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crunchy108's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Man I wanted to drop this book ngl. The writing is good, world building is expansive and characters are interesting along with the premise but like halfway through the book they decided to take a random tour like 100 pages around the planet in the middle of a war??? And i was not interested at all but the end and beginning were good but how slow the middle was and some other problems really bumped this down for me. Still not sure if I’m willing to read the next installment but I’ll give it a try.
daydreambooklover's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
staan_dee's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
third_bookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
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
5.0
This was very, very good. It's an excellent retelling of a well-known story; it follows the beats of the story, but only implies the most famous moments. The god-in-the-machine conceit was very fun and interesting.
katbotdiaries's review
The book felt convoluted and many of the characters spoke with the same voice. It was hard to remember who was who. Overall I was just bored, I may try to read it again later.
kfessy's review
3.0
I will start this review by saying I am newer to more epic fantasy. While reading this I found it difficult to keep straight all the different worlds, countries, and governments. But I do think that was because of me as a reader, and not a fault of the book. I would just recommend this to more advance fantasy readers.
Overall I liked the story, but it wasn’t a favorite for me personally. But I do think a lot of people will really enjoy this, I would have liked to see the relationship between Gracia and Ceirran develop, and the pacing felt off to me sometimes. But I did love the political aspect of this book.
I do recommend giving it a try!
Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for an ebook in exchange for review.
Overall I liked the story, but it wasn’t a favorite for me personally. But I do think a lot of people will really enjoy this, I would have liked to see the relationship between Gracia and Ceirran develop, and the pacing felt off to me sometimes. But I did love the political aspect of this book.
I do recommend giving it a try!
Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for an ebook in exchange for review.
gio_shelves's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.75
lsiegull's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
colourmeread's review
4.0
This book has the most unreliable narrator I've read and I'm here for it. There's something about a narrator telling you she's lying but you still end up surprised when you find out she actually did. Now THAT'S some storytelling!
The Stars Undying is a queer space opera inspired by the lives of Cleopatra and Julius Caesar. Their similarities, their differences, and ultimately their relationship and how it affects Szayet and Ceiao are central to the story. Princess Altagracia must get back her throne with the help of Ceiao's great Commander, Ceirran. How that plays out and what happens after is like reading a historical piece that's never been written before. It's a rich novel packed with layers of nuances and motives and while it may feel slow at times, what seems mundane has a tendency to surface later.
This is my first experience with a space opera and it did not disappoint! The characters will keep you guessing and even when you want your suspicions explicitly confirmed you won't get it. Normally this would frustrate me, but it was so well done it just WORKED. There's something about being trusted to read between the lines and the silences, in a good teasing way.
Emery Robin masterfully crafts a world so tangible it feels real, characters who are grey and imperfect, and the story of a woman on a mission and all she's willing to do to achieve it.
Thank you to Orbit Books for sending me a copy to review! All opinions my own.
The Stars Undying is a queer space opera inspired by the lives of Cleopatra and Julius Caesar. Their similarities, their differences, and ultimately their relationship and how it affects Szayet and Ceiao are central to the story. Princess Altagracia must get back her throne with the help of Ceiao's great Commander, Ceirran. How that plays out and what happens after is like reading a historical piece that's never been written before. It's a rich novel packed with layers of nuances and motives and while it may feel slow at times, what seems mundane has a tendency to surface later.
This is my first experience with a space opera and it did not disappoint! The characters will keep you guessing and even when you want your suspicions explicitly confirmed you won't get it. Normally this would frustrate me, but it was so well done it just WORKED. There's something about being trusted to read between the lines and the silences, in a good teasing way.
Emery Robin masterfully crafts a world so tangible it feels real, characters who are grey and imperfect, and the story of a woman on a mission and all she's willing to do to achieve it.
Thank you to Orbit Books for sending me a copy to review! All opinions my own.