3.95 AVERAGE


The best parts of this were the ones that weren't focused on linguistics. Seeing a near sci-fi world built out was really fun and engaging, but it made the chapters with the main characters feel oddly flat.

It's a quick read, and was good for what it was.
adventurous challenging mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
informative reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
adventurous dark hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense 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

Wow! From the first page on I was gripped by Nayler‘s writing and surged through the book in just a few days. Every chapter seems to spark new thoughts, start more philosophical discussions, on and on until the very end. As the story unfolds, the author confronts the reader with questions about consciousness, identity, (artificial) intelligence, culture, communication, free will and many other topics—while managing to pack the story with high-tech drones, androids, hackers and fluid tanks. Making it feel like an effortless essay about the minds of octopuses as seen through the eyes of a marine biologist, as well as a tense sci-fi thriller at the same time. I cannot praise this book enough! 
adventurous mysterious 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: No
informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad slow-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 challenging informative reflective 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: N/A
adventurous challenging mysterious reflective slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Intriguing, strange, heartwarming, and thought-provoking, though hardly a "thriller" as described by the blurb. In fact, I felt that almost all of the blurb and description were just a few degrees off, and what I ended up reading was something entirely different than what I was expecting. Still a great read.
challenging emotional mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes