ferrisscottr's review against another edition
2.0
I am sorry to say that this book did absolutely nothing for me.
I was really looking forward to the possibilities after the Legion novella but I didn't care for the plot - it seemed boring and uninteresting;
I thought Sanderson did a poor job of handling the "aspects" in this tale - so much potential but in the end I found the "aspects" flat;
The mystery was not engaging and quite frankly I didn't care about any of the intrigue.
The characters: I felt no connection to them and honestly didn't care if they lived or died.
So 2 stars it is. I was leaning towards 3 stars because it is Brandon Sanderson but then I realized that it really was a 2 star book for me regardless of who wrote it.
I know there are a ton of Sanderson fans out there that are going to hate a 2 star review so fire away...all I can say is this book just didn't resonant with me.
I was really looking forward to the possibilities after the Legion novella but I didn't care for the plot - it seemed boring and uninteresting;
I thought Sanderson did a poor job of handling the "aspects" in this tale - so much potential but in the end I found the "aspects" flat;
The mystery was not engaging and quite frankly I didn't care about any of the intrigue.
The characters: I felt no connection to them and honestly didn't care if they lived or died.
So 2 stars it is. I was leaning towards 3 stars because it is Brandon Sanderson but then I realized that it really was a 2 star book for me regardless of who wrote it.
I know there are a ton of Sanderson fans out there that are going to hate a 2 star review so fire away...all I can say is this book just didn't resonant with me.
amvs1111's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Xenophobia, Mental illness, and Kidnapping
josiahdegraaf's review against another edition
4.0
Similar to the previous story in this series: an entertaining read.
Rating: 3.5 Stars (Good).
Rating: 3.5 Stars (Good).
ariabones's review against another edition
“What are you doing here?” I hissed.
“Watching out for assassins,” J.C. said.
“I’m on a date!”
“Which means you’ll be distracted,” J.C. said. “Perfect time for an assassination.”
Later
...She has a list of suspected hits as long as your psychological profile, Skinny. No proof. She’s good.”
“Wait,” Ivy said from my other side. “You’re saying that an assassin really did show up at dinner?”
“Apparently,” I replied.
That scene was a mess that me laughing and cringing at the same time.
The whole team's back together. Tobias, Ivy and J.C giving us excellent commentary and for this case, they're hired to find a body that has information on a virus causing cancer embedded in their dna. Yes, you read that right.
Another amazing read
“Watching out for assassins,” J.C. said.
“I’m on a date!”
“Which means you’ll be distracted,” J.C. said. “Perfect time for an assassination.”
Later
...She has a list of suspected hits as long as your psychological profile, Skinny. No proof. She’s good.”
“Wait,” Ivy said from my other side. “You’re saying that an assassin really did show up at dinner?”
“Apparently,” I replied.
That scene was a mess that me laughing and cringing at the same time.
The whole team's back together. Tobias, Ivy and J.C giving us excellent commentary and for this case, they're hired to find a body that has information on a virus causing cancer embedded in their dna. Yes, you read that right.
Another amazing read
hoperu's review against another edition
3.0
Another interesting little story by Sanderson. There isn't anything really wrong with it, except that it is short, so it really just feels like an episode in a longer book. Which it is, in a way. It is longer than a short story, but not really long enough to go into a lot of depth with the plot or characters. I felt a little frustrated, because I would like to have more time with Stephen and his aspects, and instead, the mystery is solved, and the story is over too soon.
alienor's review against another edition
4.0
Why can I say with with absolute confidence that Skin Deep is an highly satisfying SF thriller?
Let's start a quick investigation...
Evidence #1 : ♟The plot is brilliant.
"Yeah, great, whatever," J.C. said.
" Emotions and metaphors and stuff. Look, we've got a problem."
Captivating and fast-paced, this thriller kept me enthralled from the beginning to the end. I didn't guess who the bad guys were, well, to sum-up, I hadn't any clue of anything before Stephen.
What have we got here?
- Some computers genetic engineers who drove some weird experiments and lose a corpse - and we follow Stephen and his aspects while they investigate about it.
"Freaks," J.C. said, shifting uncomfortably.
" This is going to be about zombies. I'm calling it now."
Noooo. That's more of a data encoding process you know? Completely harmless, I'm telling you.
"Speak dumb person, please," J.C. said."
Evidence #2 : ✎ The writing is compelling, precise without never being heavy, making our reading experience pretty addictive.
"It was an unintended result that is perfectly managable, Laramie said, " and only dangerous if used maligny. And why would anyone want to do that?"
We all stared at him for a moment.
"Let's shoot him," J.C. said."
Evidence #3 : ✌ The characterization is So. Damn. Good.
That's crazy when we think about it, but these hallucinations are more flesh-out than many characters we find in a lot of books. I loved every single of them, and especially J.C who appears to be completely delusional but whose comments and reactions were so enjoyable I couldn't help but root for him. And pat his head sometimes. Brave J.C.
Icing on the cake, the fact that this book deals with insanity makes the reader properly think about what being crazy really is.
At what point does the society decide that we're crazy?
When we have hallucinations?
When we provide them rooms to live in?
When the differences between you and them are becoming increasingly blurred?
I'll let Stephen gives the speech here :
"The longer I've lived, the more I've realized everyone is neurotic in their own individual way. I have control of my psychoses. How about you?"
Conclusion : That was quite impressive! There's better be another book someday.
You can find the fun picture here.
kellsway's review against another edition
5.0
I'm not crazy, I'm compartmentalized. Unfortunately, my aspects....well, they tend to be a little unhinged.
I swear Sanderson can do no wrong. Every and anything he touches turns into Gold. Love it!!! I hope to get more about Mr Leeds and his bizarre but loveable aspects because there're so unique and entertaining.
I swear Sanderson can do no wrong. Every and anything he touches turns into Gold. Love it!!! I hope to get more about Mr Leeds and his bizarre but loveable aspects because there're so unique and entertaining.
ghostmuppet's review against another edition
3.0
I read the first book and really loved it. This one was longer than the first, and most of the aspects from the first book were back again. It also expanded on his aspects more, and how he interacts with them.
However, i felt the story did not hit the mark for me. There were some very good points to it, but i don't know - just did not gel for me.
Has not put me off from reading on follow up books.
However, i felt the story did not hit the mark for me. There were some very good points to it, but i don't know - just did not gel for me.
Has not put me off from reading on follow up books.
readerreborn's review against another edition
4.0
Another solid outing for Sanderson. Loved that the audiobook was free on Audible. I don't know if it was the writing of the narration, but for some reason I got something of a Dark Tower vibe sometimes. Am I alone in this? I know these Legion books are just side projects for Sanderson, but it would be cool to see what he could come up with if he was allowed to go further. It sort of reminds me of Dollhouse. I hope the next book is less episodic. The religious/metaphysical still throw me a little bit for some reason, which doesn't happen with any of his other books, and I can't put my finger on why. But it doesn't throw me enough that it hampers my enjoyment. Anyway, good book!