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megsbookishtwins's review against another edition
2.0
Disclaimer: I received this free from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
Leo, along with Orion and Libra, were not born on Earth. They were born in space, on the Moon 2 Space Station. They’ve never had to walk with gravity and they aren’t deemed strong enough to go back to Earth until they are 16 years old. However, when they make it to Earth, there are unexpected consequences to their arrival.
Satellite is a book that I think will be either a hit or miss to a lot of people depending on how they take to the writing style. It is written in text speak, narrated by Leo. There is no capital letters, little punctuation, and abbreviated words. I’m not sure on why this type of writing style was chosen, perhaps to highlight Leo’s youth and perhaps his distance and unfamiliarity to Earth?
I do have to say though, I am slightly disappointed in this read. I was expecting a science fiction read full of thrilling survivalist scenes in space. I was expecting something like The Martian for teens, a ‘ highly original space thriller’. Satellite had a promising opening full of science and intense scenes. However, after about the 20% mark, they made their way to Earth, and then the action stopped and the pacing lagged. Little happened and the mystery and ‘conspiracy’ was hardly there and I guessed it from the get-go.
The characters were a highlight of this book. Leo is a dreamer and a thinker. He wants nothing more than to follow in his mother’s footsteps to be an astronaut. Libra is an aspiring botanist, who longed for the day she could step onto Earth and tend to her own garden. Orion was a favourite; a music and poetry lover. I do really wish we saw more of their relationship and friendship though. Also, it was never stated on-page, but Leo is gay and showed romantic interest in Orion.
Overall, definitely not a bad book just not the book for me. I loved the science, and loved the premise, was fond of the characters but wasn’t overly fond of the pacing or the plot of the book. If it seems like your thing then go for it, I believe it will work for some people, and not for others.
Leo, along with Orion and Libra, were not born on Earth. They were born in space, on the Moon 2 Space Station. They’ve never had to walk with gravity and they aren’t deemed strong enough to go back to Earth until they are 16 years old. However, when they make it to Earth, there are unexpected consequences to their arrival.
Satellite is a book that I think will be either a hit or miss to a lot of people depending on how they take to the writing style. It is written in text speak, narrated by Leo. There is no capital letters, little punctuation, and abbreviated words. I’m not sure on why this type of writing style was chosen, perhaps to highlight Leo’s youth and perhaps his distance and unfamiliarity to Earth?
I do have to say though, I am slightly disappointed in this read. I was expecting a science fiction read full of thrilling survivalist scenes in space. I was expecting something like The Martian for teens, a ‘ highly original space thriller’. Satellite had a promising opening full of science and intense scenes. However, after about the 20% mark, they made their way to Earth, and then the action stopped and the pacing lagged. Little happened and the mystery and ‘conspiracy’ was hardly there and I guessed it from the get-go.
The characters were a highlight of this book. Leo is a dreamer and a thinker. He wants nothing more than to follow in his mother’s footsteps to be an astronaut. Libra is an aspiring botanist, who longed for the day she could step onto Earth and tend to her own garden. Orion was a favourite; a music and poetry lover. I do really wish we saw more of their relationship and friendship though. Also, it was never stated on-page, but Leo is gay and showed romantic interest in Orion.
Overall, definitely not a bad book just not the book for me. I loved the science, and loved the premise, was fond of the characters but wasn’t overly fond of the pacing or the plot of the book. If it seems like your thing then go for it, I believe it will work for some people, and not for others.
librarydancer's review
5.0
4.5 stars
Compelling YA story about a child born on a space station and his dreams of what will happen when he can finally get to earth.
The text of this story is very frustrating -- it's written in text speak, so capitals and abbreviations are everywhere. There are paragraphs and sentences, and the story was engaging enough to overcome this hugh challenge for me. Teens may not have the difficulty with the writing style the way I did.
Compelling YA story about a child born on a space station and his dreams of what will happen when he can finally get to earth.
The text of this story is very frustrating -- it's written in text speak, so capitals and abbreviations are everywhere. There are paragraphs and sentences, and the story was engaging enough to overcome this hugh challenge for me. Teens may not have the difficulty with the writing style the way I did.
hayrhilee's review
5.0
“I have always loved, like the moon loves the earth. Now I know how the earth loves the moon”
jennrocca's review
2.0
I guess I could go up to 3 stars. It was OK. It had its moments. Internal inconsistencies detract from the overall experience.
loiereads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
☆ STORY:
This book has such an interesting concept; to be born and raised in space, but then journey to earth. Does that technically mean you’re an alien? But you’re still human… it’s interesting to think about. Not to mention the morality of it, and the science behind what would happen to your body after going from 0g to 1g. I found it fascinating.
The story was a little slow for the first half, but not in an unenjoyable way. Everything was pretty relevant to the story. There were a few turns in the story that I wasn’t expecting and had me hooked throughout the whole book.
I did feel as though it may have been a tad long, and come the end of the book, I was looking forward to getting to the end and seeing how everything turned out.
