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montjoy0's review against another edition
3.0
If you can tolerate opposite science (such as zero gravity while under acceleration) it's an ok read. Otherwise avoid.
For some reason I'm still reading the next book. So there's that I guess.
For some reason I'm still reading the next book. So there's that I guess.
the_sunken_library's review against another edition
4.0
A little rushed at the start which at first disgruntled me until I understood is purpose. I really enjoyed the main body of this novel, time travel, paradoxes, the happy ease with which large corporations will sacrifice many humans in the name of technology and discovery. A really excellent idea. Couldn't give it 5 stars as his last book had an interpretive ending and I starting to feel he doesn't know how to end a book satisfactorily. Good though. I wish more books dealt with space and what we can do in it now and not 1000 years time.
uppermost's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
crimsoncor's review against another edition
4.0
what an odd novel. Introspective shoe-gaze science fiction. I'm trying to think of something else I've read recently that was similar and I can't really come up with anything.
unluckycat13's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I actually read this book once years ago and forgot the title, but I've thought about it many times since. I don't usually enjoy re-reading things, but enough time had passed for me to forget the finer details and resolution. I think it wasn't obvious to me previously how sci-fi this book is, really fully taking place in an alternate future. It has some weak points like a focus on cheating, drug abuse, unlikable characters, and all the norms you expect in every piece of fiction these days. Despite all that, it was still an interesting and reflective ride. Enough that I'm convinced to read the sequels.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
butteredtoastinbed's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I did not enjoy reading this story for the majority of the time. I stuck through it because I wanted to see where the story ended, but I did very nearly DNF it.
I want to start with the positives of this book because it may come across like there are none and I don’t want it to sound like I hated every second.
To start, the characters (with the exception of the main character) were pretty interesting and distinct enough for me to root for them and care about what happened to them. Also, one aspect that I see rarely done well in books is flashbacks (and their pacing), which I think this story did skilfully. Every flashback was necessary and it lasted for the right amount of time so as to not distract from the present action. Also, the story as an idea is really good and really promising, it drew me in quickly and is the only reason I stuck it out until the end.
The main thing that pulled it back is the fact that the majority of the book just felt like filler. Most of my time reading I was bored, we already knew the outcome so why do I need to sit here and have it reexplained to me in such prolonged detail. Another aspect that bothered me a lot is even with my limited understanding of physics (especially as it relates to space travel), even I could see that this was flawed enough to ruin the immersion and made me doubt if Smythe did any research before publishing. The main character also grew pretty insufferable as time went on too, which could have been intentional, but it wasn’t a type of insufferable that I've seen before that links to the story and makes the novel richer as a whole - it was just irritating. The ending was also lacking. The irony of the main character saying they enjoy a good ending to a story and then having the ending to THIS story fall so flat and could have been seen from a mile away almost made me laugh. Additionally, the writing style was informal, which usually I don’t mind, but it was informal to a fault. Aspects like using dashes at every opportunity sort of ruined the immersion at times.
Comparing this novel to Interstellar is criminal, and although it was not unbearable, and there were sections I enjoyed, this is a painful comparison.
This review can be wrapped up by saying that it felt as though this was not (or should not be) the final draft of the story. With a more scrutinous editing process, it could have been miles better than it is - the story itself is exciting and promising and I’m sad that it didn’t live up to that.
I’ve seen that the second book is much preferable than the first and I do have faith that this book could have been great so I may give the second a read - depending on how my thoughts settle a while after I have finished the first.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Suicide, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Cursing, Gore, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Medical content, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Domestic abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
aliiiaaa_x's review against another edition
3.0
Man, was this one crazy journey. I did a reread because I read it before when I was younger, and it was nothing like I remember. The climax had to be learning about what 2504… meant. I can’t remember the other two digits, but surely it was the best part. Also an interesting take on how people gaslight themselves. Damn.
rosieclaverton's review against another edition
3.0
A bit too literary for my tastes - I wouldn't class this as a crime novel, but possibly a thriller? Interesting at times, compelling at times, with some intriguing reveals, but not sure it was for me. The style was a little overinclusive and I think this would do better as a high-concept Moon-esque feature film.
patchworkbunny's review against another edition
5.0
Cormac Easton is a journalist. A journalist left on a space-ship where his crew has died; all alone, contemplating the end. What happened isn’t really the question, they died in mundane ways, things that happen in space. In a vacuum.
First off, I absolutely loved this book, gripping and clever; it kept me up reading late into the night. Set in the not too distant future, the technology is on the edge of possibility. The spaceship setting has an eerie, claustrophobic feel. For as much as space is fascinating and beautiful, it’s pretty scary place even without the threat of aliens or anything the mind can fabricate. It doesn’t take much for something to go wrong and be life threatening.
James Smythe manages to combine a first person narrative with third at the same time. That might not make sense now, but I don’t want to reveal a spoiler for the second act. This removes some of the limitations of first person whereby things not in Cormac’s knowledge are revealed to the reader and to Cormac. Going forward, the novel is full of things that don’t quite make sense at the start. It’s the stuff of nightmares that a few days without brushing your teeth will make them loose! I read on (whilst trying not to poke my teeth) and patience was rewarded. And isn’t just a nice feeling when you have that ahhh moment?
Back on earth, flashbacks start to patch together the events that brought Cormac to the mission and his relationship with his wife. Elena came across as a bit needy and over-reactive at the start, but as the information is drip fed, you begin to realise why she was the way she was. Hindsight is all very good when he’s floating around in a doomed spaceship but most of us would be overjoyed that a loved one had a chance to do something so amazing. However is all leads up to another moment of realisation.
The politics of space travel are also touched on. Gone are the days of the space race where millions of dollars were thrown at space exploration. It is expensive and dangerous and there are justifications for the Ishiguro’s mission, even in an age where it’s not considered that important. Also raised are questions about private sector funding and implications.
The minutiae of space living is either going to be fascinating or tiresome, depending on if you’re interested in space travel. There’s not a lot to do in space after all. I enjoyed the descriptions of the day-to-day on-board the Ishiguro. Even if it’s not your thing, still give the book a chance, the writing and plot will carry you through.
Finally, there are some lovely writerly little touches; comments about tense and a wonderful passage approaching the end, contemplating the act of finishing reading an ebook.
First off, I absolutely loved this book, gripping and clever; it kept me up reading late into the night. Set in the not too distant future, the technology is on the edge of possibility. The spaceship setting has an eerie, claustrophobic feel. For as much as space is fascinating and beautiful, it’s pretty scary place even without the threat of aliens or anything the mind can fabricate. It doesn’t take much for something to go wrong and be life threatening.
James Smythe manages to combine a first person narrative with third at the same time. That might not make sense now, but I don’t want to reveal a spoiler for the second act. This removes some of the limitations of first person whereby things not in Cormac’s knowledge are revealed to the reader and to Cormac. Going forward, the novel is full of things that don’t quite make sense at the start. It’s the stuff of nightmares that a few days without brushing your teeth will make them loose! I read on (whilst trying not to poke my teeth) and patience was rewarded. And isn’t just a nice feeling when you have that ahhh moment?
Back on earth, flashbacks start to patch together the events that brought Cormac to the mission and his relationship with his wife. Elena came across as a bit needy and over-reactive at the start, but as the information is drip fed, you begin to realise why she was the way she was. Hindsight is all very good when he’s floating around in a doomed spaceship but most of us would be overjoyed that a loved one had a chance to do something so amazing. However is all leads up to another moment of realisation.
The politics of space travel are also touched on. Gone are the days of the space race where millions of dollars were thrown at space exploration. It is expensive and dangerous and there are justifications for the Ishiguro’s mission, even in an age where it’s not considered that important. Also raised are questions about private sector funding and implications.
The minutiae of space living is either going to be fascinating or tiresome, depending on if you’re interested in space travel. There’s not a lot to do in space after all. I enjoyed the descriptions of the day-to-day on-board the Ishiguro. Even if it’s not your thing, still give the book a chance, the writing and plot will carry you through.
Finally, there are some lovely writerly little touches; comments about tense and a wonderful passage approaching the end, contemplating the act of finishing reading an ebook.