Scan barcode
travel_tea_and_tomes's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-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? Yes
2.0
Interesting characters, but ultimately a much darker story than I would have expected from something described as "cozy" and "hopeful."
Minor spoiler not plot related:
There are a lot of issues in terms of one of the main characters status of legal personhood that I didn't expect. At multiple points this character is discriminated against and is at risk of bodily harm. Property destruction because of this occurs.
Minor spoiler not plot related:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime
jayisreading's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
There was a particular gentleness to this novella that made for a rather cosy read. It was nice to find a story that centered wlw and asexual characters, and despite the shortness of the book, they were relatively well developed. I felt there was something left to be desired, especially when it came to the plot and worldbuilding, but that would require fleshing this book out into a novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Hate crime, and Grief
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Death
tinyjude's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
A cozy, adorable and emotional read for a rainy afternoon. I loved the take on AI and the characters, as well as the atmosphere they created in this novella. Instead of being worried about how to become human, Sal's story is concerned and centered around love, grief and growth, especially in terms of agency, which I think is fantastic. I felt like it was the perfect length to fell in love with the characters and the world, fell angry at the problems encountered and just enjoy an asexual sapphic science fiction story that leaves you warm and fuzzy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Grief, and Xenophobia
laran_s's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime
smartie_chan's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
fast-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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Xenophobia and Hate crime
kalira's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Absolutely beautifully done, with a wonderful braid of feelings and complexities and personalities. The retro-future setting wound up feeling almost perfectly timeless, even with the focus from time to time on Clara's job - and, of course, on Sal's very existence.
Sal and Clara were so very engaging, both of them in different ways and in the ways they interacted, emotionally and logically. The coming together and the growth were so very well portrayed and the difficulties they faced made me want them to overcome them - and together - while throwing up enough things that might be in the realm of couldn't change to make me sorrowfully wonder if they would.
Sal and Clara were so very engaging, both of them in different ways and in the ways they interacted, emotionally and logically. The coming together and the growth were so very well portrayed and the difficulties they faced made me want them to overcome them - and together - while throwing up enough things that might be in the realm of couldn't change to make me sorrowfully wonder if they would.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Xenophobia, and Grief
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
wickedgrumpy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
I enjoyed this.
In saying that, I wish there was more world building since it was a little light on it. Is there a reason why Clara uses trains/buses when in a futuristic setting? It kinda felt like present day, but there's also robots and "raises" (non-AI, usually animal shaped), but no other seemingly meaningful differences in a technically advanced reality.
I also would have loved a bit more depth to the characters.
In saying that, I wish there was more world building since it was a little light on it. Is there a reason why Clara uses trains/buses when in a futuristic setting? It kinda felt like present day, but there's also robots and "raises" (non-AI, usually animal shaped), but no other seemingly meaningful differences in a technically advanced reality.
I also would have loved a bit more depth to the characters.
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief, Hate crime, Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Fire/Fire injury
shaipanda's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This book was so sweet 🥺 the ace rep especially meant a lot to me and I just generally loved Sal and Clara’s story - it was just a small and sweet story that I really enjoyed and meant a lot - made a surprisingly big impact on me considering how short it is like damn
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Xenophobia, and Hate crime
emzhay's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This was quick and very sweet read, but I wish more time was spent developing the relationship than on the world building. I didn’t feel too much attachment to the leads.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Hate crime, and Grief
strange_little_ranger's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Grief and Hate crime