☆ WRITING STYLE:
The book is written in a text-talk style, which is actually quite distracting and hard to get into at the start. It made it a little hard to concentrate, but once I got used to it, it was easy enough to read through.
☆ CHARACTERS:
The characters were interesting in their own ways, but I didn’t feel that strongly towards any of them, to be honest. I found Leo a little unbearable at times, especially when it came to his views towards his mother. I think he was a little harsh towards her, and it would have been nice to have seen their relationship positively develop a little more towards the end.
☆ ATMOSPHERE/VIBE:
I loved the space vibes. I didn’t feel as though sciencey terms were being shoved down my throat and I could easily follow along with everything that was happening. I loved the description and explanation of everything. The author has a really great way of helping you to envision exactly what’s going on. There’s also some really beautiful poetic writing in there as well which I really enjoyed.
Overall this was a great read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
This book has such an interesting concept; to be born and raised in space, but then journey to earth. Does that technically mean you’re an alien? But you’re still human… it’s interesting to think about. Not to mention the morality of it, and the science behind what would happen to your body after going from 0g to 1g. I found it fascinating.
The story was a little slow for the first half, but not in an unenjoyable way. Everything was pretty relevant to the story. There were a few turns in the story that I wasn’t expecting and had me hooked throughout the whole book.
I did feel as though it may have been a tad long, and come the end of the book, I was looking forward to getting to the end and seeing how everything turned out.
☆ WRITING STYLE:
The book is written in a text-talk style, which is actually quite distracting and hard to get into at the start. It made it a little hard to concentrate, but once I got used to it, it was easy enough to read through.
☆ CHARACTERS:
The characters were interesting in their own ways, but I didn’t feel that strongly towards any of them, to be honest. I found Leo a little unbearable at times, especially when it came to his views towards his mother. I think he was a little harsh towards her, and it would have been nice to have seen their relationship positively develop a little more towards the end.
☆ ATMOSPHERE/VIBE:
I loved the space vibes. I didn’t feel as though sciencey terms were being shoved down my throat and I could easily follow along with everything that was happening. I loved the description and explanation of everything. The author has a really great way of helping you to envision exactly what’s going on. There’s also some really beautiful poetic writing in there as well which I really enjoyed.
Overall this was a great read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
katykelly's review
5.0
From the stars to the Earth... another winner from Lake
Nick Lake has already several excellent and very different Young Adult novels under his belt, winning awards, acclaim and many fans with his thrillers, exciting plots, great teenage characters.
Here is another unique story, and one I can foresee is likely to appear on award nomination lists. Teenagers born in space are preparing to see Earth for the first time, and all that that will entail - a whole bunch of 'firsts' and experiences every other teen takes for granted. Leo and his close friends Orion and Libra have spent their entire lives being raised in space, and now 16, are deemed strong enough to make the journey back 'home' to a planet they have seen but never touched.
The story takes in the space station they live on, their tense preparations down and what happens when they make contact... with mankind and the natural world that to them is anything but natural.
There's science here, but also a lot of imagination. I love the thought that's gone into how they feel about what they will experience, each of the three has particular preoccupations and loves and are looking forward to different aspects of Earth life.
It's rather beautiful at times, as Leo takes in a breeze, a fire, even the love of an animal.
This manages to include a treatise on family while making the strange situation of the teens the focus. Leo's mother is cold and scientific in everything, never offering warmth, hugs or the comfort of a parent to her son. She allows us a glimpse of the astronaut life through her devotion to duty.
There are a few moments where you must suspend disbelief, but, with the story presented, this is to be expected.
It is not hard to find yourself caught up in the emotion of the story, as the three adjust (or otherwise) to life on Earth. There are some moments you may find a tear in your eye. Family, love and the idea of 'home' are going to make this a popular read.
Some beautiful moments, a superb original concept (would be great to see this adapted for the screen) and a plot that keeps your attention and heart until the very last page.
One for older readers, ages 13-16. And adults shouldn't shy away just because it's a Young Adult title, it's excellent.
With thanks to Netgalley for the advance reading copy.
Nick Lake has already several excellent and very different Young Adult novels under his belt, winning awards, acclaim and many fans with his thrillers, exciting plots, great teenage characters.
Here is another unique story, and one I can foresee is likely to appear on award nomination lists. Teenagers born in space are preparing to see Earth for the first time, and all that that will entail - a whole bunch of 'firsts' and experiences every other teen takes for granted. Leo and his close friends Orion and Libra have spent their entire lives being raised in space, and now 16, are deemed strong enough to make the journey back 'home' to a planet they have seen but never touched.
The story takes in the space station they live on, their tense preparations down and what happens when they make contact... with mankind and the natural world that to them is anything but natural.
There's science here, but also a lot of imagination. I love the thought that's gone into how they feel about what they will experience, each of the three has particular preoccupations and loves and are looking forward to different aspects of Earth life.
