Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
sprinkling in a minimum of five "fucks" per page is not the same as a sense of humour
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Suicide
Unfortunately I found this a disappointment. After 20 pages I could feel the sadness of wasted opportunities setting in, but I stuck with it to the end in hope of redemption. No such redemption appeared. Why did I keep reading? There is a particular buoyancy to the prose and an optimism to the protagonist's attitude that kept the experience light. But, I asked myself, was I enjoying the book? Again, unfortunately, no.
First thing first, and with apologies to the author: this book exudes the kind of sexual energy given off by 12-year old boys, but refracted through a broken lens of contemporary sex-positivity. Now, I have no problems with the latter prism and in fact applaud it, but here the whole feel is decidedly off. As many other reviewers have quickly pointed out, any opening that has a female protagonist describe herself as a Tinder swipe feels not only juvenile, but the apotheosis of the male gaze embedded in a flat character. Nor does she develop over the course of the book, either in the "in world" sense, after having lived thousands of lives, or in the reading of the hundred pages. There is no depth here. There is only a tired collection of pop culture references and a juvenile take on female sexuality masquerading under a proper name. Neither is at all compelling.
Second: I don't know when an absence of narrative complexity became refashioned as its own genre - the "power fantasy" - but I find it really disappointing, speaking personally, and this book relies on it completely. I found myself casting back to another recent book I'd read recently. Although I didn't totally jive with Diana Wynne Jones' Dark Lord of Derkholm, at least it has a comprehensible plot and set of overarching concepts, even areas of gentle social critique in the DWJ/Terry Pratchett mode of light fantasy fiction. Wexler's characters exist so that the plot can exist, and the plot is about the central character becoming more powerful, and the narrow circle is much too small a foundation on which to build any complex narrative. Is this what summer reads are made of? I would describe Pratchett or Jones as a good, summer read - something reliable to take to the beach. But they have aspirations for a plot, whereas this book had about the level of plot that a computer role-playing game might have, but without the interaction possible in that genre.
Third: the book is clearly half of a story that either author or publishers thought to break up to simply increase sales. While not a deal-breaker in and of itself, the naked market logic plus the two preceding factors caused me to throw up my hands at the end. No, I will not bother to buy another one of these silly books. Make it standalone, make it utterly compelling, or make it not.
In summary, a disappointment through and through. This isn't the kind of upbeat, popcorn read that it may have had in mind as the ideal type to aim for. Like its primary character, who is really all it has going for it, the book is flat, superficial, and distractingly horny. I recommend you avoid it.
If you're into the idea of humorous light fantasy, a couple of the authors I've cited above (Jones and Pratchett) are so much better. I would suggest that you read or re-read those writers.
First thing first, and with apologies to the author: this book exudes the kind of sexual energy given off by 12-year old boys, but refracted through a broken lens of contemporary sex-positivity. Now, I have no problems with the latter prism and in fact applaud it, but here the whole feel is decidedly off. As many other reviewers have quickly pointed out, any opening that has a female protagonist describe herself as a Tinder swipe feels not only juvenile, but the apotheosis of the male gaze embedded in a flat character. Nor does she develop over the course of the book, either in the "in world" sense, after having lived thousands of lives, or in the reading of the hundred pages. There is no depth here. There is only a tired collection of pop culture references and a juvenile take on female sexuality masquerading under a proper name. Neither is at all compelling.
Second: I don't know when an absence of narrative complexity became refashioned as its own genre - the "power fantasy" - but I find it really disappointing, speaking personally, and this book relies on it completely. I found myself casting back to another recent book I'd read recently. Although I didn't totally jive with Diana Wynne Jones' Dark Lord of Derkholm, at least it has a comprehensible plot and set of overarching concepts, even areas of gentle social critique in the DWJ/Terry Pratchett mode of light fantasy fiction. Wexler's characters exist so that the plot can exist, and the plot is about the central character becoming more powerful, and the narrow circle is much too small a foundation on which to build any complex narrative. Is this what summer reads are made of? I would describe Pratchett or Jones as a good, summer read - something reliable to take to the beach. But they have aspirations for a plot, whereas this book had about the level of plot that a computer role-playing game might have, but without the interaction possible in that genre.
Third: the book is clearly half of a story that either author or publishers thought to break up to simply increase sales. While not a deal-breaker in and of itself, the naked market logic plus the two preceding factors caused me to throw up my hands at the end. No, I will not bother to buy another one of these silly books. Make it standalone, make it utterly compelling, or make it not.
In summary, a disappointment through and through. This isn't the kind of upbeat, popcorn read that it may have had in mind as the ideal type to aim for. Like its primary character, who is really all it has going for it, the book is flat, superficial, and distractingly horny. I recommend you avoid it.
If you're into the idea of humorous light fantasy, a couple of the authors I've cited above (Jones and Pratchett) are so much better. I would suggest that you read or re-read those writers.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
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
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Light enjoyable fantasy read. Really enjoyed the premise along with the cast of characters. Davi, our bisexual FMC, has a robust internal monologue filled with self deprecating jokes and pop culture references. Plot twists were not unforeseen but enjoyable nonetheless.
My biggest gripe with this book is that Davi comes across as a middle aged male at times (possibly due to a male author writing a queer female character) and incredible online. The world building… just don’t look to hard and you’ll be fine. Early on in the book Davi says she barely remembers anything from earth but all of her quips (both internally and externally) don’t maintain this premise. I’d have loved to see more consistency, but also, it’s literally a book that is a parody of itself so don’t take it so seriously.
Overall and enjoyable romp and I plan to finish the duology. If you’re a fan of LITRPGs, anime, tabletop games, or fun fantasy, this book is worth the read.
My biggest gripe with this book is that Davi comes across as a middle aged male at times (possibly due to a male author writing a queer female character) and incredible online. The world building… just don’t look to hard and you’ll be fine. Early on in the book Davi says she barely remembers anything from earth but all of her quips (both internally and externally) don’t maintain this premise. I’d have loved to see more consistency, but also, it’s literally a book that is a parody of itself so don’t take it so seriously.
Overall and enjoyable romp and I plan to finish the duology. If you’re a fan of LITRPGs, anime, tabletop games, or fun fantasy, this book is worth the read.
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Became all about political strategy and got so boring
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-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
This was a very fun read and the audiobook narrator is great.