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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
totallyshelfaware's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Xenophobia
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
arsenic_'s review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Grief
misterwisp's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
5.0
This is a lovely cozy bit of science fiction that left me with the same vibe as the Becky Chambers "Wayfarers" series. So if those books are something you liked, this has a high chance of being good for you as well. It's quietly efficient at establishing the characters and world, and draws you in.
As the description states the story has the trope of the humanity in artificial beings, and I really like how it was done. Sal's inner turmoil felt real and relatable in a way hard to describe. I felt connected with it enough to keep and reread it at some point which was unexpected. If you can get behind relaxed books about life and people and where are we all going, what does it all mean etc this is probably a great one to check out.
The action is primarily interpersonal and if that isn't your thing this novella could seem quite slow. I will say, it's short enough that if you wanted to try a different type of read I think this could be a good starting point.
It left me wanting to read more by the author.
As the description states the story has the trope of the humanity in artificial beings, and I really like how it was done. Sal's inner turmoil felt real and relatable in a way hard to describe. I felt connected with it enough to keep and reread it at some point which was unexpected. If you can get behind relaxed books about life and people and where are we all going, what does it all mean etc this is probably a great one to check out.
The action is primarily interpersonal and if that isn't your thing this novella could seem quite slow. I will say, it's short enough that if you wanted to try a different type of read I think this could be a good starting point.
It left me wanting to read more by the author.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Violence and Xenophobia
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