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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
World Building:
I’m generally more of a space opera/epic fantasy type when it comes to world building preference but the scientific element of this was helpful. However, with the setting being what it was, I’m not surprised it didn’t feel as immersive to me (since the landscape really wasn’t much to offer)
Characters:
I would say they are diverse. The representation of someone who has social interaction issues was nice. I saw other reviews talk about how “we’re supposed to believe the main character had all of these social issues but then tells all of this stuff in these letters to a family member?!” - You pick your people sometimes. It’s a thing, if you’re a more socially uncomfortable person.
Plot:
The ending explanation felt…odd. Kind of like a random bandaid to wrap it all up 🤔 I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it. The overall journey really played into the emotional impact / biggest theme of the book.
Emotional Impact:
Life feels heavy for a lot of folks right now. Life is heavy, to be honest. This book presents you with the dilemma of “why are we here” and “whats the point of existence” and I think the best way to pay attention to that is through the characters relationships with each other, not the plot. Ain’t that the story of life though, am I right?! Sometimes the days just don’t seem all that meaningful but the deep stuff that makes you feel reach are the memories you make with the people you love.
I’m generally more of a space opera/epic fantasy type when it comes to world building preference but the scientific element of this was helpful. However, with the setting being what it was, I’m not surprised it didn’t feel as immersive to me (since the landscape really wasn’t much to offer)
Characters:
I would say they are diverse. The representation of someone who has social interaction issues was nice. I saw other reviews talk about how “we’re supposed to believe the main character had all of these social issues but then tells all of this stuff in these letters to a family member?!” - You pick your people sometimes. It’s a thing, if you’re a more socially uncomfortable person.
Plot:
The ending explanation felt…odd. Kind of like a random bandaid to wrap it all up 🤔 I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it. The overall journey really played into the emotional impact / biggest theme of the book.
Emotional Impact:
Life feels heavy for a lot of folks right now. Life is heavy, to be honest. This book presents you with the dilemma of “why are we here” and “whats the point of existence” and I think the best way to pay attention to that is through the characters relationships with each other, not the plot. Ain’t that the story of life though, am I right?! Sometimes the days just don’t seem all that meaningful but the deep stuff that makes you feel reach are the memories you make with the people you love.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
I really enjoyed this novel. And the only reason I didn’t rate it higher is simply because I wanted more. I wish this was a chunky 600 pager filled with more detail. Perhaps structured with both the journal entries and other forms of character storytelling.
I still was satisfied with the form, and the story. But because I was so intrigued by the tale “Ascension” was spinning I closed this book feeling a little dissatisfied.
That being said. I fucking LOVED the themes in this novel. What is free will? Sisyphus endlessly going up the mountain. What does it mean to be human? Science and religion, and how the two interact. The power of belief. How love is in and of itself the true meaning of what it is to be alive and have a spiritual experience. Quantum physics and space time. Different dimensions. Grief, loss, and shame. Facing ourselves. Ugh there was so much in here, and it was soooooo good.
And when Binge leaned in I had all of the feels. I also really appreciated Harold as a main character. He was very obviously on the spectrum and I think the author did a very good job of providing nuance and depth. I really loved Naoko.
The family dynamics of Harold and his brother were incredibly interesting.
The things that live on the mountain are creepy. And some of this book gave me nostalgic X Files vibes that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Overall I had a great time on this icy purgatory of a mountain 🏔️ 🥶
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed this novel. And the only reason I didn’t rate it higher is simply because I wanted more. I wish this was a chunky 600 pager filled with more detail. Perhaps structured with both the journal entries and other forms of character storytelling.
I still was satisfied with the form, and the story. But because I was so intrigued by the tale “Ascension” was spinning I closed this book feeling a little dissatisfied.
That being said. I fucking LOVED the themes in this novel. What is free will? Sisyphus endlessly going up the mountain. What does it mean to be human? Science and religion, and how the two interact. The power of belief. How love is in and of itself the true meaning of what it is to be alive and have a spiritual experience. Quantum physics and space time. Different dimensions. Grief, loss, and shame. Facing ourselves. Ugh there was so much in here, and it was soooooo good.
And when Binge leaned in I had all of the feels. I also really appreciated Harold as a main character. He was very obviously on the spectrum and I think the author did a very good job of providing nuance and depth. I really loved Naoko.
The family dynamics of Harold and his brother were incredibly interesting.
The things that live on the mountain are creepy. And some of this book gave me nostalgic X Files vibes that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Overall I had a great time on this icy purgatory of a mountain 🏔️ 🥶
challenging
dark
fast-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
slow-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Dialogue was awkward at times (especially whenever Bettan opens his mouth whoof) and there was quite a religious presence as well which i didnt expect, then again it fits into the whole discussion of existence/meaning of life - Adam and Eve vs us being an alien's schoolproject lmao - so I see its purpose. There were more of this kind of opposites/mirrors which I really liked, but they also made the progression of the story somewhat predictable once you clock them. I did really liked how the main story is framed here by the quasi paratext, that definitely added to the spoopy atmosphere.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes