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sierrainstitches's review
I might come back to this. It’s not bad, just not catching me.
katken's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.5
ellie_p's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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? No
4.0
This was a fun read!
Rory Thorne is badass!
Rory Thorne is badass!
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
4.0
I have no idea why this book wasn't on my radar, why I had never heard about it. The moment I found out that this is a fairytale princess story set in space I was sold. I love fairytales, I love science and therefore sci-fi and the combination sounded delicious! So, when the book arrived last Friday I knew that it was gonna move instantly to the very top of my to be read list. However, maybe it wasn't the smartest idea to start this book the day after being down with migraine.
Because if there's one thing you need for this book, it's a functioning brain. This is not the kind of book you race through while your head is working through other things. You really have to keep up, have to pay attention and have to make sure you catch each and every word and explanation. Because that's the only way to appreciate this book, it's cleverness, the way it's told and phrased, how everything the characters do is planned and calculated.
Rory is not the kind of princess who wins battles with swords. Partly because, even though this is taking place in space and a well advanced society, traditional gender roles are still a thing. The moment Rory's little brother is born, she becomes a wife to be, trained to serve her husband and kingdom. However, Rory's mind functions perfectly and a few people might have sneaked in some very useful lessons when it comes to playing political games.
Because technically that's what this is. A big political game, chess at the highest possible level. All the characters are scheming and planning. They all have their own goals and their own methods to reach those goals. And to win they really need to be smarter than the opponent. And I personally find that a million times more interesting than sword fights and other physical battles. I prefer an impressive brain over muscles every day.
To give all of this context the story is told by a historian looking back on the events. Therefore we get a lot of context and a lot of information on society, history, philosophy and other, at first glance not always relevant, departments. However, this also means we can follow all characters and their actions and it means the author could end this book, first in a duology, with the most brilliant last line I've ever read. I WANT MORE!
Because if there's one thing you need for this book, it's a functioning brain. This is not the kind of book you race through while your head is working through other things. You really have to keep up, have to pay attention and have to make sure you catch each and every word and explanation. Because that's the only way to appreciate this book, it's cleverness, the way it's told and phrased, how everything the characters do is planned and calculated.
Rory is not the kind of princess who wins battles with swords. Partly because, even though this is taking place in space and a well advanced society, traditional gender roles are still a thing. The moment Rory's little brother is born, she becomes a wife to be, trained to serve her husband and kingdom. However, Rory's mind functions perfectly and a few people might have sneaked in some very useful lessons when it comes to playing political games.
Because technically that's what this is. A big political game, chess at the highest possible level. All the characters are scheming and planning. They all have their own goals and their own methods to reach those goals. And to win they really need to be smarter than the opponent. And I personally find that a million times more interesting than sword fights and other physical battles. I prefer an impressive brain over muscles every day.
To give all of this context the story is told by a historian looking back on the events. Therefore we get a lot of context and a lot of information on society, history, philosophy and other, at first glance not always relevant, departments. However, this also means we can follow all characters and their actions and it means the author could end this book, first in a duology, with the most brilliant last line I've ever read. I WANT MORE!
bethbock27's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.25
galacticturnip's review
5.0
Absolutely Fantastic
A space opera where a Princess Leia like princess saves and destroys the universe with diplomacy and tech magic. The writing is brilliant, the depth of the political world building is brilliant. The characters were all equally well rounded and likable, like a ghibli film. I loved the whole thing.
A space opera where a Princess Leia like princess saves and destroys the universe with diplomacy and tech magic. The writing is brilliant, the depth of the political world building is brilliant. The characters were all equally well rounded and likable, like a ghibli film. I loved the whole thing.