allisonwonderlandreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-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? Yes
3.0
August Kitko and the Mechas from Space makes the dire, impending doom of apocalypse as vibrant and catchy as it can. We've got robots fighting with a mix of old-school and high-tech weaponry, musicians standing between humanity and malevolent A.I., and a queer love story holding up against the pressures of the end of the world. Our two protagonists are Gus Kitko, jazz pianist, and Ardent Violet, pop icon. The two start up a fling with only days before Earth's impending demise, humans' many other colonies already lost to the invading mecha force. Their affection for one another takes a turn for the serious when the two harmonize with an attacking mecha, called a Vanguard, bonding Gus to the giant irreparably. It turns out that the Vanguard Graymalkin and three others are traitors to their cause, and with Gus' and three other musicians' help, humanity has a fighting chance (literally).
The story flows pretty seamlessly through action scenes built on high stakes and near misses. When humans link up with the Vanguards, they get five minutes connected to a Fount of past humans' knowledge, after which their brains would melt from the strain. This keeps the mecha battles snappy on two fronts: there's extreme time pressure on each encounter and the characters have access to expert knowledge that keeps each engagement on the move. Under the electricity of the battle scenes, there's a pervading sense of despair about humanity's unlikely survival, no doubt filtered through Gus' intense mental health issues (it's the apocalypse, so that checks out). Note that there are heavy doses of depression and a recurring theme around suicidal ideation in the story. But this apocalyptic desperation also comes through in our characters' fighting spirit to do what they can on behalf of everyone, and a tender love story gives a personal reason to fight for something more after the battles are through. As a foil to Gus' quiet hopelessness, Ardent has marginal hope, supreme, reckless self-confidence, and the willpower to stand up against anyone who tries to stop them. So it's not all doom and gloom, though humanity's collective decision-making apparatus is always a bit of a downer, re: who's in charge and what they do about it.
You can also expect glittering, effervescent queerness to chase off your end-of-the-world blues. Our central romance is between the two protagonists, Gus (he/him) and Ardent (they/them). It seems that despite its many faults, this future Earth has adapted its mindsets and language to better encompass the spectrum of gender. Groups of people are referred to as folx and Ardent is widely referred to as the joyfriend in the couple (an existing term that I learned from this book and intend to adore forevermore). While we're definitely working with an instalove scenario, Gus and Ardent's care for one another is sweet and meaningful. It's a warm counterpoint to the intimidating cold of space battles between giant mechas.
If you love action-packed sci-fi, steep odds, or queer people standing at the end of everything with technicolor ferocity, this might be a good read for you. Thanks to Orbit for my copy to read and review!
The story flows pretty seamlessly through action scenes built on high stakes and near misses. When humans link up with the Vanguards, they get five minutes connected to a Fount of past humans' knowledge, after which their brains would melt from the strain. This keeps the mecha battles snappy on two fronts: there's extreme time pressure on each encounter and the characters have access to expert knowledge that keeps each engagement on the move. Under the electricity of the battle scenes, there's a pervading sense of despair about humanity's unlikely survival, no doubt filtered through Gus' intense mental health issues (it's the apocalypse, so that checks out). Note that there are heavy doses of depression and a recurring theme around suicidal ideation in the story. But this apocalyptic desperation also comes through in our characters' fighting spirit to do what they can on behalf of everyone, and a tender love story gives a personal reason to fight for something more after the battles are through. As a foil to Gus' quiet hopelessness, Ardent has marginal hope, supreme, reckless self-confidence, and the willpower to stand up against anyone who tries to stop them. So it's not all doom and gloom, though humanity's collective decision-making apparatus is always a bit of a downer, re: who's in charge and what they do about it.
You can also expect glittering, effervescent queerness to chase off your end-of-the-world blues. Our central romance is between the two protagonists, Gus (he/him) and Ardent (they/them). It seems that despite its many faults, this future Earth has adapted its mindsets and language to better encompass the spectrum of gender. Groups of people are referred to as folx and Ardent is widely referred to as the joyfriend in the couple (an existing term that I learned from this book and intend to adore forevermore). While we're definitely working with an instalove scenario, Gus and Ardent's care for one another is sweet and meaningful. It's a warm counterpoint to the intimidating cold of space battles between giant mechas.
If you love action-packed sci-fi, steep odds, or queer people standing at the end of everything with technicolor ferocity, this might be a good read for you. Thanks to Orbit for my copy to read and review!
tehcup's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
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
flexmentallo's review
adventurous
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? No
4.25
This was just delightful. Fast-paced and inventive action, really fun world-building, excellent characters -- it just really works. Can't wait to see more of this!
yonkeltron's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
3.5
Hard to get through but worth it in the end. A clever take on an older series of tropes blended into a brand new work.
carolined314's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Way more fun than apocalyptic insane alien robots trying to slaughter earth should be, plus wonderful nonbinary popstar
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Violence, Murder, and Injury/injury detail
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Panic attacks/disorders, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Confinement, and Genocide
Minor: Alcohol
dragon_girlj's review
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
alexalily's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Genocide, Medical trauma, Medical content, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Violence, Injury/injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, War, and Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent and Alcohol
ladamic's review
4.0
Ridiculous premise, interesting characters (including the mechas) who exchange witty barbs, lots of audio, visual, tactile description. Pretty epic overall, but already felt long, maybe even a bit bloated, so not sure I'm ready for a sequel, though maybe I'll change my mind by the summer.
alana_readsbooks's review
5.0
I loved this book I thought it was really well written and the two main characters are so well done can’t wait for the next instalment