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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
What a fun roller-coaster! It was a bit silly in places and obviously mostly fluff and action, but gosh it was enjoyable. And I'm pretty sure I've figured out already exactly what is going on, but oh well, I'm going to enjoy hearing the whole answer in the next book in the duology either way.
I enjoyed this story. In another review someone equated it to Indian Jones but I would say it was more Tomb Raider. The main characters, Mia and Jules, come together on an alien planet, one to scavenge and one to learn. They must work together to meet their respective goals. Along the way they discover a mystery better left buried.
I am eagerly awaiting the next installment.
I am eagerly awaiting the next installment.
I'm sad that this one didn't grab me as much as I had hoped. I feel like when I read These Broken Stars, I just couldn't put the book down. But that is not at all how this one was for me. The pacing was really off because it was continuously broken up by these insanely long passages of the characters just thinking about stuff. And mostly it was stuff they'd already thought about. The beginning was especially repetitive with these moments. I really wanted to feel like I was experiencing this adventure alongside the characters but I never ended up being sucked in enough to feel like that and I'm still sad about it.
I did like the two main characters and wish we could have seen more of their lives from beforehand instead of just the few memories they kept telling us about. I feel like there was so much telling in this book and not enough seeing. There also didn't seem to be a lot of world building or much explanation as to what had happened on Earth to lead people to need Gaia and how Jules' and Mia's worlds were so different, especially when he said he really didn't have much money. Why was there so much difference between the Earth that Mia knew in LA and Chicago and the Earth Jules experienced in London? I'm not really clear on that. Though I could honestly have just spaced out during one of their inner monologues that explained it all. I also liked the archaeology aspect and the idea that the problems were based on math and languages rather than strength or physcial abilities. It gives us the chance to see less typical action movie hero types in the lead and I really liked how both Jules and Mia used their strengths to work with each other through the puzzles.
Also, the end was insanely frustrating. I hate cliffhanger endings and this one had a huge one. I've always hated them but felt they were sort of going away recently in YA, which was making me really happy. But then this one came and I knew it was going to be a cliffhanger when it started getting closer to the end and there was still NO explanation for anything. It almost feels like an incomplete book rather than a cliffhanger. And I hate that so much. I just feel like we as readers deserve some sort of explanation or conclusion after spending time with the authors' words and characters. But we don't really get much here.
I'm honestly not sure if I'll continue this series or not. If the writing continues similarly in the next one, I probably won't. I want something that's described as "Indiana Jones in space" to be more exciting and suspenseful with adventures that readers can participate in rather than just wait as the MC decodes some message and then moves through. I want something with more thrills that keeps me turning the pages not a lot of paragraphs explaining how they feel about the situation they're in. Again. I feel horrible writing this review but I don't think I could hide my disappointment in this book, nor do I want to. I was really looking forward to this one. I really wanted to love it but in the end, it was just lacking. We see too little of the world they exist in, the suspense and danger isn't used to their full abilities, and we still end up with no real answers in the end. If you guys get the chance to read this, I really hope you'll love it more than I did.
I did like the two main characters and wish we could have seen more of their lives from beforehand instead of just the few memories they kept telling us about. I feel like there was so much telling in this book and not enough seeing. There also didn't seem to be a lot of world building or much explanation as to what had happened on Earth to lead people to need Gaia and how Jules' and Mia's worlds were so different, especially when he said he really didn't have much money. Why was there so much difference between the Earth that Mia knew in LA and Chicago and the Earth Jules experienced in London? I'm not really clear on that. Though I could honestly have just spaced out during one of their inner monologues that explained it all. I also liked the archaeology aspect and the idea that the problems were based on math and languages rather than strength or physcial abilities. It gives us the chance to see less typical action movie hero types in the lead and I really liked how both Jules and Mia used their strengths to work with each other through the puzzles.
Also, the end was insanely frustrating. I hate cliffhanger endings and this one had a huge one. I've always hated them but felt they were sort of going away recently in YA, which was making me really happy. But then this one came and I knew it was going to be a cliffhanger when it started getting closer to the end and there was still NO explanation for anything. It almost feels like an incomplete book rather than a cliffhanger. And I hate that so much. I just feel like we as readers deserve some sort of explanation or conclusion after spending time with the authors' words and characters. But we don't really get much here.
I'm honestly not sure if I'll continue this series or not. If the writing continues similarly in the next one, I probably won't. I want something that's described as "Indiana Jones in space" to be more exciting and suspenseful with adventures that readers can participate in rather than just wait as the MC decodes some message and then moves through. I want something with more thrills that keeps me turning the pages not a lot of paragraphs explaining how they feel about the situation they're in. Again. I feel horrible writing this review but I don't think I could hide my disappointment in this book, nor do I want to. I was really looking forward to this one. I really wanted to love it but in the end, it was just lacking. We see too little of the world they exist in, the suspense and danger isn't used to their full abilities, and we still end up with no real answers in the end. If you guys get the chance to read this, I really hope you'll love it more than I did.
hate it when the first book of a series ends with a cliffhanger and no resolution whatsoever. other than that it was a fun, fast paced adventure book.
Second time around I'd probably call it more of a 3.5 star rating. It's still good and I am definitely going to pick up the sequel but I found things a bit more annoying and what not during the second read.
How the hell you going to end a book like that? Haha, well now I will be sitting in anticipation for the sequel. Holy crap that was good, and Jules and Mia are fantastic characters with such good chemistry. Watching them work together, fight with one another, and their attraction to each other was so well written. Nothing I like more than good conversation and witty banter. I loved the whole alien archeology premise, and the Undying had a great mystery surrounding them and why they were leading earth to them. And yeah, what happens at the end, I didn't see that coming! Book 2 now please!?!?! 4.5 out of 5.
Also a couple side notes.
1) I received the copy of this book from the Quartly Literary YA Box with the Page Habit commentary notes, which was great! I loved hearing how Kaufman and Spooner researched something or inspiration came about.
2) If I have to read one more Indiana Jones meets Tomb Raider comment/review because people are too lazy to think of a better description, I might puke.
Also a couple side notes.
1) I received the copy of this book from the Quartly Literary YA Box with the Page Habit commentary notes, which was great! I loved hearing how Kaufman and Spooner researched something or inspiration came about.
2) If I have to read one more Indiana Jones meets Tomb Raider comment/review because people are too lazy to think of a better description, I might puke.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Guess who forgot this was not a standalone? Woooo
Anyway, quick thoughts:
- A fun, quick read that I enjoyed all the way through. Everything is very Cool™
- Jules and Mia are kind of instalovey, which isn't really my thing. This was probably the best case scenario for instalove, though? I did genuinely like their friendship and feel that they could have a nice, healthy romance some day, so the book wasn't trying to sell me on something ludicrous. I also liked the development of their friendship, so most of the crush stuff actually worked on me—mostly it felt weird off the start, when it seemed to take precedence over more realistic emotions like skepticism, distrust, and fear. Also, the authors felt the need to remind me that they were attracted to each other......a lot? I didn't forget.
- The characters were wayyy more likeable than I expected. They were tropes-with-a-twist that actually worked within the story, characters with more depth and more layers than I anticipated. The conflict and tension between characters actually made sense from both POVs; motivations were logical and reactions were grounded in reality. I kept expecting Pointless Drama but it did not happen, yay.
- The thing that made me saddest was that the puzzles and traps were a strangely small part of the story. The solutions were often really compelling and fun, but Jules and Mia always solved the problem a lot faster than I expected. I wanted to feel more tension around their maze-travels, and have more time to think about the puzzle myself. All the thinking parts always went by in a couple of sentences, to keep the story moving. I got a strong Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild vibe from this, which was awesome in terms of aesthetics, but I do feel like exploring a physical temple made of ancient technological traps should take MORE time than exploring a virtual one.
