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diane's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this -- I loved the idea and the worldbuilding and the writing. Quinn does a great job of painting the world she's set up for the "debt collectors."
I have to admit at the end I wasn't intrigued enough by the cliffhanger to continue, but I could easily see someone else plowing through a whole bunch of this story.
I have to admit at the end I wasn't intrigued enough by the cliffhanger to continue, but I could easily see someone else plowing through a whole bunch of this story.
contesauce's review against another edition
4.0
Still reading the series, but thoughts so far.
So I got this book through a promotional with a SCI-FI book club I subscribe to and figured it looked like a decent read so I gave it a shot. I haven't been disappointed so far. The initial serials were pretty swift with the story line and the way the action moves. There are points in the book where the characters do feel a little flimsy, or not completely well rounded. I find the environments in the books to be lacking in details, but you are mostly concerned with what's happening to the characters to really care about their surroundings. There seems to be some overt sexual tension between the main character and most of the female, (and one male) characters so far. For two of the characters it could've made sense and worked with their personalities, but for Ophelia, the relationship the two share is really weird and never made sense to me.
::Possible spoilers
Ophelia seems to like Lirium right at their first meeting. She portrays this sexy, knowledgeable, mentor who can open young Liriums eyes. That was fine, but then there just exists this sudden deeper relationship between the two as their "adventures" transpire that makes me wonder how the hell it go there so fast. I just never felt genuine, and because of the speed of it, it makes me feel like Lirium is a teenage boy with a crush on his first hot teacher.
::End possible spoiler
Those complaints aside, you shouldn't bypass this book. I really, really, enjoy the concept of the life transfers and the concept of the currency in this world. I would love to see this expanded further beyond Lirium to other lives, collectors, mobs, or gangs, and or political corruption. As I said I'm not entirely finished with these books yet, but I've only got a few chapters to go. From what I've read so far it is a fun ride. There are plenty of moments where you are worried about the characters, and since you don't have prior knowledge of this world you are learning about a lot of the events that are unfolding just like Lirium, in real time. This makes it feel more natural and leads to some good surprises for the reader.
So I got this book through a promotional with a SCI-FI book club I subscribe to and figured it looked like a decent read so I gave it a shot. I haven't been disappointed so far. The initial serials were pretty swift with the story line and the way the action moves. There are points in the book where the characters do feel a little flimsy, or not completely well rounded. I find the environments in the books to be lacking in details, but you are mostly concerned with what's happening to the characters to really care about their surroundings. There seems to be some overt sexual tension between the main character and most of the female, (and one male) characters so far. For two of the characters it could've made sense and worked with their personalities, but for Ophelia, the relationship the two share is really weird and never made sense to me.
::Possible spoilers
Ophelia seems to like Lirium right at their first meeting. She portrays this sexy, knowledgeable, mentor who can open young Liriums eyes. That was fine, but then there just exists this sudden deeper relationship between the two as their "adventures" transpire that makes me wonder how the hell it go there so fast. I just never felt genuine, and because of the speed of it, it makes me feel like Lirium is a teenage boy with a crush on his first hot teacher.
::End possible spoiler
Those complaints aside, you shouldn't bypass this book. I really, really, enjoy the concept of the life transfers and the concept of the currency in this world. I would love to see this expanded further beyond Lirium to other lives, collectors, mobs, or gangs, and or political corruption. As I said I'm not entirely finished with these books yet, but I've only got a few chapters to go. From what I've read so far it is a fun ride. There are plenty of moments where you are worried about the characters, and since you don't have prior knowledge of this world you are learning about a lot of the events that are unfolding just like Lirium, in real time. This makes it feel more natural and leads to some good surprises for the reader.
the_cover_contessa's review against another edition
5.0
If you do not read any other novella this year, you MUST read this one! Susan has done it yet again. She's taken science fiction and romance and action to a whole new level. She's sucked me right in with it, too! When I heard Sue was writing more, I had to get my hands on this. I loved her Mindjack trilogy so much!
Blurb from Goodreads:
What’s your life worth on the open market?
A debt collector can tell you precisely.
