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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
I received this free from the publishers via NetGalley
3.5 stars
Noemi Vidal is a soldier for Genesis – a planet colonised by Earth. However, Genesis is rebelling against Earth and an intergalactic war has broken out. Genesis doesn’t want Earth to ruin their planet as they did their own, and many others. Abel is a machine, his programming becoming more advanced in his 30 years stranded in space. To Noemi, Abel is an abomination, and to Abel, Noemi is the enemy. However, being stranded in space, they are forced to work together and both start to question everything they’ve ever been taught about each other.
I love a good science fiction book – especially ones that feature intergalactic wars and space ships. The science fiction was written well. I loved the exploration of planets and the exploring of space. I could make a lot of comparisons to other science fiction works. For example, their ship was called the Daedalus and all I could think about was Stargate – especially because they also had a gate, which allowed for quick intergalactic travel through a worm hole, which shimmered like a puddle. But other than that, the world (galaxy?) building was actually done really well, so that is always a positive, and something definitely needed in a science fiction novel.
The plot itself was at times predictable. I called the plot twist from a mile away, which is one of the reasons it’s receiving a lower rating from me. However, that isn’t to say it isn’t a fun space adventure filled with action and science fiction, because it really is. I would have loved a bit more political intrigue. Especially in a book that features an intergalactic war, fighting over resources or the protection of their planet, so that was a bit of a let-down.
I LOVED Noemi. She’s a fearless leader and a badass soldier. She’s a space pilot/fighter, and I have a soft spot for pilots! She was smart and strategic, compassionate and kind, but could also be cold and harsh. A really great character. Abel is pragmatic and logical, which is obvious being a robot. However, most of his development comes from his developing and advanced programming. He’s becoming more self-aware. He dreams and he feels, and he wishes to, ultimately, be free which does contradict with his programming so he has that struggle going on. He was an interesting character. The romance between Noemi and Abel was a little… weird, mainly because he’s a robot and she’s a human, but it did sort of work, they actually had some good chemistry.
Overall, if you’re looking for an interesting space novel then I would definitely recommend this.
3.5 stars
Noemi Vidal is a soldier for Genesis – a planet colonised by Earth. However, Genesis is rebelling against Earth and an intergalactic war has broken out. Genesis doesn’t want Earth to ruin their planet as they did their own, and many others. Abel is a machine, his programming becoming more advanced in his 30 years stranded in space. To Noemi, Abel is an abomination, and to Abel, Noemi is the enemy. However, being stranded in space, they are forced to work together and both start to question everything they’ve ever been taught about each other.
I love a good science fiction book – especially ones that feature intergalactic wars and space ships. The science fiction was written well. I loved the exploration of planets and the exploring of space. I could make a lot of comparisons to other science fiction works. For example, their ship was called the Daedalus and all I could think about was Stargate – especially because they also had a gate, which allowed for quick intergalactic travel through a worm hole, which shimmered like a puddle. But other than that, the world (galaxy?) building was actually done really well, so that is always a positive, and something definitely needed in a science fiction novel.
The plot itself was at times predictable. I called the plot twist from a mile away, which is one of the reasons it’s receiving a lower rating from me. However, that isn’t to say it isn’t a fun space adventure filled with action and science fiction, because it really is. I would have loved a bit more political intrigue. Especially in a book that features an intergalactic war, fighting over resources or the protection of their planet, so that was a bit of a let-down.
I LOVED Noemi. She’s a fearless leader and a badass soldier. She’s a space pilot/fighter, and I have a soft spot for pilots! She was smart and strategic, compassionate and kind, but could also be cold and harsh. A really great character. Abel is pragmatic and logical, which is obvious being a robot. However, most of his development comes from his developing and advanced programming. He’s becoming more self-aware. He dreams and he feels, and he wishes to, ultimately, be free which does contradict with his programming so he has that struggle going on. He was an interesting character. The romance between Noemi and Abel was a little… weird, mainly because he’s a robot and she’s a human, but it did sort of work, they actually had some good chemistry.
Overall, if you’re looking for an interesting space novel then I would definitely recommend this.
Good Sci-Fi that is going to be the first of the series, but can stand alone.
This should be a heart-wrenching tale of an AI gaining sentience and falling in love, only to be destroyed in a suicide mission to save the solar system. Unfortunately it only really gets halfway there.
Defy the Stars is a YA space opera focusing on an unlikely friendship between a girl and AI cyborg from an enemy planet. Noemi is a teenage fighter pilot who stumbles across Abel, a teenage cyborg whose ship was abandoned in the midst of a firefight 30 years ago. Noemi unwittingly becomes Abel’s new commander and they travel round the galaxy as part of a suicide mission to save her planet.
In this universe, Earth exceeded its resources and began terraforming planets. At some point one of these planets, Genesis, seceded from the colonies and incited the Liberty War. Genesis and Earth have been at war ever since, with Earth sending advanced cyborgs through stargates to annihilate the Genesis forces. Unfortunately for Genesis they lack the cybernetic capabilities to develop their own cyborg armies, and as such send their own people to their deaths. That’s where Noemi comes in.
