Scan barcode
jacks623's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bookdrag0n's review against another edition
4.0
You can view this and other reviews (including my 5 star review of the second book in this series!) on my book blog at https://www.thebookdragondotblog.wordpress.com
Decommissioner Thirty-Seven has been tasked with helping a notorious university God transition into mortality. But when she learns more about the situation surrounding his godhood and the university itself, she decides to dig a bit deeper before attempting to fulfill a now more complicated task. Some investigation later, and it turns out that perhaps the university has more to hide that originally thought…
This novelette is a great bite-sized mixture of sci-fi and fantasy, set in a world that is futuristic but still familiar. The Gods are tangible beings who can be seen, heard, and can appreciably affect the world around them. And once they wane in strength–as their believers tend toward other Gods/beliefs–they are able to be transitioned into mortality to live out the rest of their mortal life. The Ministry of Divinity are tasked with finding and decommissioning such Gods, but they must follow very specific protocols.
The writing style kept me engaged throughout the story, with never a lull. Just as with the second book in this series, I loved learning more about the world and the main character, although the second book definitely gives us much more to work with. As with the second book, what seems to be an easy solution turns out to not be quite what it seems. And this twisty turn-y road we follow to get to the bottom of it keeps us readers on the edge of our seat for the entire novelette! The 70 pages feels exactly right for this story. Great to keep as a short read when waiting at the doctor’s office or just something to pass the time in the morning just before work.
The plot, however, seemed to be a bit forced. Everything was too coincidental and easy. The writing flowed naturally, because each situation *too* perfectly led to the next issue, with little to no direct involvement by the characters. Rather than a character driving the story, the story drove the characters–they were simply caught up in the riptide. Because of this, the story read a bit too much like an outline of major points that had to happen, with little-to-no transitions in between. It was a passive experience.
Despite the passive plot, the highs outweigh the lows: the interesting characters, bit of futuristic technology, and writing style all move me to recommend this book to anyone who has a hankering to get a taste of the world that Forrest created in which Gods are knowable and can be made mortal.
Decommissioner Thirty-Seven has been tasked with helping a notorious university God transition into mortality. But when she learns more about the situation surrounding his godhood and the university itself, she decides to dig a bit deeper before attempting to fulfill a now more complicated task. Some investigation later, and it turns out that perhaps the university has more to hide that originally thought…
This novelette is a great bite-sized mixture of sci-fi and fantasy, set in a world that is futuristic but still familiar. The Gods are tangible beings who can be seen, heard, and can appreciably affect the world around them. And once they wane in strength–as their believers tend toward other Gods/beliefs–they are able to be transitioned into mortality to live out the rest of their mortal life. The Ministry of Divinity are tasked with finding and decommissioning such Gods, but they must follow very specific protocols.
The writing style kept me engaged throughout the story, with never a lull. Just as with the second book in this series, I loved learning more about the world and the main character, although the second book definitely gives us much more to work with. As with the second book, what seems to be an easy solution turns out to not be quite what it seems. And this twisty turn-y road we follow to get to the bottom of it keeps us readers on the edge of our seat for the entire novelette! The 70 pages feels exactly right for this story. Great to keep as a short read when waiting at the doctor’s office or just something to pass the time in the morning just before work.
The plot, however, seemed to be a bit forced. Everything was too coincidental and easy. The writing flowed naturally, because each situation *too* perfectly led to the next issue, with little to no direct involvement by the characters. Rather than a character driving the story, the story drove the characters–they were simply caught up in the riptide. Because of this, the story read a bit too much like an outline of major points that had to happen, with little-to-no transitions in between. It was a passive experience.
Despite the passive plot, the highs outweigh the lows: the interesting characters, bit of futuristic technology, and writing style all move me to recommend this book to anyone who has a hankering to get a taste of the world that Forrest created in which Gods are knowable and can be made mortal.
eabourland's review against another edition
5.0
What a delightful story, and hard to put down. I read it on my Nook on the train over a couple of days and kept almost missing my stop. A government official is sent to a university to decommission a deity, a god of goofing off and truancy. He's no longer wanted on campus! But he has his own ideas about that. I think you will enjoy this very much. Recommended, with vigor.
feiya's review against another edition
It was worth reading. It wasn't something spectacular, just a short breezy story. Felt like watching the last half of a movie, while trying to figure out all the unfamiliars and unknowns to the story, except it doesnt have another half, you could watch to satisfy your curiosity and restlessness, caused by a good but incomplete story. It's nice tho, leaves something to the imagination. Like listening to a story that you can't know all the details to, that happened a long time ago, and there is no way to go back and check or know more than theres already recorded. Also felt like a delicate atmospheric mix of Noragami with destiny child -the game I played a long time ago.
It wasn't anything special, but wasn't anything unspecial either.
It wasn't anything special, but wasn't anything unspecial either.
binayayaya's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did.
I want this story to be full fledge fantasy pleasee.
I want this story to be full fledge fantasy pleasee.
enyanyo's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful book, quick read, and an innovative story. I loved how vivid the descriptions were.
ysra's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
naturalistnatalie's review against another edition
5.0
A highly enjoyable story. The god Ohin was very much a mystery. Why the sudden rush to decommission him? What was the real story behind his apotheosis? Turns out, the university had to honor Ohin for his sacrifice, but didn't want to get in trouble with the Polity. So, they created a story that made him safe. He was just a drunk novice, celebrated by all the other wastrels at the university. The real story was suppressed so much, even Ohin forgot it. He remembered enough to prank the university on the anniversary of his death, which prompted the desire for decommissioning in the first place. The university again didn't want to get on the bad side of the Polity. At least the decommissioning agent took the time and effort to find out the real story. I found the resolution of the problem to be very satisfying.
One side note on wording in the story. The people use unicoms as phones. I find that word choice problematic. The font I was reading on made the word very much look like unicoRN instead of unicoM. The first couple of times I read it, I couldn't figure out why they called their communication devices a unicorn. It makes a lot more sense as a unicom, but I still usually see unicorn.
One side note on wording in the story. The people use unicoms as phones. I find that word choice problematic. The font I was reading on made the word very much look like unicoRN instead of unicoM. The first couple of times I read it, I couldn't figure out why they called their communication devices a unicorn. It makes a lot more sense as a unicom, but I still usually see unicorn.
mariahaskins's review against another edition
5.0
A lovely tale - the kind of story that makes you feel better when you read it. The world is rich and uniquely imagined: a place where gods can be quite local, and can be made and unmade. The characters are everyday people (well, except for the gods!) but memorable and believable at every turn. I loved how questions of language, education, and life-choices (how we choose to live our lives, what we choose to fight for, what we decide to dedicate our lives to) are woven into the story from start to finish. A warm, gentle, and beautifully told fantasy story.