fedak's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyed the first third or so, reasonable MilSciFi with some heavy borrowing/homage to Starship Troopers
The time travel narrative kinds collapsed under its own weight and the deus ex machina ending seemed like it was rushed. (In the notes, the author admitted to needing a flow chart to keep track of the time travel plotlines, and as a readers we probably needed the same)
The college freshman anti-corporation political manifesto that permeates the whole book was a bit overdone. And the gender reveal gimmick left me somewhat confused prompting me to google what was going on rather than what I presume was an intended "aha" moment of me revisiting my expectations.
The time travel narrative kinds collapsed under its own weight and the deus ex machina ending seemed like it was rushed. (In the notes, the author admitted to needing a flow chart to keep track of the time travel plotlines, and as a readers we probably needed the same)
The college freshman anti-corporation political manifesto that permeates the whole book was a bit overdone. And the gender reveal gimmick left me somewhat confused prompting me to google what was going on rather than what I presume was an intended "aha" moment of me revisiting my expectations.
nekoshka's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Vomit, Body horror, Gore, Child death, Death, Gun violence, War, and Injury/injury detail
Moderate: Xenophobia, Mental illness, Death of parent, Animal death, Torture, Chronic illness, and Suicide
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Classism
nenatie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
harukoreads's review against another edition
3.0
I love Kameron Hurley but I had no idea what was going on here - the characters felt very unmemorable and because of this it was hard to get invested or follow anyone in the story.
hellorainy's review against another edition
4.0
I was totally engrossed by the end, could barely put the book down. I'm definitely going to read this again. It was a little darker than I usually enjoy. A lot of violent, gory, disturbing things that happen, because, you know, war is ugly. The whole setting is pretty ugly (but not a huge leap from the ugliness of the real world - Hurley just takes unchecked corporate power its logical conclusion). The protagonist really gave me a reason to hang in there until the end, though. And the mystery. I needed to know what was really going on. I still have questions. The end was a cliffhanger. I want mooooorrre. But at the same time, I appreciate the endpoint chosen by the author.
littledebby's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0
asakovich's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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
5.0
jaffo's review against another edition
5.0
I really love this book. It scratched all my favorite itches. Mil scifi (without fetishistic weapon focus). Time/reality bending questions. A flawed protagonist whom I love in their imperfection. "The Paladin" (I _immediately_ recognized and related to Dietz and this concept, without any explanation. I'm such a nerd.)
I have been unsuccessful with 'The Stars Are Legion', but that has not influenced my appreciation for Kameron Hurley one bit. The audiobook narration is also very well done.
This is a great read and deserves a chance on your bookshelf.
I have been unsuccessful with 'The Stars Are Legion', but that has not influenced my appreciation for Kameron Hurley one bit. The audiobook narration is also very well done.
This is a great read and deserves a chance on your bookshelf.
pseudohind's review against another edition
4.0
I’m torn on this one - there was a lot I liked (the character growth & time travel!) and some that was...meh (the violence felt gratuitous at times, the politics felt simplistic; the prose also wasn’t all that engaging imo). It grew on me, though, and I enjoyed how it ended! So: four stars. I think it would benefit from a reread, now that I know who everyone is and what the stakes are.
rdiosteve's review against another edition
5.0
An amazing and original work. Wonderfully convoluted. I couldn't help but think about "Red Star" by Bogdanov. Communist Martians? "The Light Brigade" is a worthy counterpoint to Bogdanov's Martian Communist society and the relationship to Earth. To say much more would be to give too much away. Read both! Hurley impresses me more and more.