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taaya's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
This book is probably a solid read for people who's brains are wired to equate fight with excitement or suspense. Unfortunately mine is wired to equate fight scenes with utter boredom and sociological or psychological stuff, human relationships (outside of just romance) with excitement. So this book was clearly not for me and the German publisher made it even worse with both a completely misleading title and blurb (because this book is neither funny nor humorous and no, the T-Shirt did in fact not play any larger role) and the fact that almost a third of it is advertisement for another book.
(And a short mimimi: The German title was actually a good plotbunny leading to me expecting something VERY different. But thanks to the publisher using that title for a book it doesn't fit, it'll be years till one could use the plotbunny without getting sued. Yay.)
lynguy1's review against another edition
3.0
A Question of Navigation by Kevin Hearne brings murder, kidnappings and suspense to a science fiction novella briefly set in Colorado and quickly moving to an alien spaceship.
Our protagonist, Clint Beecham and his friend Derek are hiking in a national park when they encounter two girls that appear to be less than ten years old and unaccompanied by adults. As they talk to Emily and Janelle, Clint tells them he is a physicist and Derek has an English graduate degree. The next thing Clint knows, he is paralyzed and Derek has been eaten by Janelle. Clint’s day only gets worse when he is taken to a shuttle and a needle renders him unconscious until he wakes up on a spaceship. The only upside is that he has been given clothing that says DO NOT EAT in the aliens’ language along with five other scientists who have also been ‘reserved’. Unfortunately there are 50,000 other humans are scheduled to be butchered and frozen as a food supply for the aliens on their voyage to their home world. Why have the scientists been reserved? What will they do? Are the 50,000 humans doomed? Are those on earth safe?
Clint and the other scientists are compelling characters and he and Ayesha, a biologist become the leaders of the reservists. Their goals were clear and even though this was a novella, Clint showed significant character growth.
This story took action and anxiety to new heights alongside a large amount of fighting and gore. But it also showed how resilience, courage, personal sacrifice, hope and love can bring out abilities one never thought they had. While the novella is told in a first person point of view, it is vividly descriptive and thought provoking. This made it feel like I was experiencing the events along with Clint.
Overall, the darkness and intensity of this novel made it a true page-turner. The voice was unique and fresh and the story delivered on its premise. The ending was impactful and fitting to the storyline but left a couple of threads open so there could be a follow-up novel. Will there be? I hope so. It was certainly thought-provoking.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Subterranean Press and Kevin Hearne via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for January 31, 2021. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
Our protagonist, Clint Beecham and his friend Derek are hiking in a national park when they encounter two girls that appear to be less than ten years old and unaccompanied by adults. As they talk to Emily and Janelle, Clint tells them he is a physicist and Derek has an English graduate degree. The next thing Clint knows, he is paralyzed and Derek has been eaten by Janelle. Clint’s day only gets worse when he is taken to a shuttle and a needle renders him unconscious until he wakes up on a spaceship. The only upside is that he has been given clothing that says DO NOT EAT in the aliens’ language along with five other scientists who have also been ‘reserved’. Unfortunately there are 50,000 other humans are scheduled to be butchered and frozen as a food supply for the aliens on their voyage to their home world. Why have the scientists been reserved? What will they do? Are the 50,000 humans doomed? Are those on earth safe?
Clint and the other scientists are compelling characters and he and Ayesha, a biologist become the leaders of the reservists. Their goals were clear and even though this was a novella, Clint showed significant character growth.
This story took action and anxiety to new heights alongside a large amount of fighting and gore. But it also showed how resilience, courage, personal sacrifice, hope and love can bring out abilities one never thought they had. While the novella is told in a first person point of view, it is vividly descriptive and thought provoking. This made it feel like I was experiencing the events along with Clint.
Overall, the darkness and intensity of this novel made it a true page-turner. The voice was unique and fresh and the story delivered on its premise. The ending was impactful and fitting to the storyline but left a couple of threads open so there could be a follow-up novel. Will there be? I hope so. It was certainly thought-provoking.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Subterranean Press and Kevin Hearne via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for January 31, 2021. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
aekl26's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
elzabetg's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty good. Rather funny. I expect no less from Kevin Hearne, however. It made for a nice palate cleanser between books. I liked the characters, the plot, the dialogue, and the ending. Luke Daniels is an excellent narrator, too. I was happy to hear it was him.
Solid 4 stars
Solid 4 stars
narrenkaiserin's review against another edition
4.0
A silly little book that‘s so silly that it‘s good again. Fun to read, easy to read and a good little palate cleanser for in between.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
readacorn's review against another edition
4.0
Genau das was ich erwartet habe. Eine kurzweilige, lustige Sci-Fi-Satire. Ich mochte Clint sehr gerne und die Geschichte hätte gut und gerne ein wenig länger sein dürfen, zumal das Ende leider etwas abrupt war. Dafür gibt es einen Punkt Abzug.
Ansonsten eine Empfehlung die ich gerne auch verleihe.
Ansonsten eine Empfehlung die ich gerne auch verleihe.
jean_4's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
brainloo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Kidnapping
Minor: Death
raichou's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Direkt zu Anfang muss ich sagen, dass das Buch ganz anders war, als ich es mir vorgestellt habe.
Irgendwie dachte ich, dass es eher in Richtung "Per Anhalter durch die Galaxis" gehen würde, aber das ist es überhaupt nicht. Ich habe aber auch scheinbar den Klappentext nicht vollständig gelesen, da hätte es mir auch schon auffallen können.
Trotzdem alles in allem ein me schöne Geschichte, über den Überlebensdrang der Menschen.
Was aber auch gesagt sein muss, ist, dass 1/3 des Buches eine Leseprobe für ein anderes Werk des Autors ist. Mich hat es etwas enttäuscht, da ich gerne noch mehr über die Charaktere gelesen hätte, aber plötzlich war es schon vorbei.
Irgendwie dachte ich, dass es eher in Richtung "Per Anhalter durch die Galaxis" gehen würde, aber das ist es überhaupt nicht. Ich habe aber auch scheinbar den Klappentext nicht vollständig gelesen, da hätte es mir auch schon auffallen können.
Trotzdem alles in allem ein me schöne Geschichte, über den Überlebensdrang der Menschen.
Was aber auch gesagt sein muss, ist, dass 1/3 des Buches eine Leseprobe für ein anderes Werk des Autors ist. Mich hat es etwas enttäuscht, da ich gerne noch mehr über die Charaktere gelesen hätte, aber plötzlich war es schon vorbei.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Blood, Body horror, and Kidnapping
Minor: Sexual harassment