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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
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:
Complicated
This one has such a fun premise - a guy who signed up to be an expendable crew member, dying over and over again for the sake of colonising a hostile planet. Grim idea, but told with enough wit and weirdness to keep it from feeling too heavy.
The story mostly flows well, though it can get a bit bogged down in the political backstory of other planets and failed colonies. But Mickey’s voice pulls you through. He’s smart, sarcastic, and just trying to stay alive (again), and I liked how we got bits and pieces of his backstory along the way… how he got here, how he became Mickey7, what happened to all the other Mickeys. You slowly piece together why he keeps going.
Some characters (𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 Berto and Eight 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩) really test your patience, but Mickey’s got just enough charm and dry wit to carry the story. The dynamic with Nasha and the creepers adds heart and a bit of mystery to it all. And Mickey’s move at the end? Very clever. The ending wraps up in a satisfying way, but also leaves the door cracked open just enough for more chaos.
“Now onto the next one, right?” As Ashton put it in his acknowledgements. But watch this space. I’m not diving in just yet, but I’m definitely curious to see what Mickey pulls off next in Antimatter Blues.
The story mostly flows well, though it can get a bit bogged down in the political backstory of other planets and failed colonies. But Mickey’s voice pulls you through. He’s smart, sarcastic, and just trying to stay alive (again), and I liked how we got bits and pieces of his backstory along the way… how he got here, how he became Mickey7, what happened to all the other Mickeys. You slowly piece together why he keeps going.
Some characters (𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 Berto and Eight 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩) really test your patience, but Mickey’s got just enough charm and dry wit to carry the story. The dynamic with Nasha and the creepers adds heart and a bit of mystery to it all. And Mickey’s move at the end? Very clever. The ending wraps up in a satisfying way, but also leaves the door cracked open just enough for more chaos.
“Now onto the next one, right?” As Ashton put it in his acknowledgements. But watch this space. I’m not diving in just yet, but I’m definitely curious to see what Mickey pulls off next in Antimatter Blues.
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
In the future, the human race sends expeditions to attempt to colonize other planets. Mickey joined one of those expeditions as an expendable - an employee who handled dangerous jobs because if he died, a new version could be created using the bioprinter.
Due to a series of unpredictable events, Mickey7 doesn't die before Mickey8 is created, leading to a complicated problem without an easy solution. In the meantime, life on the new planet isn't going well as the native species is beginning to make itself known. Mickey7 will be the key to solving both problems.
I thought the premise of this sci-fi was intriguing, especially the technology to reprint human beings, basically making them immortal. It felt realistic, even down to the fact that the process was fraught with religious controversy.
I liked Mickey as a narrator. He was thoughtful and honest. The author did a great job of letting Mickey tell the story while keeping things from the reader that worked better to reveal later in the story.
In the end, this story made me think of Ender's Game. I don't want to give away too much, but the theme/conclusion felt similar.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. There were a few odd sexu@l moments in the story which were not described in any detail, but the actions (such as a threesome) are mentioned. It's not an issue for an adult, but it would give me pause for a YA reader under 16.
Due to a series of unpredictable events, Mickey7 doesn't die before Mickey8 is created, leading to a complicated problem without an easy solution. In the meantime, life on the new planet isn't going well as the native species is beginning to make itself known. Mickey7 will be the key to solving both problems.
I thought the premise of this sci-fi was intriguing, especially the technology to reprint human beings, basically making them immortal. It felt realistic, even down to the fact that the process was fraught with religious controversy.
I liked Mickey as a narrator. He was thoughtful and honest. The author did a great job of letting Mickey tell the story while keeping things from the reader that worked better to reveal later in the story.
In the end, this story made me think of Ender's Game. I don't want to give away too much, but the theme/conclusion felt similar.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. There were a few odd sexu@l moments in the story which were not described in any detail, but the actions (such as a threesome) are mentioned. It's not an issue for an adult, but it would give me pause for a YA reader under 16.
Après le film, le livre !
L'idée est brillante : Mickey Barnes est un consommable. On l'envoi faire des missions suicides, puis on le réanime. Là où l'auteur à su se démarquer, c'est qu'il est présenté comme un simple employé. Un employé avec un contrat de travail qu'on ne peut rompre aisément.
Le personnage principal est attachant, son ami Berto quelque peu caricatural comme son amie Nasha. Sous couvert d'un problème épineux, à savoir un second Mickey, l'auteur a ainsi creusé des réflexions profondes : la mort, la colonisation, l'ennui, le changement.
Le livre se lit facilement et m'a personnellement bien fait réfléchir. J'ai également aimé l'approche de l'auteur sur la colonisation des planètes.
Une bonne lecture pour ma part.
L'idée est brillante : Mickey Barnes est un consommable. On l'envoi faire des missions suicides, puis on le réanime. Là où l'auteur à su se démarquer, c'est qu'il est présenté comme un simple employé. Un employé avec un contrat de travail qu'on ne peut rompre aisément.
Le personnage principal est attachant, son ami Berto quelque peu caricatural comme son amie Nasha. Sous couvert d'un problème épineux, à savoir un second Mickey, l'auteur a ainsi creusé des réflexions profondes : la mort, la colonisation, l'ennui, le changement.
Le livre se lit facilement et m'a personnellement bien fait réfléchir. J'ai également aimé l'approche de l'auteur sur la colonisation des planètes.
Une bonne lecture pour ma part.
adventurous
dark
funny
reflective
fast-paced
"I opened my mouth to say something about not really wanting to do things that a heavy lifter can't, but before I could get anything out we were in a barrel roll and I was screaming like a... well, like one of what I was, I guess, which was someone who was suddenly, shamelessly, gut-churningly terrified of dying. I think that's when I first realized that despite all the training, despite the indoctrination, despite the incontrovertible fact that I l'd died five times by then and I was clearly still alive- deep down, in my heart of hearts, I did not believe in immortality" Page 65
"I've always believe it's important to accept the people in your life for what they are. There's no such thing as a perfect friend, any more than there's any such thing as a perfect anything, and if you slag everyone in your life for their many and varied failings, you're going to miss appreciating the good stuff they bring to the table" Page 93
"I've always believe it's important to accept the people in your life for what they are. There's no such thing as a perfect friend, any more than there's any such thing as a perfect anything, and if you slag everyone in your life for their many and varied failings, you're going to miss appreciating the good stuff they bring to the table" Page 93
adventurous
dark
funny
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
Such a fun read. A great exploration of the ship of theseous, and explorations of what it means to be immortal. I came to the book after seeing the movie and while they are different I think the film did a good job keeping the spirit of the book. I like the books ending more.
Really fun and easy to read, ngl I think the movie was a bit more exciting to the book though. I also thought the ending was pretty mild.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No