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belleanndthebook's reviews
740 reviews
Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky
dark
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
This eco-horror started off a bit slow, but once the story got going, it never stopped, and I would definitely recommend this one to sci-fi fans!
(Minor spoilers about the premise are ahead in this paragraph, so skip it if you want to go in knowing nothing at the beginning, just like the main character.) The premise reminded me of Holes if it were written as adult sci-fi. The story starts out with the main character arriving at a prison camp outpost planet. The camp itself functions as an experimental research facility that studies alien life, and the main character was sent there due to his previous expertise in the field. We also very quickly find out that he himself is a prisoner who was caught as having spread revolutionary ideals under the totalitarian regime that governs the human society.
Overall, this book explored an interesting juxtaposition of ideas and themes, and I think many sci-fi fans will enjoy the exploration of ideas even if they don’t enjoy the story itself.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc!
Confounding Oaths by Alexis Hall
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
Confounding Oaths was an absolutely delightful follow up to Mortal Follies (although I don’t think you need to have read Mortal Follies to enjoy this one.) I think this series has become my go-to for historical fantasy rom-coms. As with Mortal Follies, the most entertaining part is the delightful fae narrator who is telling the story with an extra dose of commentary on the side, and I think this world has been cemented as one that I know I will delight in returning to over and over and over again.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for giving me an arc in exchange for an honest review!
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5