riahwamby's review
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
ohmage_resistance's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
sizhucchi's review
4.0
Beautiful diversity.
I love the diverse main cast. I love the casual portrayal of different sexualities. Bryn and Mama D are a particular favorite.
I look forward to following the rest of the adventure.
Seriously? Science fiction fantasy conspiracies and diversity are my jam. (here's hoping for a canon ace character in the future!)
I love the diverse main cast. I love the casual portrayal of different sexualities. Bryn and Mama D are a particular favorite.
I look forward to following the rest of the adventure.
Seriously? Science fiction fantasy conspiracies and diversity are my jam. (here's hoping for a canon ace character in the future!)
marsspider42's review
adventurous
mysterious
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
I found this book a fun and interesting take on sci-fi set on Mars, and I enjoyed the time travel aspect of it. I thought it was well executed and the characters were likable. However, it has a distinctly ‘amateurish’ feel to the writing style that I can’t quite explain. In some points it seems to jump between plot conveniences instead of well establishing motivations.
This book has demisexual main character representation that I really enjoyed (where the label demisexual is actually used), and one of the other main characters is in the process of questioning their relationship to sexual attraction throughout the book. It doesn’t get resolved in this book, but I assume it does later in the series - I think it’s a good call for them to not have it resolved at top speed in one book, and have it take sever books instead, which is more realistic.
Overall a good YA novel with interesting sci-fi elements and a compelling original story and universe. I don’t think I will be finishing the series, but I enjoyed reading this nonetheless!
This book has demisexual main character representation that I really enjoyed (where the label demisexual is actually used), and one of the other main characters is in the process of questioning their relationship to sexual attraction throughout the book. It doesn’t get resolved in this book, but I assume it does later in the series - I think it’s a good call for them to not have it resolved at top speed in one book, and have it take sever books instead, which is more realistic.
Overall a good YA novel with interesting sci-fi elements and a compelling original story and universe. I don’t think I will be finishing the series, but I enjoyed reading this nonetheless!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation and Classism
Moderate: Acephobia/Arophobia and Police brutality
flaviaaalouise's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars
Really cool and enjoyable read with on-page demisexual as well as potential asexual rep.
Really cool and enjoyable read with on-page demisexual as well as potential asexual rep.
yccngz's review against another edition
4.0
Fourth World is a wonderful novel that bring space aces to life. Set on Mars, many years in the future, this novel explores issues we deal with today. The plot is compelling and the story keeps you hooked till the last page.
10/10 representation, very fun to read, I strongly recommend it.
10/10 representation, very fun to read, I strongly recommend it.
moniquemct's review
3.0
I received a copy of this book for free through NetGalley
Not going to lie, I always see Keke Palmer when I look at that cover. I liked this book but I didn't love it. Nothing exciting really stood out for me. The characters were great but I felt that the story dragged a little. I probably won't continue on with the series and I would recommend checking out some other reviews if this sounds like your kind of book.
Not going to lie, I always see Keke Palmer when I look at that cover. I liked this book but I didn't love it. Nothing exciting really stood out for me. The characters were great but I felt that the story dragged a little. I probably won't continue on with the series and I would recommend checking out some other reviews if this sounds like your kind of book.
zanitd's review
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
This book checks off all my boxes: humorous, likable main characters, sci-fi that feels like fantasy, a "familiar world" in the future, mars, stars, time travel, environmental science, anthropology and paleontology, social injustice, ace rep, fantasy languages that don't hurt my head -- sorry, Tolkien, and a fantastic sense of mystery. This book keeps on giving. Love it so much I can look beyond its cover.
melbsreads's review
4.0
Trigger warnings: eugenics, disappearance of a parent, aphobia.
18/3/2019
I stand by everything I said last time, and I'm now very excited to jump into the sequel.
13/2/2017
Isaak lives on Mars, fifty-ish years in the future. He just wants to get through his senior year in one piece, but when he finds an ancient coin on a geological excavation, he's suddenly the government's most wanted.
Nadin's planet is dying. As the atmosphere slowly drains away, the population are confined to domed cities and subjected to extreme and disturbing measures of population control. When Isaak appears outside Nadin's domed city, she realises that he may be the only person who can help her.
Let's talk about this book in list form, shall we?
1. ACE OWN VOICES BOOK!!!!!
2. Isaak is demisexual, and it's very strongly implied that Nadin is ace. I'm assuming this will be dealt with more explicitly in the sequel, which is due out later this year.
3. TWO POC NARRATORS!!!! Isaak is Latino and Nadin is dark skinned, as is most of the population of her planet.
4. Isaak's best friend, Henry, is Indian and also kind of hilarious.
5. I loved Isaak's perspective more or less instantly.
6. It took me a while to get used to Nadin's perspective, because there was so much technological stuff to get your head around
7. There could have been more worldbuilding? Mainly around how Mars was populated, and how it seems like everyone can, you know, breathe and stuff without spacesuits and oxygen tanks and all that jazz.
8. Clearly Isaak and Nadin are going to end up getting together, and I'm totally on board with it.
9. The writing is pretty stinking great.
10. I pretty much loved everything about this.
18/3/2019
I stand by everything I said last time, and I'm now very excited to jump into the sequel.
13/2/2017
Isaak lives on Mars, fifty-ish years in the future. He just wants to get through his senior year in one piece, but when he finds an ancient coin on a geological excavation, he's suddenly the government's most wanted.
Nadin's planet is dying. As the atmosphere slowly drains away, the population are confined to domed cities and subjected to extreme and disturbing measures of population control. When Isaak appears outside Nadin's domed city, she realises that he may be the only person who can help her.
Let's talk about this book in list form, shall we?
1. ACE OWN VOICES BOOK!!!!!
2. Isaak is demisexual, and it's very strongly implied that Nadin is ace. I'm assuming this will be dealt with more explicitly in the sequel, which is due out later this year.
3. TWO POC NARRATORS!!!! Isaak is Latino and Nadin is dark skinned, as is most of the population of her planet.
4. Isaak's best friend, Henry, is Indian and also kind of hilarious.
5. I loved Isaak's perspective more or less instantly.
6. It took me a while to get used to Nadin's perspective, because there was so much technological stuff to get your head around
7. There could have been more worldbuilding? Mainly around how Mars was populated, and how it seems like everyone can, you know, breathe and stuff without spacesuits and oxygen tanks and all that jazz.
8. Clearly Isaak and Nadin are going to end up getting together, and I'm totally on board with it.
9. The writing is pretty stinking great.
10. I pretty much loved everything about this.