a bad book, just not for me.
Not a bad book, just not for me.
hawkeyegough's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was a lot of fun and had an original concept that shone as the backbone of the plot. Once it got going, it built on itself in a realistic (if somewhat hammy) way. This book reads like if Joe Everyman suddenly had the spirit of James Bond mixed with General Sherman shoved into his head. While this has been done before in fiction, I feel that where this book stands alone is the way the spirits - better classified as aliens - are shown to be manipulating our history throughout time for their own goals. I won’t go too far into this to avoid spoilers, but this aspect felt deep and as realistic as brain-hopping incorporeal aliens can get in a fun setting that is happy to bend some of the rules of reality.
Another refreshing addition to this two-brains-one-body scenario is that the “host” can largely shut out his passenger and ignore him if the whim strikes to do so. That plus the fact that the main character and host begins to feel remorse and even malaise because he’s fighting for a cause that’s literally alien to him. This moral evaluation by the main character felt like it fit well in what is a slightly darker take on familiar action and adventure plot points.
If the reader allows himself to go along with Wesley Chu on his debut novel and embrace the tone and style he uses to great effect, it all comes together in a really entertaining package. I think most people would enjoy this book, and I’m planning to pick up the next one so I can follow the journey to the next stop.
Another refreshing addition to this two-brains-one-body scenario is that the “host” can largely shut out his passenger and ignore him if the whim strikes to do so. That plus the fact that the main character and host begins to feel remorse and even malaise because he’s fighting for a cause that’s literally alien to him. This moral evaluation by the main character felt like it fit well in what is a slightly darker take on familiar action and adventure plot points.
If the reader allows himself to go along with Wesley Chu on his debut novel and embrace the tone and style he uses to great effect, it all comes together in a really entertaining package. I think most people would enjoy this book, and I’m planning to pick up the next one so I can follow the journey to the next stop.
wickedmitch's review against another edition
5.0
This book provides a fresh take on the old trope of aliens inhabiting human bodies and manipulating world affairs. It tells a rather engaging story as well and I enjoyed it quite a bit.
estanceveyrac's review against another edition
DNF, chapter 19, a bit over 200 pages.
I forced myself to read way longer that I would have, had I not acquired all three volumes of the triology...
It's a very boy-ish book. Like peak mediocrity of toxic masculinity. A whiny dude, obnoxious, can't stand that in life, won't read about it in my free time.
I forced myself to read way longer that I would have, had I not acquired all three volumes of the triology...
It's a very boy-ish book. Like peak mediocrity of toxic masculinity. A whiny dude, obnoxious, can't stand that in life, won't read about it in my free time.
fakespy87's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
odin45mp's review against another edition
3.0
I met the author briefly at GenCon this year, which inspired me to pull this back up out of my "Kindle Daily Deal Purchases that I will read Someday in the Distant Future" pile. It is a fast read, and has some entertaining moments. I loved the interplay between the main character Roen and his alien symbiont Tao. The basic plot is that humanity has been secretly manipulated by a noncorporeal alien species that has been conducting bloody ideological wars amongst itself for most of recorded human history. Tao is one of the good guys' top agents, but his host is killed and he is forced to take up residence in IT slob Roen. Insert a couple of training montages and Roen is ready to learn how to be a top spy. Many of the secondary characters are thin enough that you can't see them when they turn sideways, including people who should factor deeply in Roen's life, like his roommate and girlfriend. The book has its flaws, but it has some good ideas and was a first novel. I will be checking out the rest of the series, and hopefully Chu is steered by a stronger editorial hand, because I see potential here.