Lirium plays the part of the grim reaper well, with his dark trenchcoat, jackboots, and the black marks on his soul that every debt collector carries. He’s just in it for his cut, the ten percent of the life energy he collects before he transfers it on to the high potentials, the people who will make the world a better place with their brains, their work, and their lives. That hit of life energy, a bottle of vodka, and a visit from one of Madam Anastazja’s sex workers keep him alive, stable, and mostly sane… until he collects again. But when his recovery ritual is disrupted by a sex worker who isn’t what she seems, he has to choose between doing an illegal hit for a girl whose story has more holes than his soul or facing the bottle alone—a dark pit he’s not sure he’ll be able to climb out of again.
What can I say, first of all, about this cover. I LOVE IT! It's such a great depiction of the main character!
And the main character, Lirium (or Delirium) well, he's just awesome. I love his way of telling his story. I didn't get a full sense of him, since this is only a novella and I know there's more to come but I can tell that he is independent and self serving, at least at first. As the story progresses you see him change a bit, beginning to mold into something he knows he's not supposed to be. But it's a better mold and he is pulled to take the risk of doing it. I find myself wanting to know more about him. Why did he take this job? What was it like for him growing up? And he's so young, how long has he been doing this? Where is his family? So many questions that I hope to have answered as I make my way through this series.
Susan has done something totally creative with this series, she is releasing the book in episodes. And let me tell you, she left me wanting the next episode RIGHT NOW! I love the dark world she has created where people give up their life force to pay off their debt. I need to know more about how this came about and why? I need to know about those who might be bucking the system and those who might be taken too early with so much life force yet left to live!
And her writing, oh her writing! It's just great. It flows so easily and pulls you right through the story. I couldn't put it down once I picked it up.
This story really captivated me and I am already addicted. It's edgy and different. It will suck you right in. So go get your copy and jump on the ride that is The Debt Collector!
5/5 stars!
Blurb from Goodreads:
What’s your life worth on the open market?
A debt collector can tell you precisely.
Lirium plays the part of the grim reaper well, with his dark trenchcoat, jackboots, and the black marks on his soul that every debt collector carries. He’s just in it for his cut, the ten percent of the life energy he collects before he transfers it on to the high potentials, the people who will make the world a better place with their brains, their work, and their lives. That hit of life energy, a bottle of vodka, and a visit from one of Madam Anastazja’s sex workers keep him alive, stable, and mostly sane… until he collects again. But when his recovery ritual is disrupted by a sex worker who isn’t what she seems, he has to choose between doing an illegal hit for a girl whose story has more holes than his soul or facing the bottle alone—a dark pit he’s not sure he’ll be able to climb out of again.
What can I say, first of all, about this cover. I LOVE IT! It's such a great depiction of the main character!
And the main character, Lirium (or Delirium) well, he's just awesome. I love his way of telling his story. I didn't get a full sense of him, since this is only a novella and I know there's more to come but I can tell that he is independent and self serving, at least at first. As the story progresses you see him change a bit, beginning to mold into something he knows he's not supposed to be. But it's a better mold and he is pulled to take the risk of doing it. I find myself wanting to know more about him. Why did he take this job? What was it like for him growing up? And he's so young, how long has he been doing this? Where is his family? So many questions that I hope to have answered as I make my way through this series.
Susan has done something totally creative with this series, she is releasing the book in episodes. And let me tell you, she left me wanting the next episode RIGHT NOW! I love the dark world she has created where people give up their life force to pay off their debt. I need to know more about how this came about and why? I need to know about those who might be bucking the system and those who might be taken too early with so much life force yet left to live!
And her writing, oh her writing! It's just great. It flows so easily and pulls you right through the story. I couldn't put it down once I picked it up.
This story really captivated me and I am already addicted. It's edgy and different. It will suck you right in. So go get your copy and jump on the ride that is The Debt Collector!
5/5 stars!
mistled's review against another edition
4.0
Part 1 in a serial whose premise is that some people's lifeforce is taken from them as payment of debt, and then given to people who have great potential to do good for society. For example, they may take the last two months of someone's life who is dying of cancer (and who has some of debt), and give it to someone doing cancer research. We follow one of the guys who actually absorbs the lifeforce of the dying and carries it to whomever gets it.
I am completely sold on the premise. You know any society with this kind of system is going to be corrupt as hell. Should be good. I find reviewing serials to be incredibly difficult since I am in essence reviewing a few chapters of a longer work, but just know that I'm going to go on to read part two. At this point the world is more interesting than the characters, but it's only been 48 pages.
