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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
3.5 It seems strange to use the word "gentle" to describe a SF book, but that's the word that comes to mind when I think about reading this. It's marketed as YA, and one of its protagonists, Noemi Vidal, is 17, but it had the feel at times of a middle grade novel—a bit lacking in subtlety or moral complexity that I expect in adult SF. But still, I enjoyed the story of Noemi, a military officer of the planet Genesis, which is in the midst of fighting back an invasion from home planet Earth (Genesis cordoned itself off from Earth when it became clear that the people of Earth were destroying their planet through misuse/overuse of technology, and would do the same to Genesis if given the chance). Noemi is prepping for the "Masada Run," a last-ditch effort to stave off the invasion by damaging the wormhole gate that leads from Earth to Genesis. But when her best friend/foster sister's ship is attached by mechs from Earth, Noemi abandons her mission to try and help Esther. Landing them both on an abandoned Earth ship, Noemi discovers that the vessel isn't quite abandoned: a high-level Earth mech is still on board, a mech far more sophisticated than any anyone from Genesis has ever encountered before.
Abel, mistakenly left behind during an enemy attack, has spent the last 30 years stuck in one room in the ship. He's grateful to be released by Noemi, even though their first encounter is a violent one. Due to an oversight in his programming, the mech, Abel, must obey the commands of the highest ranking human he encounters; Noemi, even though an enemy, just happens to be that person. After Esther's death, the two set off on a mission to try and gather materials to sabotage the wormhole gate so that 150 of Noemi's friends and fellow officers won't have to sacrifice themselves to do it. There should be no problem ordering a mere mech to sacrifice itself, she believes. But over the course of their travels, Noemi gradually discovers that there is more to Abel than even his own creator had even imagined.
Abel is similar to Star Trek Voyager's Data, although even more human-like from the start, and his own, as well as Noemi's gradual realization of Abel's abilities and autonomy, while predictable, is still moving. There are small hints of romance, here, too, which are appealing.
Hope there will be more world-building, and greater exploration of the moral issues of immigration, environmental exploitation, and just and unjust war in future volumes in the series.
Abel, mistakenly left behind during an enemy attack, has spent the last 30 years stuck in one room in the ship. He's grateful to be released by Noemi, even though their first encounter is a violent one. Due to an oversight in his programming, the mech, Abel, must obey the commands of the highest ranking human he encounters; Noemi, even though an enemy, just happens to be that person. After Esther's death, the two set off on a mission to try and gather materials to sabotage the wormhole gate so that 150 of Noemi's friends and fellow officers won't have to sacrifice themselves to do it. There should be no problem ordering a mere mech to sacrifice itself, she believes. But over the course of their travels, Noemi gradually discovers that there is more to Abel than even his own creator had even imagined.
Abel is similar to Star Trek Voyager's Data, although even more human-like from the start, and his own, as well as Noemi's gradual realization of Abel's abilities and autonomy, while predictable, is still moving. There are small hints of romance, here, too, which are appealing.
Hope there will be more world-building, and greater exploration of the moral issues of immigration, environmental exploitation, and just and unjust war in future volumes in the series.
This was a fun, heartfelt YA adventure story that explores the nature of what it means to be human. I enjoyed Able and Noemi as characters and though Gray set up a very interesting premise with the different worlds of the Loop. I look forward to reading more in the series.
OK, full disclosure - I really dislike third person present tense, so it took me a good 150 pages to get into the story. Once I got over it (and everyone got a little more like-able) it was a fun read. :)
I really didn’t know what to expect when I first started this book. Told in alternating points of view from both Noemi and Abel, readers dive into a story full of mystery, intrigue, and romance. Enemies at first, it’s not long before Noemi and Abel realize that they are actually on the same side. Also the romance between human and machine is a slow burn that will have readers cheering the duo on. I really didn’t know how I expected the book to end, be it was phenomenal! With the story somewhat tied up, readers will be clamouring for the next installment in this series.
adventurous
medium-paced
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
This book did not disappoint. Gray writing just pulls you in. You can tell she puts heart and soul into her writing and is deep into the story in her mind. And an awesome story it is.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-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:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved the world that this adventure took place in. I can't say much else about why without spoiling so I'll do that later. All the side characters that come in throughout the book are fully fleshed out, there is no cheap one off character, they all have motives and back stories.
For my full review with spoilers check out my blog at vickyposts.wordpress.com
For my full review with spoilers check out my blog at vickyposts.wordpress.com
Goodreads review: "MANAGED TO FINISH IT BEFORE THE YEAR ENDS!! is new years in an hour? mayhaps 👀 was this book a super nice read to end it with? absolutely 😌 i believe this was my first sci-fi read ever and even though it took me a while to get through, it didn’t feel long at all? :0 the characters and journey were so lovely, the ending made me big sad honestly only for how open it left everything? part of me just wanted it all wrapped in a nice envelope, but i suppose that’s part of the realism of it 🤔 i actually thought this was “this is how you lose the time war”, so, for the first maybe 30 pages, i was so convinced noemi was in love with her best friend (which, looking back, 100% believable) but, alas, the romance that did end up taking place was very beautiful and believable! especially under their circumstances 🤝 also, even though i’m sure the intention wasn’t this, but abel, our dearest mech friend, felt like such a relatable representation of misunderstanding social cues and idk, just, the inability to understand emotions and such aka headcannon for him is he’s autistic, even though i’m not sure if he can be bUT he’s also a mech with a soul and this is sci-fi sooo tomato tomato 😎 happy new year 🎉 here’s to all the other amazing (and not so amazing) future reads just like this one"
Abel gender envy :( I've met someone that reminds me of him now that I think about it, but I'm not sure if that'd be a compliment or not to them ksdfgnksd
Abel gender envy :( I've met someone that reminds me of him now that I think about it, but I'm not sure if that'd be a compliment or not to them ksdfgnksd