It's rather beautiful at times, as Leo takes in a breeze, a fire, even the love of an animal.
This manages to include a treatise on family while making the strange situation of the teens the focus. Leo's mother is cold and scientific in everything, never offering warmth, hugs or the comfort of a parent to her son. She allows us a glimpse of the astronaut life through her devotion to duty.
There are a few moments where you must suspend disbelief, but, with the story presented, this is to be expected.
It is not hard to find yourself caught up in the emotion of the story, as the three adjust (or otherwise) to life on Earth. There are some moments you may find a tear in your eye. Family, love and the idea of 'home' are going to make this a popular read.
Some beautiful moments, a superb original concept (would be great to see this adapted for the screen) and a plot that keeps your attention and heart until the very last page.
One for older readers, ages 13-16. And adults shouldn't shy away just because it's a Young Adult title, it's excellent.
With thanks to Netgalley for the advance reading copy.
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review
1.0
1/5
The book felt really long and it was sometimes hard to follow. Especially with the way the author wrote the book. I felt like the book could have been a couple hundred pages less.
The book felt really long and it was sometimes hard to follow. Especially with the way the author wrote the book. I felt like the book could have been a couple hundred pages less.
gj377's review
2.0
I received an advance copy of this book through Net Galley as I was excited by the premise - I wanted to like this book, but it was such a let down. The idea held a lot of promise and I was hoping for a plot that explored the life of these kids back on earth - perhaps interspersed with newspaper article or press releases - something that gave us a window onto a wider plot without requiring a voice apart from Leo's (the main character).
However, I really lost interest in the plot in the second half, I thought it was weak and unbelievable. And the very worst thing was the language - I just couldn't get into it. Instead of 'see' it's 'c', & instead of 'and', u, ur and u're - but apparently these kids have been having remote school lessons all their life, including literature. If this kid can spell susurrus, he can spell 'you' properly. But we need to know it's the future, so he has to talk slightly weird. The 'text-speak' language made it impossible to sink into the story - you don't buy into someone's emotional plight or take their career expertise seriously when it's a struggle to read it. Equally the gimmicky 'fashions', where women can have genetically modified beards and everyone wears mascara and nail polish. I'm pretty sure cattle ranch-hands wouldn't be wearing nail polish, even in the future. And most of the scientist and the ranch hands are men, but the astronauts who acted as 'babysitters' were women of course! Instead of men wearing nail polish, why don't you just have a future free of gender-stereotyped roles. And these things were just shoe-horned in and basically forgotten about later in the book.
Other readers have commented on the positivity of a POC main character group (agreed!), and that Leo is gay without it being a big deal (also great) - but on the latter point there was a part that really grated with me. When asked if he wants kids, Leo replies that he can't have that, not in the 'conventional manner' so it doesn't matter if he spends his whole life in space. Why oh why do you have a normalised LGBTQ character and then ruin it with stupid comments like this!!
I could say a lot more because I was really disappointed by this book. It's like The Martian crossed with The Hunger Games - with less science and more bad grammar. Give this one a miss.
However, I really lost interest in the plot in the second half, I thought it was weak and unbelievable. And the very worst thing was the language - I just couldn't get into it. Instead of 'see' it's 'c', & instead of 'and', u, ur and u're - but apparently these kids have been having remote school lessons all their life, including literature. If this kid can spell susurrus, he can spell 'you' properly. But we need to know it's the future, so he has to talk slightly weird. The 'text-speak' language made it impossible to sink into the story - you don't buy into someone's emotional plight or take their career expertise seriously when it's a struggle to read it. Equally the gimmicky 'fashions', where women can have genetically modified beards and everyone wears mascara and nail polish. I'm pretty sure cattle ranch-hands wouldn't be wearing nail polish, even in the future. And most of the scientist and the ranch hands are men, but the astronauts who acted as 'babysitters' were women of course! Instead of men wearing nail polish, why don't you just have a future free of gender-stereotyped roles. And these things were just shoe-horned in and basically forgotten about later in the book.
Other readers have commented on the positivity of a POC main character group (agreed!), and that Leo is gay without it being a big deal (also great) - but on the latter point there was a part that really grated with me. When asked if he wants kids, Leo replies that he can't have that, not in the 'conventional manner' so it doesn't matter if he spends his whole life in space. Why oh why do you have a normalised LGBTQ character and then ruin it with stupid comments like this!!
I could say a lot more because I was really disappointed by this book. It's like The Martian crossed with The Hunger Games - with less science and more bad grammar. Give this one a miss.
sleepysncring's review against another edition
the textspeak..... free me
i will try to read this again soon but not today
i will try to read this again soon but not today
kxtiebooks's review
4.0
I definitely would have given it a full five stars if it wasn’t for the unusual choice of grammar throughout the book. However, one you get past the writing style it is an incredibly great story with so much detail and I went through every feeling I can possibly think of. Would recommend. I loved it - perfect for anyone who is a little bit of a space nerd like me.