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rainymountainreads's review against another edition
4.0
Lots of humour, engaging characters, interesting aliens. Really enjoyed the world. My favourite bit? A half Indian protagonist with super powers!
picklefall1's review against another edition
5.0
Sharp writing, detailed science, funny dialogue
One of the best prologues I've ever read, and I usually don't like prologues. This had the right level of worldbuilding--not overly complicated, but deep enough to feel real and interesting, and I enjoyed the romance--the talk of chest hairs had me chuckling :)
Parts I found memorable:
-"Rex, I know it's called a punchline, but you don't have to actually hit me--"
-"'Well, if push comes to shove I know a guy who can make him one.' 'Then let us hope that push and shove stay well clear of one another.'"
-"Make your final prayers to your false gods, we are ending your heresy here and now."
I could keep going on the funny lines, but I'll leave those for you to find for yourself. Go ahead and read this book or I'm telling Rohan. And you don't want him to be upset!
One of the best prologues I've ever read, and I usually don't like prologues. This had the right level of worldbuilding--not overly complicated, but deep enough to feel real and interesting, and I enjoyed the romance--the talk of chest hairs had me chuckling :)
Parts I found memorable:
-"Rex, I know it's called a punchline, but you don't have to actually hit me--"
-"'Well, if push comes to shove I know a guy who can make him one.' 'Then let us hope that push and shove stay well clear of one another.'"
-"Make your final prayers to your false gods, we are ending your heresy here and now."
I could keep going on the funny lines, but I'll leave those for you to find for yourself. Go ahead and read this book or I'm telling Rohan. And you don't want him to be upset!
dragool's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
slow-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
4.0
moi_av's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
ronitjauthor's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I can totally imagine Ram Charan playing Rohan in a Telegu adaptation of this book!
I really enjoyed reading this one, and the protagonist is the reason why. I LOVED the protagonist. The story was okay, your typical reluctant-hero, trying to run away from a dark past kinda story that isn't as fleshed out as I would've liked, but the protagonist really made it up for me.
THE BAD:
I'll get the bad stuff out first, because the good deserves a lot more attention. I've already mentioned the plot, and I can see how that can be a problem for some readers. This is JCM Berne's debut novel, and it is a little rough around the edges in terms of plot.
With the plot, there are also some narrative issues I could see. Especially with the way tension is built. Given how overpowered Rohan is, there's little room for the reader to feel worried. Throw whatever high-stakes problem his way, and Rohan will find some way to overcome the issue/outsmart the bad guys, all with a weirdly positive attitude.
Lastly, some of the payoffs didn't feel earned.The twist in the end with the Mothers and the secret behind the Hybrid's powers sorta came out of nowhere. It was an awesome piece of world-building, but it kinda didn't make sense to me from either a plot or a character perspective. I would've preferred if it were kept for the sequels. I didn't mind it, but just like this one, there were many elements that I found hard to make sense of. Just because they're fun doesn't mean they're good, and I can see many folks feeling turned off by them.
THE GOOD:
I might be the only one saying this but... this book was super cosy for me! Maybe it was the ton of pop culture references[I legit laughed out loud when I realised what Iron Squid was] , the humour, or the fact that the protagonist comes from my homeland (not the same state, but still), this book was packed with stuff that I LOVE. As if Berne knew exactly what I liked, and made this really fun story about this really awesome superhero in space, almost tailor-made for me.
No but seriously, Rohan is a very likeable protagonist. Like, anime-hero, Luffy/Goku-level likeable. Of course, he has his dark past, but the way he is struggling to overcome his past and just lead a normal life was somewhat too real and relatable. I know it's a trope, but Berne has done it so well with the character that you can use this book as a good example for it.
Secondly, I loved the character interactions. I know it's an extension of Rohan but bear with me (pun intended). Be it his interactiosn with the Ursans, his romantic escapades with Tamara, his genuine efforts to befriend Rinth, or his playful relationships with Wei Li and Wistful, or even the friendship he builds with Ben Stone, it's just beautiful! Berne has spent more time cultivating these relationships than he did building the world, and I'm 100% with him on this. I would love to read more about these relationships, with the occasional action scenes.
Lastly, the world-building. I know I said how it's not done enough, but whatever glimpses I got reminded me of Guardians of the Galaxy meets Godzilla meets Star Wars. I loved how smartly and creatively Berne has added all these pop culture references and made them background props to this character-driven story of Rohan. They don't all fall into place, but they make for some very fun moments.
All in all, a great read, and I look forward to reading more from Berne!
TL;DR
WHAT I LIKED: Rohan, character moments, pop culture references
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: plot and narrative issues
P.S.: I've been following Berne's Grimdwarf serialisation in his Grimdwarf Magazine, and I'm really enjoying it!
