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velvetyaverage's review
emotional
funny
reflective
relaxing
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? It's complicated
4.75
intothevolcano's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-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
4.25
the_grimdragon's review
4.0
“Tea. It tastes like nothing here no matter how hard I concentrate on the memory of the flavors. Ice cream too. A lot of food, actually. And smells. Fresh laundry, mowed grass, petrichor, the skin of a partner… I miss hot showers and the tactile joy of putting a vinyl record on the turntable. Cracking open a real, physical book and turning the pages.” His voice steadily rises, eyes blazing and glossy. “I miss looking forward to the weekend. I miss sex. I miss packages waiting at my door. I miss pain. Isn’t that bizarre? Stubbing my toe or falling on my ass or sipping coffee that’s too hot, just as the reminder that I’m alive and I feel!"
cakt1991's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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
I received an ARC from the author and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
In the handful of books I’ve read from Al Hess, he’s always been able to surprise me with fun, out-there, yet cozy and queer-centric takes on familiar concepts, and Yours Celestially is no different. Partly an homage to an earlier (now unpublished series), which admittedly I haven’t read, it was still a delight in its own way, as I knew it would be, from the moment I heard the book’s pitch involved the likes of “biblically accurate AI, completely bonkers visuals, and bionic penis jokes!”
The world is a lot of fun, and simultaneously feels familiar (whether or not you know the prior series) and completely new, as well as like an incredibly trippy adventure with a squishy, reassuring message at its core. I loved the blend of the futuristic tech with deeper, eternal themes, like how harmful certain sects of religion are in pushing bigoted legislation that harms queer people.
The central characters are also delightful. I was immediately more drawn to Metatron, loving both the quirky, humorous side of them, as well as the deeper romantic side as they grapple with their feelings for someone and whether that someone returns their feelings. It’s so unexpected, given how most people think of AI, and I couldn’t help but root for them every step of the way.
But the human lead, Sasha, is also compelling. He has his own complicated issues to work through, while simultaneously also feeling Metatron’s, via their connection, and having to serve as a rather unconventional wingman. The portrayal of ADHD is compellingly drawn, and I like how that relates to his drug addiction, thanks to the technological advancements of the future, with all medications being easy to acquire without thinking about it, including those used for illicit means. I also appreciated how issues like his situation being divorced and how it impacted his relationship with his daughter, who he doesn’t have primary custody of, as well as the deeper examination of his pathology, with him being rather closed-off, instead of confiding in people who care for him.
I had some mixed feelings when I found out that this book would juggle two romances, as that can sometimes be very hit-or-miss. While I don’t know that either love interest felt as well-defined to me as either Sasha or Metatron were, given the story is from their perspectives, I did feel that they had chemistry with their respective love interests.
With it being on the lighter side of sci-fi, there’s not a lot of action, but that’s not to say there’s nothing of interest that happens. While it’s cozier and more introspective, I found myself quickly drawn into these characters and their world, with it keeping my attention from beginning to end.
This is a fun read, and I’d recommend it to readers looking for a lighthearted, cozy queer take on the sci-fi genre.
chippyreads's review
5.0
Salutations :::::)
This is my second Al Hess book and I’m officially obsessed.
Cosy queer sci fi that deals with some big themes (please see content warnings from the author below)
Although this book deals with some heavy themes, the lightheartedness and humour does an excelent job at balancing it out and leaving you with the fuzzy feels.
Due to this book's cosy nature/low stakes it was really easy to pick up and read throughout my week. Not once did I feel lost in a way that was bad. Even though the book is very strange and takes you to a limbo world where anything can happen I was still able to follow along and understand the characters motivations.
I love that Sasha pops antacids like they’re candy to try to subdue the symptoms of Metatrson’s feelings. As someone with anxiety and acid reflux I really felt that one in the gut.
I really appreciate the Found Family Trope and love seeing relationships deepen within the text. There's a reason for every character who is introduced and I enjoyed how they all seemed to have a connection somehow.
Al Hess is officially an auto read author! Can’t wait for Key Lime Sky.
Thanks so much to the author for gifting me the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The following content warnings and rep are direct from the authors website.
Content warnings:
past drug addiction, divorce, mentions of car wreck, discussion of death, brief violence, profanity, brief mention of suicide and past self-harm, brief mentions of transphobia, mentions of Christianity and biblical iconography (seraphs, cherubs, etc.), mild sexual elements, depression and anxiety, vomiting
Rep: Gay, bisexual, queer, trans, non-binary, and asexual characters; M/M and NBi/M romance
ADHD main character; autistic love interest; love interest with anxiety and past trauma
This is my second Al Hess book and I’m officially obsessed.
Cosy queer sci fi that deals with some big themes (please see content warnings from the author below)
Although this book deals with some heavy themes, the lightheartedness and humour does an excelent job at balancing it out and leaving you with the fuzzy feels.
Due to this book's cosy nature/low stakes it was really easy to pick up and read throughout my week. Not once did I feel lost in a way that was bad. Even though the book is very strange and takes you to a limbo world where anything can happen I was still able to follow along and understand the characters motivations.
I love that Sasha pops antacids like they’re candy to try to subdue the symptoms of Metatrson’s feelings. As someone with anxiety and acid reflux I really felt that one in the gut.
I really appreciate the Found Family Trope and love seeing relationships deepen within the text. There's a reason for every character who is introduced and I enjoyed how they all seemed to have a connection somehow.
Al Hess is officially an auto read author! Can’t wait for Key Lime Sky.
Thanks so much to the author for gifting me the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The following content warnings and rep are direct from the authors website.
Content warnings:
past drug addiction, divorce, mentions of car wreck, discussion of death, brief violence, profanity, brief mention of suicide and past self-harm, brief mentions of transphobia, mentions of Christianity and biblical iconography (seraphs, cherubs, etc.), mild sexual elements, depression and anxiety, vomiting
Rep: Gay, bisexual, queer, trans, non-binary, and asexual characters; M/M and NBi/M romance
ADHD main character; autistic love interest; love interest with anxiety and past trauma