lazygal's review
1.0
DNF. Too derivative, too many POVs, and after 30% on my eARC I just couldn't care about anyone. Better world building and fewer (or more sensible) switches between characters would have helped. Maybe.
ARC provided by publisher.
ARC provided by publisher.
emilygrujic's review
2.0
I had incredibly low expectations for this book, and that was why in the first 100 pages I was surprised when I found myself actually interested in the story, the characters and the world! The writing was very basic and immature, but I was willing to accept it because I thought it was during the set up of the book and I understand that a lot of exposition is sometimes needed to build such a giant sci fi world (this is of course ignoring the strange choice metaphors and similes, and again my expectations were low.)
BUT! I had read past 100 pages and the exposition WAS NOT STOPPING! I really wanted to be proven wrong about this book, but the more I read, the more I realised that it was not only the writing that let the book down; the plot was underdeveloped, the characters that I thought were badass ended up being very flat and almost cheesy, and the editing resembled that of Sarah J Maas’ later work (as in, the story could be told in A LOT LESS PAGES!)
Again, I don’t want to be mean because I know that all writers have to start somewhere, but I felt like this book was treated as though it were a celebrity’s book - the publishers knew that it would sell because of previous followings and therefore were not fussed with helping the story to grow. (I’m also a believer that anyone can learn how to write.) Such a shame.
BUT! I had read past 100 pages and the exposition WAS NOT STOPPING! I really wanted to be proven wrong about this book, but the more I read, the more I realised that it was not only the writing that let the book down; the plot was underdeveloped, the characters that I thought were badass ended up being very flat and almost cheesy, and the editing resembled that of Sarah J Maas’ later work (as in, the story could be told in A LOT LESS PAGES!)
Again, I don’t want to be mean because I know that all writers have to start somewhere, but I felt like this book was treated as though it were a celebrity’s book - the publishers knew that it would sell because of previous followings and therefore were not fussed with helping the story to grow. (I’m also a believer that anyone can learn how to write.) Such a shame.
jbojkov's review against another edition
5.0
Awesome new sci/fi offering
Love the characters, the action, the story!! Can't wait for more! My only criticism? I had to stop reading! More please!
Love the characters, the action, the story!! Can't wait for more! My only criticism? I had to stop reading! More please!
jbojkov's review
5.0
If you love space operas with big characters and lots of action- this is the book for you! Told from multiple viewpoints- we watch as a battle rages for control of this particular neighborhood of the universe. With a dash of romance thrown in. Loved it!
jazz_cone's review
1.0
This whole book is like eating “moon chew”.... what’s that?? We don’t know! Like everything in this book.
kateozera's review against another edition
3.0
Overall, it was an enjoyable reading!
The main problems I had with it:
- It's really short but that didn't bother. What did bother me was the fact that all the action felt kind of rushed.
- The writing was sometimes childish.
- It seemed that everytime the word "fike" appeared it had to be repeated ten times on the same page.
- Please, don't compare POC's skin with food (I'm assuming that Dex is POC, because that's what I got reading his description).
- The fight scenes weren't that good. I didn't get a clear image of what was happening. Also...how do you fight bullets with only swords and why the hell were all the patrolmen so fiking useless? Are they not militars? Why did they just stood there dumbly and let themselves be killed by a sword when they had guns?!
- Much telling, no showing. Andi's badassery felt forced.
- Too many things happening at once.
- For a moment there, I thought she was Celaena Sardothien. But then again, I do know they both are just representations of the same archetype so I'll let it slide.
- A little bit of info dumping and a lack of explanations.
- One minute she didn't care about who she killed, then she was drowning in remorse.
The good stuff:
- While I felt is was too rushed, I liked the chasing part and I feel it was the right way to start. I got Firefly vibes from it and really enjoyed it.
- Of course a crew with nb people or women of trans experience would be good, but I'm still glad this was an all [cis, I know] women crew.
- Lira.
- It was fun and quick to read.
- A promising start to a series!
Now, I know it had a few flaws but I'm still really excited to read the next part and I believe it would probably get better as it comes out. The authors are really sweet, the marketing was on point, the cover is beautiful and the plot is very refreshing to what I'm used to see in the YA scenery.
It's fast, short and fun. Would recommend it!
The main problems I had with it:
- It's really short but that didn't bother. What did bother me was the fact that all the action felt kind of rushed.
- The writing was sometimes childish.
- It seemed that everytime the word "fike" appeared it had to be repeated ten times on the same page.
- Please, don't compare POC's skin with food (I'm assuming that Dex is POC, because that's what I got reading his description).
- The fight scenes weren't that good. I didn't get a clear image of what was happening. Also...how do you fight bullets with only swords and why the hell were all the patrolmen so fiking useless? Are they not militars? Why did they just stood there dumbly and let themselves be killed by a sword when they had guns?!
- Much telling, no showing. Andi's badassery felt forced.
- Too many things happening at once.
- For a moment there, I thought she was Celaena Sardothien. But then again, I do know they both are just representations of the same archetype so I'll let it slide.
- A little bit of info dumping and a lack of explanations.
- One minute she didn't care about who she killed, then she was drowning in remorse.
The good stuff:
- While I felt is was too rushed, I liked the chasing part and I feel it was the right way to start. I got Firefly vibes from it and really enjoyed it.
- Of course a crew with nb people or women of trans experience would be good, but I'm still glad this was an all [cis, I know] women crew.
- Lira.
- It was fun and quick to read.
- A promising start to a series!
Now, I know it had a few flaws but I'm still really excited to read the next part and I believe it would probably get better as it comes out. The authors are really sweet, the marketing was on point, the cover is beautiful and the plot is very refreshing to what I'm used to see in the YA scenery.
It's fast, short and fun. Would recommend it!
izzy_happyfornow's review
2.0
2.5 Full review is here
I truly appreciate a good space adventure. I’m a Mass Effect addict yes even to this day 1-3 are amazing! I loved the series so much. I love a good team up adventure as well, enemies to friends or former lovers to friends to lovers again tropes. Zenith promised a lot of things I thought I would love. It didn't deliver on all those items.
I didn’t love it. I didn’t hate it either, but I really think this is a book that won’t hit home for a lot of people. It’s apparent the authors are getting their bearings writing as a duo and that is totally okay. It doesn’t suffer to much for it, but I do think it would have benefitted from heavier editing and being shorter.
Next we have the writing itself. It’s clunky. It’s over done for no reason. At one point they talk about using a microphone to amplify a voice. We don’t need that extra descriptor as a reader and these examples are multiple examples of this throughout the book.
One moment that I really loved though involved some romance novels being gifted to another character. Super here for that sort of stuff. Also here for the fact that we get to see a girl team that is a team no enemies amongst them. I really liked getting the fun of a squad going to save the world.
I finished this up and just felt the definition of meh. It’s not the worst thing I’ve ever read and it’s not the best. Again I plan to try out book two but if that one is lacking the finesse I want in a science fiction adventure I'm going to let the series go. At the end of the day writing a book as a duo or trio even is difficult and I recognize that. I think we should see a lot of growth between this one and the next book in the writing.
I truly appreciate a good space adventure. I’m a Mass Effect addict yes even to this day 1-3 are amazing! I loved the series so much. I love a good team up adventure as well, enemies to friends or former lovers to friends to lovers again tropes. Zenith promised a lot of things I thought I would love. It didn't deliver on all those items.
I didn’t love it. I didn’t hate it either, but I really think this is a book that won’t hit home for a lot of people. It’s apparent the authors are getting their bearings writing as a duo and that is totally okay. It doesn’t suffer to much for it, but I do think it would have benefitted from heavier editing and being shorter.
Next we have the writing itself. It’s clunky. It’s over done for no reason. At one point they talk about using a microphone to amplify a voice. We don’t need that extra descriptor as a reader and these examples are multiple examples of this throughout the book.
One moment that I really loved though involved some romance novels being gifted to another character. Super here for that sort of stuff. Also here for the fact that we get to see a girl team that is a team no enemies amongst them. I really liked getting the fun of a squad going to save the world.
I finished this up and just felt the definition of meh. It’s not the worst thing I’ve ever read and it’s not the best. Again I plan to try out book two but if that one is lacking the finesse I want in a science fiction adventure I'm going to let the series go. At the end of the day writing a book as a duo or trio even is difficult and I recognize that. I think we should see a lot of growth between this one and the next book in the writing.
theteamsreader's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
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? Yes
5.0
carlyisclary's review
1.0
Honestly, I'm pretty disappointed.
Going into this series, I was excited by the concept: pirate space ladies helping each other help their universe, protecting and robin-hooding like there's no tomorrow. I mean, come on that sounds badass! However, what i found was a fairly topsy-turvy casserole of cliche's that I just couldn't dig into. Androma, though setting up to be a very interesting and layered character, felt exceedingly bland. I didn't feel connected or latched on to her, and I just didn't understand her motives. One of her partners in crime, Lira, felt more developed and I could have read from her POV for much longer. Valen, though, was the real downer. He literally embodied the trope emo to a T and was so predictable it made me upset! He was Kylo Ren, Zuko, and Maven rolled into one, but watered down. I hate to be harsh, since I saw so much room for growth and development in this story, but when that isn't taken and the story feels very one-dimensional both in character and plot-line, AND gets NYT Bestselling title, it's a little perplexing. I hope the best for these author's future books and writings, and that this was just a blip, because I honestly have no idea why it was as unenjoyable and frustrating as it was.
If you want to read this book and see if it fits your flavor, go ahead, but if you are expecting action-packed multi-layered badass-women literature, go in with leveled expectations.
Going into this series, I was excited by the concept: pirate space ladies helping each other help their universe, protecting and robin-hooding like there's no tomorrow. I mean, come on that sounds badass! However, what i found was a fairly topsy-turvy casserole of cliche's that I just couldn't dig into. Androma, though setting up to be a very interesting and layered character, felt exceedingly bland. I didn't feel connected or latched on to her, and I just didn't understand her motives. One of her partners in crime, Lira, felt more developed and I could have read from her POV for much longer. Valen, though, was the real downer. He literally embodied the trope emo to a T and was so predictable it made me upset! He was Kylo Ren, Zuko, and Maven rolled into one, but watered down. I hate to be harsh, since I saw so much room for growth and development in this story, but when that isn't taken and the story feels very one-dimensional both in character and plot-line, AND gets NYT Bestselling title, it's a little perplexing. I hope the best for these author's future books and writings, and that this was just a blip, because I honestly have no idea why it was as unenjoyable and frustrating as it was.
If you want to read this book and see if it fits your flavor, go ahead, but if you are expecting action-packed multi-layered badass-women literature, go in with leveled expectations.