I really enjoyed reading this one, and the protagonist is the reason why. I LOVED the protagonist. The story was okay, your typical reluctant-hero, trying to run away from a dark past kinda story that isn't as fleshed out as I would've liked, but the protagonist really made it up for me.
THE BAD:
I'll get the bad stuff out first, because the good deserves a lot more attention. I've already mentioned the plot, and I can see how that can be a problem for some readers. This is JCM Berne's debut novel, and it is a little rough around the edges in terms of plot.
With the plot, there are also some narrative issues I could see. Especially with the way tension is built. Given how overpowered Rohan is, there's little room for the reader to feel worried. Throw whatever high-stakes problem his way, and Rohan will find some way to overcome the issue/outsmart the bad guys, all with a weirdly positive attitude.
Lastly, some of the payoffs didn't feel earned.
THE GOOD:
I might be the only one saying this but... this book was super cosy for me! Maybe it was the ton of pop culture references
No but seriously, Rohan is a very likeable protagonist. Like, anime-hero, Luffy/Goku-level likeable. Of course, he has his dark past, but the way he is struggling to overcome his past and just lead a normal life was somewhat too real and relatable. I know it's a trope, but Berne has done it so well with the character that you can use this book as a good example for it.
Secondly, I loved the character interactions. I know it's an extension of Rohan but bear with me (pun intended). Be it his interactiosn with the Ursans, his romantic escapades with Tamara, his genuine efforts to befriend Rinth, or his playful relationships with Wei Li and Wistful, or even the friendship he builds with Ben Stone, it's just beautiful! Berne has spent more time cultivating these relationships than he did building the world, and I'm 100% with him on this. I would love to read more about these relationships, with the occasional action scenes.
Lastly, the world-building. I know I said how it's not done enough, but whatever glimpses I got reminded me of Guardians of the Galaxy meets Godzilla meets Star Wars. I loved how smartly and creatively Berne has added all these pop culture references and made them background props to this character-driven story of Rohan. They don't all fall into place, but they make for some very fun moments.
All in all, a great read, and I look forward to reading more from Berne!
TL;DR
WHAT I LIKED: Rohan, character moments, pop culture references
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: plot and narrative issues
P.S.: I've been following Berne's Grimdwarf serialisation in his Grimdwarf Magazine, and I'm really enjoying it!
chloefrizzle's review against another edition
4.0
Fun, while also being surprisingly deep for a book that describes itself as a superhero space opera.
ianthereader0's review against another edition
5.0
To be honest, I enjoyed everything about this book. Review to come!
cyriax's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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
3.5
This was a very fun book. The characters are well written. I enjoyed the humor and was surprised by the heart of the story. The main character had excellent depth and some of the side characters were well fleshed out as well. The narrator of the audiobook was excellent as well.
kevinscorner's review against another edition
4.5
Wistful Ascending is a scifi mash-up of the superhero and space opera subgenres. Rohan is a part-human and part-il’Drach Hybrid, giving him extraordinary superpowers. Initially a superhero on earth then a soldier in the intergalactic il’Drach Empire, he has left that life behind after growing jaded with the things he was forced to do. Now, he has relocated to Wistful, an independent space station in the far reaches of the empire, to hopefully lead a low-key, mundane life. But when unexpected events start swirling around the space station, the eyes of the empire are back on Wistful (and ultimately Rohan).
The book starts with Rohan fighting several other Hybrids in an action-heavy and out-of-context interaction. And I thought this prologue did the book a disservice because it is not representative of the actual book. Wistful Ascending is actually fairly intriguing and compelling with a balance of character work and action. It is fun and quirky and a delight to read.
Rohan is just a protagonist you can root for. He struggles with the things he had to do in his past military life for a regime that is too powerful to resist, and he just wants to settle down and live as normal a life as his nature can let him. He attempts to find friendship and romance, but his capabilities and sense of responsibility just keep getting in the way.
Wistful Ascending is a funny and earnest scifi adventure about a reluctant superhero in space.
The book starts with Rohan fighting several other Hybrids in an action-heavy and out-of-context interaction. And I thought this prologue did the book a disservice because it is not representative of the actual book. Wistful Ascending is actually fairly intriguing and compelling with a balance of character work and action. It is fun and quirky and a delight to read.
Rohan is just a protagonist you can root for. He struggles with the things he had to do in his past military life for a regime that is too powerful to resist, and he just wants to settle down and live as normal a life as his nature can let him. He attempts to find friendship and romance, but his capabilities and sense of responsibility just keep getting in the way.
Wistful Ascending is a funny and earnest scifi adventure about a reluctant superhero in space.
chloefrizzle's review against another edition
4.0
Fun, while also being surprisingly deep for a book that describes itself as a superhero space opera.