While this isn’t a tale of starcross’d lovers that will have you weeping at 2am, it is a very sweet and funny tale about the unlikely friendship between a girl and a cyborg and how we truly define the concept of the “soul”. We get to follow Abel as he grows increasingly more human, and Claudia Gray presents an interesting discussion on whether souls can be limited only to human organisms, or whether artificial intelligence and robotic sentience may advance so far so as to be deemed a soul. Noemi and Abel have a really cute dynamic, and there were a few laugh-out-loud moments when Abel begins to crack jokes.
All of this sounds like stuff I love, and you’d be right - but it just doesn’t pack as much of a punch as I thought it would. I have to rate it 3.5 stars because I just wanted more. I should’ve been falling head over heels for these characters, and I should’ve been violently sobbing at the thought of a human and AI blowing themselves up to save humanity. And y’know what? I just didn’t.
There was just something lacking in the worldbuilding, in the chemistry between the protagonists, and in the climax. The story never really built to a crescendo for me, and I couldn’t tell if it was down to a fault in storytelling or whether Gray was saving the excitement for later in the series. Unfortunately for her, saving all the good bits for later absolutely kills any motivation I have to carry on with the series. It almost feels like second book slump, except this is the first book?!
Overall: I liked Defy the Stars but didn’t love it. I wanted Gray to take more risks, I wanted Gray to explain more, and I wanted Gray to do more. It was fun and I liked it, but I don’t feel compelled to pick up the sequels anytime soon. The ending was vague enough that I could easily put it down and form my own headcanon for how it ended, assuming I may eventually pick up the sequel if I hear good things from friends, but ultimately there are other books I’m more excited to get to.
Defy the Stars is a YA space opera focusing on an unlikely friendship between a girl and AI cyborg from an enemy planet. Noemi is a teenage fighter pilot who stumbles across Abel, a teenage cyborg whose ship was abandoned in the midst of a firefight 30 years ago. Noemi unwittingly becomes Abel’s new commander and they travel round the galaxy as part of a suicide mission to save her planet.
In this universe, Earth exceeded its resources and began terraforming planets. At some point one of these planets, Genesis, seceded from the colonies and incited the Liberty War. Genesis and Earth have been at war ever since, with Earth sending advanced cyborgs through stargates to annihilate the Genesis forces. Unfortunately for Genesis they lack the cybernetic capabilities to develop their own cyborg armies, and as such send their own people to their deaths. That’s where Noemi comes in.
While this isn’t a tale of starcross’d lovers that will have you weeping at 2am, it is a very sweet and funny tale about the unlikely friendship between a girl and a cyborg and how we truly define the concept of the “soul”. We get to follow Abel as he grows increasingly more human, and Claudia Gray presents an interesting discussion on whether souls can be limited only to human organisms, or whether artificial intelligence and robotic sentience may advance so far so as to be deemed a soul. Noemi and Abel have a really cute dynamic, and there were a few laugh-out-loud moments when Abel begins to crack jokes.
All of this sounds like stuff I love, and you’d be right - but it just doesn’t pack as much of a punch as I thought it would. I have to rate it 3.5 stars because I just wanted more. I should’ve been falling head over heels for these characters, and I should’ve been violently sobbing at the thought of a human and AI blowing themselves up to save humanity. And y’know what? I just didn’t.
There was just something lacking in the worldbuilding, in the chemistry between the protagonists, and in the climax. The story never really built to a crescendo for me, and I couldn’t tell if it was down to a fault in storytelling or whether Gray was saving the excitement for later in the series. Unfortunately for her, saving all the good bits for later absolutely kills any motivation I have to carry on with the series. It almost feels like second book slump, except this is the first book?!
Overall: I liked Defy the Stars but didn’t love it. I wanted Gray to take more risks, I wanted Gray to explain more, and I wanted Gray to do more. It was fun and I liked it, but I don’t feel compelled to pick up the sequels anytime soon. The ending was vague enough that I could easily put it down and form my own headcanon for how it ended, assuming
Spoiler
Abel lived a long and happy life as the leader of a vagabond ship not unlike the Firefly crew, and Noemi eventually destroyed the Genesis gate and saved her people.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Liked the world building more than the characters.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
medium-paced
I'm not usually one for sci-fi books, but after reading the Firebird series, I'll make an exception for Claudia Gray's writing. Great world-building, and very thought-provoking plot. This was an enjoyable read, fast-paced and engaging.
Noemi is an amazing character, strong and selfless, willing to risk anything to save her planet. Abel is frankly adorable in his childlike innocence. His voice is very well written, a perfect mix of mech and human. It's interesting to see how he changes through the story, becoming more and more human in his behaviour which is also reflected in his speech and thoughts. It would have been interesting to see the perspective of someone on Earth, who's fighting the war against Genesis. One of my favourite parts though, was the look into such advanced artificial intelligence that might well be a reality some time in the future. I loved the way this book ended and it's set up very nicely for what promises to be an exciting sequel!
