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3.32 AVERAGE
3.32 AVERAGE
I really liked the cover and premise of this book and at first I was really pulled in. It seemed to be a mix of [b:The Martian|18007564|The Martian|Andy Weir|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1413706054l/18007564._SY75_.jpg|21825181] and [b:The Calculating Stars|33080122|The Calculating Stars (Lady Astronaut, #1)|Mary Robinette Kowal|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1539850192l/33080122._SY75_.jpg|53735352] but the further along I got the more the cracks started to show. The lack of quotation marks was annoying and the relationships between all the characters just seemed off. I didn’t realize that this book is a retelling of a classic that I have never read and know just enough about to make it so I probably never will. After reading this book not only am I even more unlikely to read the classic but I am also now seriously considering taking off my holds list at the library.
Spoiler
Jane EyreSpoiler
[b:The Wife Upstairs|53137893|The Wife Upstairs|Rachel Hawkins|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1609506208l/53137893._SY75_.jpg|67818991]
3.5. I liked the story well enough, but I wish it blew me away as much as the gorgeous cover does.
Even though June got herself into troublesome situations from being so headstrong, it was refreshing to read about a brilliant female astronaut accomplishing amazing feats. The outer space atmosphere reminded me of a combination of The Martian and Alien, only without the horrendous monsters. The lack of punctuation was a bit disconcerting as it could be hard to determine who was talking but the pages flew by once I got used to it.
Thanks to the publisher for the advance reading copy.
Thanks to the publisher for the advance reading copy.
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
I feel terrible that I didn’t love this one. I really enjoyed the author’s debut novel, If, Then, and thought it was very cool and different from other things I’d read. I enjoy sci-fi thrillers as a whole, and space books, but did NOT like The Martian so I was a little worried- however I figured a new take on something similar might be what I needed to love it.
I did like this better than The Martian, but that’s about where my praise ends. The romance promised is barely any romance at all, and I’m VERY confused at her reactions to him after some key scenes. There was also my absolute least favorite kind of body horror, teeth. Not the first time I’ve seen a character have to attempt dental work alone in space, but I flipped right past those couple pages, because I just could not. I don’t ever see anyone else trigger warning that type of scene, so I want to mention it, in case anyone else has the same phobias.
This is shelved as queer multiple times on good reads, so I was kind of expecting James to be a girl, but there was not an explicitly queer characters that I noticed, especially not the main romance, so my bad going in with the wrong idea, I guess?
The ending was abrupt and a little confusing to me, and I don’t know what I actually think about it. If someone wants to GR message me what they think happened here, I would appreciate it
I did like this better than The Martian, but that’s about where my praise ends. The romance promised is barely any romance at all, and I’m VERY confused at her reactions to him after some key scenes. There was also my absolute least favorite kind of body horror, teeth. Not the first time I’ve seen a character have to attempt dental work alone in space, but I flipped right past those couple pages, because I just could not. I don’t ever see anyone else trigger warning that type of scene, so I want to mention it, in case anyone else has the same phobias.
This is shelved as queer multiple times on good reads, so I was kind of expecting James to be a girl, but there was not an explicitly queer characters that I noticed, especially not the main romance, so my bad going in with the wrong idea, I guess?
The ending was abrupt and a little confusing to me, and I don’t know what I actually think about it. If someone wants to GR message me what they think happened here, I would appreciate it
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
In The Quick was an fine read. It didn’t feel exceptional, but more technical. I felt that there was a story here that could have been expounded on, but it never got a chance to fully develop. I sensed there was a depth behind June and the mission and mystery behind Inquiry that’s tied to her uncle. It just came through so bland with some aspects left unanswered. I wanted to get to know the other characters more and their relationship to her, even though she had trouble forming a connection with them. I especially wanted know more in understanding her relationship with James. It felt like it just happens.
There were times when I was reading that I began to wonder if this was a retelling of Jane Eyre. There are scenes and pieces that will stand out, but it’s not a complete retelling.
Mostly, I just wanted more. It was interesting reading the training it took to become an astronaut starting at a young age, and then later when June actually becomes one. However, it was missing something exciting that would have made the story more gripping.
There were times when I was reading that I began to wonder if this was a retelling of Jane Eyre. There are scenes and pieces that will stand out, but it’s not a complete retelling.
Mostly, I just wanted more. It was interesting reading the training it took to become an astronaut starting at a young age, and then later when June actually becomes one. However, it was missing something exciting that would have made the story more gripping.
i would’ve given this 5 stars if it wasn’t for the ending… but it’s also 2am so i’ll think about it more. ok now i think it's probably closer to 3 stars BUT i haven't read jane eyre so after talking to jen who has, i think it's fine? i liked it. i get the critique but it was fun....i had a good time. the lesbians were the most interesting people <3 the main character was fun and her main romance was irrelevant but who cares! it barely existed.
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was okay, easy enough to read and short enough that I could breeze through it. But the synopsis is very misleading as most of this takes place when June is 12 and still in the academy. Also why was I led to believe this is queer when there’s only a hint a two side characters being queer but no outright statement about it - I feel cheated out of a good queer scifi.
This book was just ok. I don't love the "genius kid building on the work of their dead genius relative" trope all that much, which is what this was. I think Mary Robinette Kowal, Andy Weir, and Naomi Novik have ruined me (in the best way) for stories that don't have the same level of detailed world-building and thorough science/magic background that their books do.
For fans of books like California, Station 11, and Annihilation. More literary than genre, which just isn't my preference!