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nchristianson's review against another edition
1.0
My 2024 includes for the first time straight DNFing when I'm not having a good time. This books was a bad time for me. Honestly, I couldn't even remotely pretend to get into it. I couldn't even summarize why I didn't like this book so I went to my friend, ChatGPT for help. If you are not a fan of AI's feel free to disregard the remainder of this review but I use ChatGPT for personal use daily and love it. Here is how that conversation went.
Nicole: I'm in a bookclub reading the book "Heart of Iron" by Ashley Poston and I'm having a hard time wanting to finish reading it. The story is not engaging me and I feel that the pacing and worldbuilding is off. Can you help me summarize my feelings on this book?
ChatGPT: Certainly! It sounds like you're struggling with the engagement, pacing, and worldbuilding in "Heart of Iron" by Ashley Poston. Here's a summary of your feelings:
"While reading 'Heart of Iron' by Ashley Poston, I find myself facing difficulties in maintaining interest in the story. The pacing feels off, making it challenging to stay engaged, and the worldbuilding lacks the depth I anticipated. These factors collectively contribute to a sense of disconnect, hindering my enjoyment of the book. I am struggling to find the compelling elements that would encourage me to continue reading and invest in the narrative."
Feel free to elaborate on specific aspects if you'd like to provide more details or discuss certain elements in greater depth.
Nicole: can you help me explain why I feel like this is a bad book?
ChatGPT: Determining whether a book is "bad" is subjective and can vary from reader to reader, as people have different tastes and preferences. However, based on your feedback, it seems like you are identifying specific issues that contribute to your dissatisfaction with "Heart of Iron" by Ashley Poston. Here are some potential reasons why you may feel it's not meeting your expectations:
Pacing Issues: If the pacing is off, it can affect the flow of the story and make it challenging for readers to stay engaged. A poorly paced narrative may feel either too slow, dragging on without significant developments, or too fast, leaving little time for meaningful exploration of characters or plot points.
Lack of Engaging Elements: The story may be lacking elements that typically engage readers, such as well-developed characters, an intriguing plot, or compelling conflicts. Without these, the book might fail to captivate your interest.
Worldbuilding Shortcomings: Worldbuilding is crucial, especially in science fiction or fantasy genres. If the world in "Heart of Iron" is not convincingly constructed or lacks depth, it can make it difficult for readers to immerse themselves in the fictional universe.
Personal Preferences: Sometimes, a book may not resonate with a reader simply due to differences in personal preferences. If the themes, writing style, or genre do not align with your tastes, it can impact your overall enjoyment.
It's essential to recognize that others might have a different opinion on the book, as reading preferences vary widely. If you feel comfortable, you might also want to explore reviews from other readers to see if their perspectives align with or differ from yours.
Nicole: I also felt that this book was way too predictable. Right from the beginning it was very obvious what was going on. it made it so i didnt want to finish it.
ChatGPT:Predictability can indeed be a factor that affects the enjoyment of a book. If you find a story too predictable, it may result in a lack of suspense or surprise, diminishing the overall engagement. Here's how you could express this aspect of your feelings:
"The predictability of 'Heart of Iron' by Ashley Poston is a significant drawback for me. Right from the beginning, the plot twists and turns were too apparent, leaving little room for surprise or suspense. This predictability has impacted my motivation to continue reading, as the lack of unexpected developments makes the story feel formulaic and less engaging. A sense of mystery and unpredictability is often crucial in maintaining interest, and unfortunately, I found these elements lacking in this particular book."
Nicole: i also cannot believe they named the Emperor ERIC. what the hell was that about
ChatGPT: Character names can play a crucial role in shaping a reader's perception of a story, and when a name choice seems out of place or inconsistent with the setting, it can be jarring. If the name "Eric" for the Emperor in "Heart of Iron" struck you as odd or out of sync with the story's context, you can express your feelings like this:
"The choice to name the Emperor 'Eric' in 'Heart of Iron' by Ashley Poston struck me as peculiar and somewhat out of place. In a setting that likely demands names with a certain level of gravitas or cultural relevance, 'Eric' seems too commonplace and modern, creating a disconnect with the fictional world. This seemingly incongruent choice in nomenclature added an element of disbelief for me, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story and take the characters seriously. A more carefully chosen and contextually fitting name could have contributed to a more cohesive and immersive reading experience."