And this part is free on amazon, so give it a read.
I am completely sold on the premise. You know any society with this kind of system is going to be corrupt as hell. Should be good. I find reviewing serials to be incredibly difficult since I am in essence reviewing a few chapters of a longer work, but just know that I'm going to go on to read part two. At this point the world is more interesting than the characters, but it's only been 48 pages.
And this part is free on amazon, so give it a read.
denizyildiz's review against another edition
4.0
The reasons I ended up requesting this serial on Netgalley are two:
First the blurb sounded interesting, obviously.
Second because I kinda liked the idea of the serials. For many reasons actually. On a sentimental side, it reminded me of Duma. The fact that most of his work was published as serials, kinda makes this form of publishing endearing to me. Then I like reading novellas, a quick fix between books. But mostly I thought this could go two way; either this is going to be totally bad or really good. Curiosity got the better of me.
Well, Delirium is the latter.
It's a a quick read. I actually had to wait for something, so it filled my time. - exactly what I like about novellas. Though it is really short, Quinn managed to outline an entire new world and the main character.
The plot is fast paced, but despite that and its length, it doesn't feel rushed. And though the story obviously just started, I like where it ended. No massive cliffhanger which will make waiting for future episode bearable. And most importantly it left me wanting more!
The story is narrated by Delirium. A dept collector at the age of 20. Though he seems much more mature in some ways. While obviously there isn't loads to know about him just yet and there are only outlines set, I still connected with him. Quinn opened a window into the character, that gives one a glimpse, just enough that it makes you care but not too much so it feels overly pushed. You left with an idea of who Delirium is, what drives him and the hint that there is more to him than all that as well.
The world building is intriguing, I like the idea of the dept collectors and human worth, the life force etc. Again, Quinn somehow got the balance just right, again. There is enough world building over the few pages to outline it, but not too much to way it down or feel tried.
I really like Quinn's writing. It's simply beautiful and I am sure I will be reading more of her works in the future.
All in all an intriguing, fast paced and well written serial!
A warning: This will leave you wanting more!!
Review copy was provided by Publishers through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
First the blurb sounded interesting, obviously.
Second because I kinda liked the idea of the serials. For many reasons actually. On a sentimental side, it reminded me of Duma. The fact that most of his work was published as serials, kinda makes this form of publishing endearing to me. Then I like reading novellas, a quick fix between books. But mostly I thought this could go two way; either this is going to be totally bad or really good. Curiosity got the better of me.
Well, Delirium is the latter.
It's a a quick read. I actually had to wait for something, so it filled my time. - exactly what I like about novellas. Though it is really short, Quinn managed to outline an entire new world and the main character.
The plot is fast paced, but despite that and its length, it doesn't feel rushed. And though the story obviously just started, I like where it ended. No massive cliffhanger which will make waiting for future episode bearable. And most importantly it left me wanting more!
The story is narrated by Delirium. A dept collector at the age of 20. Though he seems much more mature in some ways. While obviously there isn't loads to know about him just yet and there are only outlines set, I still connected with him. Quinn opened a window into the character, that gives one a glimpse, just enough that it makes you care but not too much so it feels overly pushed. You left with an idea of who Delirium is, what drives him and the hint that there is more to him than all that as well.
The world building is intriguing, I like the idea of the dept collectors and human worth, the life force etc. Again, Quinn somehow got the balance just right, again. There is enough world building over the few pages to outline it, but not too much to way it down or feel tried.
I really like Quinn's writing. It's simply beautiful and I am sure I will be reading more of her works in the future.
All in all an intriguing, fast paced and well written serial!
A warning: This will leave you wanting more!!
Review copy was provided by Publishers through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
tyrean's review against another edition
3.0
Susan Kaye Quinn is an excellent writer, and this novella is intense from beginning to end. I struggled to rate it. I liked Lirium, the MC, until I found out just how hard he was living to push his work to the back of his mind. I struggled with his use of prostitutes to get through his dark moods.
I know that's a matter of personal taste and not writing, and I think that Quinn is going to take this somewhat unlikeable/somewhat likeable main character and work on his heroism, but I still had a tough time with it.
