The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
karenavila85's review against another edition
DNF- only got to page 70 but was completely bored. The plot was so promising but I just couldn’t get into it.
bookdragonmel's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a LOT of things! A lot of exciting things! Love, aliens, books, music, an excellent sci-fi novel with loads of relevant content surrounding our Covid lives here in 2020, and the book came out BEFORE all the crazy!
nedge's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
thecontrarybookworm's review against another edition
It's a shame that I let the pretty cover go to my head. Everything about this book was weird: the whole alien takeover (and their names), the nonexistent plotline, the books and music . . . It felt like something out of one of my bad dreams.
It also felt really political - the random forced representation and other liberal thoughts thrown around just seemed really unnecessary.
For example, "Avrola has been his personal assistant and companion since youth. They are nonbinary, efficient, and far more sensible than he."
Being nonbinary is not a personality trait. It's super lame to introduce a character this way. Also, if Avi is supposedly an "inferior" alien who is constantly working for Morris, I would think they would have more to worry about than coming out as nonbinary . . .
Furthermore, a character can be referred to as they/them. No problem. But once you start being like "They're nonbinary! They're nonbinary!" it shows a lack of creativity and word choice on your part.
All of this being said, I didn't necessarily disagree completely with some of the ideology in the story. But it was super extra, and unfair to people who don't think the same way and just want to read a sci-fi story.
It also felt really political - the random forced representation and other liberal thoughts thrown around just seemed really unnecessary.
For example, "Avrola has been his personal assistant and companion since youth. They are nonbinary, efficient, and far more sensible than he."
Being nonbinary is not a personality trait. It's super lame to introduce a character this way. Also, if Avi is supposedly an "inferior" alien who is constantly working for Morris, I would think they would have more to worry about than coming out as nonbinary . . .
Furthermore, a character can be referred to as they/them. No problem. But once you start being like "They're nonbinary! They're nonbinary!" it shows a lack of creativity and word choice on your part.
All of this being said, I didn't necessarily disagree completely with some of the ideology in the story. But it was super extra, and unfair to people who don't think the same way and just want to read a sci-fi story.
nyx_transfem_of_the_night's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
emmandm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
wholesome_churro's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
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? N/A
4.0
jinxofthedesert's review against another edition
1.0
It honestly sucks whenever I find a book that I'm so positive I'll love and then I read it and realize halfway through that, wow this book just isn't for me.
Kudos to everyone who liked it though!
Kudos to everyone who liked it though!
tjkaiser's review against another edition
3.0
The beginning was so good. A rebel girl's secret library in an alien compound? I was giddy. Where it lost me was the road trip. The pacing felt like it slowed to a crawl.
literaryleftie's review against another edition
3.0
Too much happened at the end and too much was left open for this to be the only book. I liked this, but I can't rate it any higher because this just feels too open.