Nicole: based on our conversation, can you summarize everything we discussed into one review
ChatGPT: Certainly! Here's a summary that incorporates the various aspects we discussed:
"In my exploration of 'Heart of Iron' by Ashley Poston, I encountered several challenges that collectively impacted my reading experience. The book's pacing felt off, hindering engagement by either dragging on without significant developments or rushing through key moments. The worldbuilding lacked the depth I expected, making it challenging to fully immerse myself in the fictional universe. Additionally, the predictability of the plot from the very beginning detracted from the overall enjoyment, as it left little room for suspense or surprise. Furthermore, the choice to name the Emperor 'Eric' felt oddly modern and out of place in the story's context, contributing to a sense of disbelief. These combined factors made it difficult for me to connect with the narrative, ultimately diminishing my desire to finish the book."
Nicole: I'm in a bookclub reading the book "Heart of Iron" by Ashley Poston and I'm having a hard time wanting to finish reading it. The story is not engaging me and I feel that the pacing and worldbuilding is off. Can you help me summarize my feelings on this book?
ChatGPT: Certainly! It sounds like you're struggling with the engagement, pacing, and worldbuilding in "Heart of Iron" by Ashley Poston. Here's a summary of your feelings:
"While reading 'Heart of Iron' by Ashley Poston, I find myself facing difficulties in maintaining interest in the story. The pacing feels off, making it challenging to stay engaged, and the worldbuilding lacks the depth I anticipated. These factors collectively contribute to a sense of disconnect, hindering my enjoyment of the book. I am struggling to find the compelling elements that would encourage me to continue reading and invest in the narrative."
Feel free to elaborate on specific aspects if you'd like to provide more details or discuss certain elements in greater depth.
Nicole: can you help me explain why I feel like this is a bad book?
ChatGPT: Determining whether a book is "bad" is subjective and can vary from reader to reader, as people have different tastes and preferences. However, based on your feedback, it seems like you are identifying specific issues that contribute to your dissatisfaction with "Heart of Iron" by Ashley Poston. Here are some potential reasons why you may feel it's not meeting your expectations:
Pacing Issues: If the pacing is off, it can affect the flow of the story and make it challenging for readers to stay engaged. A poorly paced narrative may feel either too slow, dragging on without significant developments, or too fast, leaving little time for meaningful exploration of characters or plot points.
Lack of Engaging Elements: The story may be lacking elements that typically engage readers, such as well-developed characters, an intriguing plot, or compelling conflicts. Without these, the book might fail to captivate your interest.
Worldbuilding Shortcomings: Worldbuilding is crucial, especially in science fiction or fantasy genres. If the world in "Heart of Iron" is not convincingly constructed or lacks depth, it can make it difficult for readers to immerse themselves in the fictional universe.
Personal Preferences: Sometimes, a book may not resonate with a reader simply due to differences in personal preferences. If the themes, writing style, or genre do not align with your tastes, it can impact your overall enjoyment.
It's essential to recognize that others might have a different opinion on the book, as reading preferences vary widely. If you feel comfortable, you might also want to explore reviews from other readers to see if their perspectives align with or differ from yours.
Nicole: I also felt that this book was way too predictable. Right from the beginning it was very obvious what was going on. it made it so i didnt want to finish it.
