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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“You know people who can travel across the universe in the blink of an eye and all you want from them is to feed your cats.” [loc. 1752]
The conclusion to the Nowhere trilogy (which began with Edge of Nowhere and continued with Out of Nowhere), this novel focuses on the scientist who caused the rift into the Nowhere: Dr Solomon Lange. He came back out of the breach greatly changed, having acquired an ability to move things with his mind and a conviction that the Nowhere provided an escape from 'the misery of embodiment'. Lange doesn't like anyone else on QSF17, except for (a) his cats and (b) possibly engineer Jake McCreery. He can hear and see the breach, which nobody else can, and he's probably the only person who can close it: but he needs a break, some time to recover from his ordeal in the Nowhere. Lange and McCreery take a trip back to Earth, to a Canadian an Alaskan shack in the wilderness: the landing pod is damaged, and he and McCreery (plus Lange's three cats) are stranded. They come to know and understand one another rather better than before.
It was initially hard to warm to either of the leads. Lange is the epitome of arrogant, asocial scientist: McCreery is preternaturally imperturbable, easy-going, and kind. In fact, the two have quite a lot in common, including a reluctance to form romantic relationships. Their time in Alaska brings them closer together, but it can't last forever. The breach is still threatening the fabric of the universe, and QSF17 -- a hollowed-out asteroid in lunar orbit -- may also be harbouring an alien intruder. Turns out it's a lot easier to save the universe if you're not working alone.
I found Lange's background, and his scientific approach to his lack of meaningful relationships, rather moving, and I liked the unexpected connection between Lange and Kit. The Lange/McCreery relationship was satisfying (as was Lange's obvious affection for his cats): however, I didn't feel that the SFnal elements of the broader plot were explored as fully as I'd have liked. A very enjoyable read, though.
If school was hell, this one’s for you.
After that dedication, I was in. Jokes aside, this book was my favourite out of the trilogy. It had a kindness and calm about it, especially for the first 40% maybe, that I enjoyed very much. Loved Jakes robots and Sols cats.
(Talking to) Robots:
“You’re well on your way to a career as a forger,” he told her, and then felt bad. “Or a regular artist, I guess. Didn’t mean to assume you couldn’t make original work.”
Cats:
Niels Bohr curled up in the small of Lange’s back and purred. Smug asshole cat.
I loved that the focus was on these two this time, and wish there were more books, but I think this one wrapped it up nicely. It was easily my favourite out of the trilogy. It also had some gut punches.
Other people were friendly with each other all the time. It was meaningless, and yet it meant everything. Like a man who’d been slowly freezing to death, Solomon had gone numb to his own loneliness, unable to feel it until the temperature suddenly changed. He’d craved solitude, not total isolation, and somewhere in his adult life, one had given way to the other.
And honestly some beautiful lines in between some good old smut.
But perhaps the two of them formed a shape whose contours could not be so easily described.
A book about giving and taking, making mistakes and trying to repair and learn self control, and letting go when you need to. An emotional and impulsive 5* from me.
How shitty that there was no equation you could write or machine you could build that would stop bad things from happening. No matter how smart you were, or how careful, or how kind, or how deserving of kindness, still life might make you suffer.
After that dedication, I was in. Jokes aside, this book was my favourite out of the trilogy. It had a kindness and calm about it, especially for the first 40% maybe, that I enjoyed very much. Loved Jakes robots and Sols cats.
(Talking to) Robots:
“You’re well on your way to a career as a forger,” he told her, and then felt bad. “Or a regular artist, I guess. Didn’t mean to assume you couldn’t make original work.”
Cats:
Niels Bohr curled up in the small of Lange’s back and purred. Smug asshole cat.
I loved that the focus was on these two this time, and wish there were more books, but I think this one wrapped it up nicely. It was easily my favourite out of the trilogy. It also had some gut punches.
Other people were friendly with each other all the time. It was meaningless, and yet it meant everything. Like a man who’d been slowly freezing to death, Solomon had gone numb to his own loneliness, unable to feel it until the temperature suddenly changed. He’d craved solitude, not total isolation, and somewhere in his adult life, one had given way to the other.
And honestly some beautiful lines in between some good old smut.
But perhaps the two of them formed a shape whose contours could not be so easily described.
A book about giving and taking, making mistakes and trying to repair and learn self control, and letting go when you need to. An emotional and impulsive 5* from me.
How shitty that there was no equation you could write or machine you could build that would stop bad things from happening. No matter how smart you were, or how careful, or how kind, or how deserving of kindness, still life might make you suffer.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Aww. Awkward humans figuring out yucky feelings and stuff
NOWHERE ELSE continues the story of Facility 17 but this time we get renowned physicist Dr. Solomon Lange’s story. He’s been traumatized from his experience in the Nowhere and I found the beginning of this book really interesting as Davin explored Lange’s reaction to being back in his body. Even before the Nowhere, Lange was a loner who pushed people away but somehow he finds himself letting Jake get under his skin.
I loved the way Jake cared for Lange -- he understands Lange’s needs and doesn’t push him. I also melted every time Jake would sweetly talk to his robots and his gentle nature just really tugged at my heartstrings. Lange was a tough shell to crack at first but once we started to get into his head more it was evident how isolated Lange felt and that he wanted to make connections with other people but just didn’t know how. Watching him build friendships with the rest of the Facility 17 crew was so great.
Overall, I liked this one though there were a few parts I found a little slow and boring. But this was probably just a me thing. Ultimately, there was something very soft and sweet about NOWHERE ELSE even though it has a fair bit of angst in it.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
Content Warning: Lange begins the book with self-destructive urges
I loved the way Jake cared for Lange -- he understands Lange’s needs and doesn’t push him. I also melted every time Jake would sweetly talk to his robots and his gentle nature just really tugged at my heartstrings. Lange was a tough shell to crack at first but once we started to get into his head more it was evident how isolated Lange felt and that he wanted to make connections with other people but just didn’t know how. Watching him build friendships with the rest of the Facility 17 crew was so great.
Overall, I liked this one though there were a few parts I found a little slow and boring. But this was probably just a me thing. Ultimately, there was something very soft and sweet about NOWHERE ELSE even though it has a fair bit of angst in it.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
Content Warning: Lange begins the book with self-destructive urges
adventurous
emotional
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Loved this series and hope it finds a wider audience!
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts