Scan barcode
crystaltheacademic's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
literarydependent's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
3.5
cassimiranda's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This is a multi-POV epic centered on the struggle for faith betwee traditional gods and technology reminiscent of American Gods. A major theme is generational divides, and I found that exploration fascinating. I didn't love the authorial voice, which I'm going to describe as 'earthy.'
Update after book club discussion: there are several unanswered questions about important plot threads such aswhat impact did the leaked virus have and who introduced the drug that released the god traits . Lowering score by 0.5 stars.
Update after book club discussion: there are several unanswered questions about important plot threads such as
beccalynnfrank's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
being_b's review against another edition
4.0
What a completely wild ride. I liked this a lot more than [b:Temper|36260411|Temper|Nicky Drayden|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1550266042l/36260411._SY75_.jpg|57913099]-- the wider range of characters and points of view really worked for me.
monicadee88's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
Incredible debut novel! It's a genre-bending rollercoaster of an adventure that starts off fast and never slows down. The varied characters are dynamic, each flawed in their own way and yet sympathetic and redeemable. Drayden created a fantastical futuristic world, but I wish there was deeper world-building and an overall longer story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Torture, and Violence
authoraugust's review against another edition
5.0
Wonderful stuff by Nicky Drayden here. My only real complaint is that a lot of details were introduced, and while they all added up to a satisfying conclusion, I couldn't help but feel there was a lot more world and plot dangled in front of my nose than I actually got in the end.
It was so weird! And it zig-zagged in my favorite way!
I am not afraid to admit, I shed several tears, and mostly because robots. And being kind to robots. That's apparently a thing that I care about in my fiction (go figure).
It was so weird! And it zig-zagged in my favorite way!
I am not afraid to admit, I shed several tears, and mostly because robots. And being kind to robots. That's apparently a thing that I care about in my fiction (go figure).
rallly's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted so badly to love this, but finishing it was an absolute chore.
The plot didn’t really exist. I didn’t care at all about the outcome because I wasn’t even sure what was happening. 2 of the main characters could have been removed and it would have barely changed anything. This felt more like the author wanted to put as many whacky things in one book than they wanted to have a cohesive plot to tie the concepts together.
It’s like, saying the selling points of the novel make it sound incredible- who doesn’t want to read about a clash of AI and gods? Turns out, about halfway through the book, I didn’t care because the plot fell out. The world building was also sparse and not immersive. The present except there’s some weird robots that feel too retro to actually be futuristic.
There was also some child abuse throughout the entire novel that did not sit well with me, as well as a bizarre stance on chronic pain that could have been interesting but became too convoluted to make sense.
There were some funny one-liners and a cute gay relationship that I enjoyed.
The plot didn’t really exist. I didn’t care at all about the outcome because I wasn’t even sure what was happening. 2 of the main characters could have been removed and it would have barely changed anything. This felt more like the author wanted to put as many whacky things in one book than they wanted to have a cohesive plot to tie the concepts together.
It’s like, saying the selling points of the novel make it sound incredible- who doesn’t want to read about a clash of AI and gods? Turns out, about halfway through the book, I didn’t care because the plot fell out. The world building was also sparse and not immersive. The present except there’s some weird robots that feel too retro to actually be futuristic.
There was also some child abuse throughout the entire novel that did not sit well with me, as well as a bizarre stance on chronic pain that could have been interesting but became too convoluted to make sense.
There were some funny one-liners and a cute gay relationship that I enjoyed.
f18's review against another edition
I've read two books by this author before and didn't really like either of them, but her book concepts always really appeal to me and I've found some passages of her writing extremely compelling. I love weird books and hers are definitely that. Other people with similar taste to me liked this one so I decided to give her a last try.
This one immediately wasn't working for me as it felt more urban fantasy despite being set in the future (I have never got on with UF and I'm starting to wonder if perhaps near-future scifi isn't my thing either?). I read from three main POV characters (plus an interlude from a robot) and didn't find myself particularly interested in any of them, though I was somewhat intruiged by the ... magic system? The gods.
The whole bit with the potential rapist of the preteen girl's mom befriending her in an inappropriate setting really rubbed me the wrong way and having looked at some reviews other people have disliked how that was handled in the story later on so I think I'm going to sadly use that as a sign to not continue. It seems this author isn't for me.
11corvus11's review against another edition
5.0
Creative, well written, truly bizarre, and an interesting way to explore Queer and trans characters (however questionable I found one scene which you will probably be about to guess if you read it.) I like that this book had Queer, trans, poc, and disabled characters that were explored based on identity but who were fully fleshed out people and part of a larger story that was about more than their identities.
I would put this book in the "science fantasy" genre similar to NK Jemisin's broken earth trilogy (though entirely different books.) It has elements of science fiction like advanced technological society and AI while also having purely fantastical elements. This was my first from this author and I want more.
I would put this book in the "science fantasy" genre similar to NK Jemisin's broken earth trilogy (though entirely different books.) It has elements of science fiction like advanced technological society and AI while also having purely fantastical elements. This was my first from this author and I want more.