ChatGPT:Predictability can indeed be a factor that affects the enjoyment of a book. If you find a story too predictable, it may result in a lack of suspense or surprise, diminishing the overall engagement. Here's how you could express this aspect of your feelings:
"The predictability of 'Heart of Iron' by Ashley Poston is a significant drawback for me. Right from the beginning, the plot twists and turns were too apparent, leaving little room for surprise or suspense. This predictability has impacted my motivation to continue reading, as the lack of unexpected developments makes the story feel formulaic and less engaging. A sense of mystery and unpredictability is often crucial in maintaining interest, and unfortunately, I found these elements lacking in this particular book."
Nicole: i also cannot believe they named the Emperor ERIC. what the hell was that about
ChatGPT: Character names can play a crucial role in shaping a reader's perception of a story, and when a name choice seems out of place or inconsistent with the setting, it can be jarring. If the name "Eric" for the Emperor in "Heart of Iron" struck you as odd or out of sync with the story's context, you can express your feelings like this:
"The choice to name the Emperor 'Eric' in 'Heart of Iron' by Ashley Poston struck me as peculiar and somewhat out of place. In a setting that likely demands names with a certain level of gravitas or cultural relevance, 'Eric' seems too commonplace and modern, creating a disconnect with the fictional world. This seemingly incongruent choice in nomenclature added an element of disbelief for me, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story and take the characters seriously. A more carefully chosen and contextually fitting name could have contributed to a more cohesive and immersive reading experience."
Nicole: based on our conversation, can you summarize everything we discussed into one review
ChatGPT: Certainly! Here's a summary that incorporates the various aspects we discussed:
"In my exploration of 'Heart of Iron' by Ashley Poston, I encountered several challenges that collectively impacted my reading experience. The book's pacing felt off, hindering engagement by either dragging on without significant developments or rushing through key moments. The worldbuilding lacked the depth I expected, making it challenging to fully immerse myself in the fictional universe. Additionally, the predictability of the plot from the very beginning detracted from the overall enjoyment, as it left little room for suspense or surprise. Furthermore, the choice to name the Emperor 'Eric' felt oddly modern and out of place in the story's context, contributing to a sense of disbelief. These combined factors made it difficult for me to connect with the narrative, ultimately diminishing my desire to finish the book."
alrightieaphroditie's review against another edition
3.0
three stars ∗ i think one of the main reasons i loved this book so much is because i LOVE the story of anastasia! i grew up with the animated movie and i just really like everything about lost princess and the scoundrel (or in this books case, the robot)! i’ve been in the mood for an anastasia retelling ((if you know of any more ya retellings please let me know!!)) because i’ve been wanting to try and write an anastasia retelling myself, and i heard this was one but set in space and i knew i had to read it asap.
i loved ashley’s first book, geekerella, so i was really excited to pick up another book from her! i really love her writing style. it’s really simple but beautiful and it gets the message across in fun, descriptive ways!
overall, every aspect of this book was just wonderful. i loved the world (space, robots, and outlaws - oh my!) and the technology was suuuuuper fascinating to read about. the characters were so funny and felt so real (even the metal? di owns my heart) and even just the plot was executed so well. i have heart eyes for this book.
the last 50 pages threw me for a whirl, and i was not expecting any of the twists or reveals ((even though i did have some slight guesses)) and i feel like the book ended with a small cliffhanger?? regardless, i’m really really looking forward to the sequel!!! i don’t usually love science fiction books, but man, when i do, i really love them.
i loved ashley’s first book, geekerella, so i was really excited to pick up another book from her! i really love her writing style. it’s really simple but beautiful and it gets the message across in fun, descriptive ways!
overall, every aspect of this book was just wonderful. i loved the world (space, robots, and outlaws - oh my!) and the technology was suuuuuper fascinating to read about. the characters were so funny and felt so real (even the metal? di owns my heart) and even just the plot was executed so well. i have heart eyes for this book.
the last 50 pages threw me for a whirl, and i was not expecting any of the twists or reveals ((even though i did have some slight guesses)) and i feel like the book ended with a small cliffhanger?? regardless, i’m really really looking forward to the sequel!!! i don’t usually love science fiction books, but man, when i do, i really love them.
jlamb44's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The book can be slow at places and is probably about 50-75 pages too long. But there is an interesting twist at the end and lots of different characters to focus on.
fyrekatz's review against another edition
5.0
How could I not love this book... at times I totally yelled at what was happening in it but I loved it. I love this space/classics retellings that are being released and won't stop reading these. My the characters are so colorful. I don't even know who is my favorte in this story. Di, Anna, Robb, and Jax were just perfect even with their flaws they make a perfect team. Love it and can't wait to read more from Ashley Poston of course and everyone out there read this book... like now!
It's like Anastasia in Space with a twist of Firefly
http://fkrants.blogspot.com/2018/03/heart-of-iron.html
It's like Anastasia in Space with a twist of Firefly
http://fkrants.blogspot.com/2018/03/heart-of-iron.html
eyleen's review against another edition
5.0
Read 2: I didn't enjoy this quite as much as when I read it the first time, because the pacing felt a bit off and some things seemed rushed, but the second half was again a whirlwind of revelations and a rollercoaster of feelings!
No idea how I managed to go on after that cliffhanger back in the day and I'm happy I have the sequel now ;)
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Just great!!
Perfect for fans of The Lunar Chronicles :)
No idea how I managed to go on after that cliffhanger back in the day and I'm happy I have the sequel now ;)
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Just great!!
Perfect for fans of The Lunar Chronicles :)
thejosiemarie's review against another edition
4.0
I’m destroyed in a good way. Great characters, moving plot, but! I wish some characters would have been developed more. I would have liked to see more of the captain of the guard and Erik. What motivates them as people because we only got fed crumbs of their personality. That ending though! My thoughts are jumbled. I’ll write a better review when I can, but great job!
ameserole's review against another edition
5.0
Heart of Iron was freaking amazing!! I loved everything about this book. The characters and the predictable plot were everything to me. Yes, predictable because I assumed what Ana's role would be way before it was confirmed. I still highly enjoyed this book though. I would also recommend this book to everyone. Seriously, go get this book.
Not gonna lie.. I had a very hard time trying to figure out who I should ship. Should it be Ana with Robb, Jax, or Di. I had no idea.. but when Robb and Jax kissed each other .. well, that was easier to knock those two off of the board. Di was kind of weird for me because I couldn't figure out if Di was a boy or girl.. but then when it was HE the robot I totally got on board.. kind of. It definitely reminded me of a version of Beauty and the Beast but the MC falls in love with a robot instead of a beat.
The twists and turns were good - even the ones I saw coming. I was so happy when I predicted everything about Ana!! However, I did not see that ending coming. I still don't really understand why they wanted Ana dead.. but I'm sure once the alcohol wears off and I've had like 20 ish hours of sleep I might figure it out.
Overall, I loved this book so much. The characters were everything to me. Heart of Iron definitely left me wanting more. I seriously need the next book ASAP and I have no idea when that will become a real thing.
Not gonna lie.. I had a very hard time trying to figure out who I should ship. Should it be Ana with Robb, Jax, or Di. I had no idea.. but when Robb and Jax kissed each other .. well, that was easier to knock those two off of the board. Di was kind of weird for me because I couldn't figure out if Di was a boy or girl.. but then when it was HE the robot I totally got on board.. kind of. It definitely reminded me of a version of Beauty and the Beast but the MC falls in love with a robot instead of a beat.
The twists and turns were good - even the ones I saw coming. I was so happy when I predicted everything about Ana!! However, I did not see that ending coming. I still don't really understand why they wanted Ana dead.. but I'm sure once the alcohol wears off and I've had like 20 ish hours of sleep I might figure it out.
Overall, I loved this book so much. The characters were everything to me. Heart of Iron definitely left me wanting more. I seriously need the next book ASAP and I have no idea when that will become a real thing.
manuthebooknerd's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
chlcrc617's review against another edition
2.0
Oh boy, I did not like this book. I only finished it as a "what not to do" example and also because the chapters were so short I could convince myself to read "just one more! it's not that much."