- The
Anyway, quick thoughts:
- A fun, quick read that I enjoyed all the way through. Everything is very Cool™
- Jules and Mia are kind of instalovey, which isn't really my thing. This was probably the best case scenario for instalove, though? I did genuinely like their friendship and feel that they could have a nice, healthy romance some day, so the book wasn't trying to sell me on something ludicrous. I also liked the development of their friendship, so most of the crush stuff actually worked on me—mostly it felt weird off the start, when it seemed to take precedence over more realistic emotions like skepticism, distrust, and fear. Also, the authors felt the need to remind me that they were attracted to each other......a lot? I didn't forget.
- The characters were wayyy more likeable than I expected. They were tropes-with-a-twist that actually worked within the story, characters with more depth and more layers than I anticipated. The conflict and tension between characters actually made sense from both POVs; motivations were logical and reactions were grounded in reality. I kept expecting Pointless Drama but it did not happen, yay.
- The thing that made me saddest was that the puzzles and traps were a strangely small part of the story. The solutions were often really compelling and fun, but Jules and Mia always solved the problem a lot faster than I expected. I wanted to feel more tension around their maze-travels, and have more time to think about the puzzle myself. All the thinking parts always went by in a couple of sentences, to keep the story moving. I got a strong Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild vibe from this, which was awesome in terms of aesthetics, but I do feel like exploring a physical temple made of ancient technological traps should take MORE time than exploring a virtual one.
- The
Spoiler
twist ending was telegraphed for 100000 years, so much so that by about 50 pages in I was thinking "Okay, I'm supposed to ASSUME that this is the answer, but it's actually something else......." Nope. It's just that thing. I didn't actually mind the twist at all; it's a great premise. I just felt a little confused by the book's belief that I was going to be So ShOcKeD.
What is this craziness?!?!??!?! That ending though!! Oh my gosh!!
But first off. Dang, that book was fantastic. Definitely Indiana Jones in space. I absolutely loved it!
Characters:
I love how Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner manage to write such unique characters. I was worried that I was going to mix them up with the characters from the Starbound Trilogy, but they stood nicely on their own. I love the combination of Mia and Jules. It took me a bit to start liking Jules, but by middle, I absolutely loved them both. Side characters were interesting and had some nice twists.
Writing: Need I say anything beyond, it's Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner? It's freaking fantastic!
Building on that, the settings were fantastic. I loved the variety you got through flashbacks, especially Mia in Chicago. There is also a major setting transition in the last third of the book and I really enjoyed that.
Plot: Wow, what a crazy adventure. I was kind of sad that it didn't take place on a space ship like so many of Amie's books do, but the temple was so cool. I loved the Indiana Jones vibe. And the last third of the book really brought out the sci-fi aspect, which I loved.
I absolutely loved it! That cliffhanger ending though! Come on Amie and Meagan, that's Sarah J. Maas' job, lol. It definitely made me rethink the entire book. I can't wait to read the next one and see what happens!
But first off. Dang, that book was fantastic. Definitely Indiana Jones in space. I absolutely loved it!
Characters:
I love how Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner manage to write such unique characters. I was worried that I was going to mix them up with the characters from the Starbound Trilogy, but they stood nicely on their own. I love the combination of Mia and Jules. It took me a bit to start liking Jules, but by middle, I absolutely loved them both. Side characters were interesting and had some nice twists.
Writing: Need I say anything beyond, it's Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner? It's freaking fantastic!
Building on that, the settings were fantastic. I loved the variety you got through flashbacks, especially Mia in Chicago. There is also a major setting transition in the last third of the book and I really enjoyed that.
Plot: Wow, what a crazy adventure. I was kind of sad that it didn't take place on a space ship like so many of Amie's books do, but the temple was so cool. I loved the Indiana Jones vibe. And the last third of the book really brought out the sci-fi aspect, which I loved.
I absolutely loved it! That cliffhanger ending though! Come on Amie and Meagan, that's Sarah J. Maas' job, lol. It definitely made me rethink the entire book. I can't wait to read the next one and see what happens!