Noemi is an amazing character, strong and selfless, willing to risk anything to save her planet. Abel is frankly adorable in his childlike innocence. His voice is very well written, a perfect mix of mech and human. It's interesting to see how he changes through the story, becoming more and more human in his behaviour which is also reflected in his speech and thoughts. It would have been interesting to see the perspective of someone on Earth, who's fighting the war against Genesis. One of my favourite parts though, was the look into such advanced artificial intelligence that might well be a reality some time in the future. I loved the way this book ended and it's set up very nicely for what promises to be an exciting sequel!
Claudia Gray, whose writing seems to get stronger with every book of hers I try, gives YA readers a far future (2295) world in which Earth has nearly destroyed itself, so it is desperate to reclaim its colonies--a "Loop" of planets connected through high tech "Gates"--that show signs of breaking away. One of them has, sparking a vicious war thirty years old: Genesis, the former colony, to keep Earth from polluting and ruining a world that its population is careful to preserve, and Earth desperate to take control again, because time is running out for the home planet.
Noemi is a seventeen year old soldier on a suicide mission. She ends up with her adoptive sister Esther who is a non-combatant, desperate to do her bit. When a routine war game practicing for a planned attack goes awry and Esther is hurt, Noemi is desperate to save her. When she discovers an anomaly, a space ship containing a single inhabitant--a mech, or robot--she breaks into that ship, and Abel the robot, made to look like a cute guy, defends the ship.
What happens after is a race against time as Noemi struggles to return to Genesis in time to help with the attack. She ends up having to traverse planets in the Loop, where she learns a lot about the world she's been born into. Also driving the plot is one of my favorite tropes which adds to the story tension.
Characterization is strong. Noemi begins the book with singleminded focus on war and fighting, pretty much as you'd expect of a child warrior. But she learns, grows, reflects in interesting ways--along with her mech companion, who is unique, and begins to examine his programming in interesting ways.
The stakes ratchet steadily upward with every new thing Noemi and Abel learn, and each new friend they make. I am no scientist, but I thought the tech Gray sets up was cool, and the biological explanations seemed reasonable to me, as well as the quick explanations of relativity, surrounded as they are by emotional intensity. Despite sometimes dense discussions of scientific razzle-dazzle, I never got the "As You Know, Bob" feel of many SF novels that make me want to skip pages.
Occasionally the plot feels a bit directed, but I'm an adult, long-time reader of SF, and I don't think I would have noticed that as a young reader, to whom the book is aimed. My only other observation is that Gray might have done a bit more research into religious history, but at least Gray brings up interesting questions, and pretty much treats religious people of various faiths with respect, which is a breath of fresh air after so many SF novels in which all Christians are uniformly throwbacks to the worst of the Puritan era in the 1600s. As if any group of human beings of whatever persuasion have a single way of thinking.
There is enough resolution to be poignant, while setting up bigger questions for a sequel that I, for one, look forward to diving into as soon as it appears.
Copy courtesy of NetGalley
Noemi is a seventeen year old soldier on a suicide mission. She ends up with her adoptive sister Esther who is a non-combatant, desperate to do her bit. When a routine war game practicing for a planned attack goes awry and Esther is hurt, Noemi is desperate to save her. When she discovers an anomaly, a space ship containing a single inhabitant--a mech, or robot--she breaks into that ship, and Abel the robot, made to look like a cute guy, defends the ship.
What happens after is a race against time as Noemi struggles to return to Genesis in time to help with the attack. She ends up having to traverse planets in the Loop, where she learns a lot about the world she's been born into. Also driving the plot is one of my favorite tropes
Spoiler
enemies turn alliesCharacterization is strong. Noemi begins the book with singleminded focus on war and fighting, pretty much as you'd expect of a child warrior. But she learns, grows, reflects in interesting ways--along with her mech companion, who is unique, and begins to examine his programming in interesting ways.
The stakes ratchet steadily upward with every new thing Noemi and Abel learn, and each new friend they make. I am no scientist, but I thought the tech Gray sets up was cool, and the biological explanations seemed reasonable to me, as well as the quick explanations of relativity, surrounded as they are by emotional intensity. Despite sometimes dense discussions of scientific razzle-dazzle, I never got the "As You Know, Bob" feel of many SF novels that make me want to skip pages.
Occasionally the plot feels a bit directed, but I'm an adult, long-time reader of SF, and I don't think I would have noticed that as a young reader, to whom the book is aimed. My only other observation is that Gray might have done a bit more research into religious history
Spoiler
If Noemi takes a rosary into a one-seater fighter with no extra space, then why didn't she know any of the prayers that Catholics routinely do with rosaries?There is enough resolution to be poignant, while setting up bigger questions for a sequel that I, for one, look forward to diving into as soon as it appears.
Copy courtesy of NetGalley