This book does not nearly have enough world building in some areas, definitely not enough character development, and the pacing is very much a mess. The latter two are potentially because of all the character POVs we cycle through - four. You don't spend enough time with any one character to really get into their world or their head beyond the obvious parts that are spelled out for us.
Also, there were long periods where I didn't know where I was physically throughout this book. There was almost no attention to that. I don't need paragraphs dedicated to scenery, but some placement is generally nice.
The final nail in the coffin is the plot. There's a good amount of action. But... yawn? I just never cared. It wasn't suspenseful and it almost felt confusing at times, again, given the location issues.
I have no desire to read anything else despite the cliffhanger ending. At least I checked this book out from the library and didn't pay money.
This book does not nearly have enough world building in some areas, definitely not enough character development, and the pacing is very much a mess. The latter two are potentially because of all the character POVs we cycle through - four. You don't spend enough time with any one character to really get into their world or their head beyond the obvious parts that are spelled out for us.
Also, there were long periods where I didn't know where I was physically throughout this book. There was almost no attention to that. I don't need paragraphs dedicated to scenery, but some placement is generally nice.
The final nail in the coffin is the plot. There's a good amount of action. But... yawn? I just never cared. It wasn't suspenseful and it almost felt confusing at times, again, given the location issues.
I have no desire to read anything else despite the cliffhanger ending. At least I checked this book out from the library and didn't pay money.
kazzified29's review against another edition
3.0
I found "Heart of Iron" enjoyable. I liked it and found the characters entertaining. Some of the scenes felt as if they were straight out of the 20th Century Fox animated film, "Anastasia." It was very funny to recognise scenes like that. "Anastasia" is one of my favourite movies of all time. I was obsessed with it when it came out. However, I felt that the story didn't surprise me and was somewhat predictable because it followed the animated plot here and there. I am keenly aware of the Romanov history and of the legend of Anastasia. People believed that she had somehow survived the murder of her parents and siblings. I liked the fact that Ana seemed to take on the role of Alexei Romanov as well as Anastasia.
Personally, the romances of the book were not very impressive. I adored one relationship in the book and did not enjoy the other two; one relationship is one of my hated tropes of instant love. At times I felt as if the characters were too juvenile for the world that they had grown up in and for the career that they had. For being cut-throat outlaws, I found them somewhat weak and below par. I expected more from this crew who initially reminded me of The Ravagers from "Guardians of the Galaxy."
At times, the writing felt like pure fan-fiction. I recognise the writing from many a fan-fiction piece that I have read and written. This is Poston's second book and first foray into science-fiction. It was good but it wouldn't be amiss as a storyline in the fictional television series 'Star Field' from her debut novel, "Geekerella." I did enjoy the story, but I was enthralled or excited by it like I had expected to be because I love the legend of Anastasia so much. "Heart of Iron" was one of my most anticipated releases on 2018 and I felt somewhat underwhelmed by it. It will be interesting to see where the story goes from here as there will undoubtedly be a sequel.
Personally, the romances of the book were not very impressive. I adored one relationship in the book and did not enjoy the other two; one relationship is one of my hated tropes of instant love. At times I felt as if the characters were too juvenile for the world that they had grown up in and for the career that they had. For being cut-throat outlaws, I found them somewhat weak and below par. I expected more from this crew who initially reminded me of The Ravagers from "Guardians of the Galaxy."
At times, the writing felt like pure fan-fiction. I recognise the writing from many a fan-fiction piece that I have read and written. This is Poston's second book and first foray into science-fiction. It was good but it wouldn't be amiss as a storyline in the fictional television series 'Star Field' from her debut novel, "Geekerella." I did enjoy the story, but I was enthralled or excited by it like I had expected to be because I love the legend of Anastasia so much. "Heart of Iron" was one of my most anticipated releases on 2018 and I felt somewhat underwhelmed by it. It will be interesting to see where the story goes from here as there will undoubtedly be a sequel.