So, if you can handle a somewhat dark MC, you'll love this steampunk adult novella. And by adult, I don't mean that it ever really gets graphic. Despite Lirium's tastes, Quinn never crosses that line, and I really appreciated that.
It's a toss up for me, between three and four . . .
I know that's a matter of personal taste and not writing, and I think that Quinn is going to take this somewhat unlikeable/somewhat likeable main character and work on his heroism, but I still had a tough time with it.
So, if you can handle a somewhat dark MC, you'll love this steampunk adult novella. And by adult, I don't mean that it ever really gets graphic. Despite Lirium's tastes, Quinn never crosses that line, and I really appreciated that.
It's a toss up for me, between three and four . . .
elephant's review against another edition
4.0
This is an excellent short story that is part of a series. I am not sure that I understand that - it really seems like a chapter or two of a book. In this book, Lirium is a debt collecter - he takes the remaining life out of dying people and passes it on to people who pay for it to settle the debts of the dying. The debts get paid off and the wealthy get weeks, months or more added on to their lives. It seems like an excellent story and I would like to read more of it, but I would prefer if it was just put out as a book rather than as a series of chapters. I received this book free to review from Netgalley.
amysofta's review against another edition
4.0
I received a copy of the book for an honest review from the publisher through Net Galley.
This is kinda a different type of story, and I’m not talking about it being a stray from my normal genre of choice. This is a short story, only 46 pages on my Nook, a part of a larger book or what not. I’m not sure I’ve only read one other story that was set up in serial form, The Green Mile by Stephen King, and that was in print. It is a very quick read took me little over an hour to finish, but it was really quite enjoyable. I am planning on picking up the next couple of books in the serial to check out what happens next.
This is a Science Fiction story that has a futuristic feel to it, readers of Dystopian novels will probably enjoy this one as well. I liked the concept of the story, and with some politicians that we have in Government I could totally see them being on board for this type of society. In this world you use your life force as a currency and once you are deemed more cost than you are worth a collector comes and takes any remaining force and redistributes it to those who are deemed more worthy in society, for their potential contributions.
Of course this is meant to be for the greater good for all citizens. After all wouldn’t you want to keep someone who is close to curing cancer around as long as you can so someday nobody has to die from the disease. We quickly learn thought that there are cracks in the system, corruption exists, and not all of those who deserve the life force receive it.
This is an interesting read, made me think and I look forward to reading more. The pace was great, the main characters fleshed out and likable. Like I said if you like Sci-fi, Dystopian or political reads I suggest giving this one a shot. It looks like each part in the serial is only 99 cents, so what do you have to lose?
This is kinda a different type of story, and I’m not talking about it being a stray from my normal genre of choice. This is a short story, only 46 pages on my Nook, a part of a larger book or what not. I’m not sure I’ve only read one other story that was set up in serial form, The Green Mile by Stephen King, and that was in print. It is a very quick read took me little over an hour to finish, but it was really quite enjoyable. I am planning on picking up the next couple of books in the serial to check out what happens next.
This is a Science Fiction story that has a futuristic feel to it, readers of Dystopian novels will probably enjoy this one as well. I liked the concept of the story, and with some politicians that we have in Government I could totally see them being on board for this type of society. In this world you use your life force as a currency and once you are deemed more cost than you are worth a collector comes and takes any remaining force and redistributes it to those who are deemed more worthy in society, for their potential contributions.
Of course this is meant to be for the greater good for all citizens. After all wouldn’t you want to keep someone who is close to curing cancer around as long as you can so someday nobody has to die from the disease. We quickly learn thought that there are cracks in the system, corruption exists, and not all of those who deserve the life force receive it.
This is an interesting read, made me think and I look forward to reading more. The pace was great, the main characters fleshed out and likable. Like I said if you like Sci-fi, Dystopian or political reads I suggest giving this one a shot. It looks like each part in the serial is only 99 cents, so what do you have to lose?
donnek's review
4.0
Omg! Sooo bizarre! A futuristic tale a guy who takes dying people's life force and gives it to rich smart people. The whole book reads like a tv show. Not being a tv watcher (I'm a die hard book reader), it's kind of weird that I enjoyed it so much. Definitely going to continue with the series and book two or rather season two.
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