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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
I don't even think I have the words to describe how amazing this book is. For now, let's just settle for a five star review while I get my brain back in order!
I didn't give this book 1 star, though I was tempted to, because it is coherent and I didn't give up half-way through, tempted as I was.
I originally wrote out a long multi-paragraph review, but I'd rather condense it into bullet point format. I wish the author did the same with this book.
-Every character, other than the major plot twists, are two dimensional. For example, I know nothing about Ezekiel, except for the fact that he is pretty and his main story line. Does he have emotions, other than those required by his role as romantic interest?
-All of the plot, in it's entirety, is either invokes extreme emotions in the characters or humor. There is no in-between.
-Not all, but approximately 75% of all major plot points were predictable.
-The vast majority of dialogues are generic idioms and phrases, and author attempts to make up for this by introducing unique slang. The slang, however, feels forced and cringe-inducing.
-The violent moments with rockets and explosions seem to glance off the plot armor of all MCs, unless it makes a useful plot device.
-The main character is 1) extremely intelligent, 2) (un)naturally gifted fighter, 3) an engineering whiz, 4) a crack shot with a rifle, 5) extremely sociable so that humans and robots either fall in love with her or will die to protect her. A flaw or two would be nice. It was nice to see she wasn't gifted with some strange mutation (which was a cool fantasy element, by the way), but then she is also a freakin' lifelike at the end.
-The numbers in the title are unnecessary and irritating. Ok, this is a pet peeve and unimportant, but still.
-The ethics explored in the book, regarding slavery, bondage etc., are poorly explored and barely touched upon. In fact, the main characters are rather evil, but so are the villains in the story in a way due to the blood on their hands, but honestly I think the "villains" are more ethical than the MCs.
-I listened to the audiobook. The narrator is so slow and cartoonish which only increased my distaste for the story.
-Finally, I just didn't care about any of the characters. They have no depth. I just didn't care, and found myself frequently page-counting to see how long till this was over with. I don't understand the high rating this book has, because even if it's aimed at younger readers than myself, it has no depth to it. Most disappointed.
I originally wrote out a long multi-paragraph review, but I'd rather condense it into bullet point format. I wish the author did the same with this book.
-Every character, other than the major plot twists, are two dimensional. For example, I know nothing about Ezekiel, except for the fact that he is pretty and his main story line. Does he have emotions, other than those required by his role as romantic interest?
-All of the plot, in it's entirety, is either invokes extreme emotions in the characters or humor. There is no in-between.
-Not all, but approximately 75% of all major plot points were predictable.
-The vast majority of dialogues are generic idioms and phrases, and author attempts to make up for this by introducing unique slang. The slang, however, feels forced and cringe-inducing.
-The violent moments with rockets and explosions seem to glance off the plot armor of all MCs, unless it makes a useful plot device.
-The main character is 1) extremely intelligent, 2) (un)naturally gifted fighter, 3) an engineering whiz, 4) a crack shot with a rifle, 5) extremely sociable so that humans and robots either fall in love with her or will die to protect her. A flaw or two would be nice. It was nice to see she wasn't gifted with some strange mutation (which was a cool fantasy element, by the way), but then she is also a freakin' lifelike at the end.
-The numbers in the title are unnecessary and irritating. Ok, this is a pet peeve and unimportant, but still.
-The ethics explored in the book, regarding slavery, bondage etc., are poorly explored and barely touched upon. In fact, the main characters are rather evil, but so are the villains in the story in a way due to the blood on their hands, but honestly I think the "villains" are more ethical than the MCs.
-I listened to the audiobook. The narrator is so slow and cartoonish which only increased my distaste for the story.
-Finally, I just didn't care about any of the characters. They have no depth. I just didn't care, and found myself frequently page-counting to see how long till this was over with. I don't understand the high rating this book has, because even if it's aimed at younger readers than myself, it has no depth to it. Most disappointed.
adventurous
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
2.5 Stars
Unpopular opinion here, but I just couldn’t get into this one. I can’t pinpoint why exactly I found it boring, there was plenty of action, romance, and science-fiction goodness, but every time I’m put it down I struggled to pick it back up.
I’ve loved Kristoff’s co-authored series, The Illuminae Files, so I’m disappointed I didn’t enjoy this one more. He definitely has a distinct and unique writing style and I think if you’ve read any of his other books you’ll love this one.
Unpopular opinion here, but I just couldn’t get into this one. I can’t pinpoint why exactly I found it boring, there was plenty of action, romance, and science-fiction goodness, but every time I’m put it down I struggled to pick it back up.
I’ve loved Kristoff’s co-authored series, The Illuminae Files, so I’m disappointed I didn’t enjoy this one more. He definitely has a distinct and unique writing style and I think if you’ve read any of his other books you’ll love this one.
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I kind of have mixed feelings about this book. Like it's good but it didn't pull me in like other books of the same author? I don't think I can explain why without spoiling so spoiler warning.
I couldn't bring myself to care about the characters much. They just seemed pretty boring and everything seemed just a little too streamlined in a way? It's only as we got to the end, to the revelation that Anna/Eve is a lifelike that I actually got into it and felt super excited. Like it just twisted every expectation and I loved that. But the ending doesn't make up for the fact that everything before wasn't that exciting so I can't rate this a 5 stars. I think I'll keep reading this because I am curious to see where we'll go but not sure.
I think to summarise, this book is good but felt a bit too much like setting up the whole story and ended just as the story was kind of getting started.
I think to summarise, this book is good but felt a bit too much like setting up the whole story and ended just as the story was kind of getting started.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This took me a while to read but it was going well up until the ending. I know her whole world turned upside down but working with Gabriel? Becoming evil? Way too out of character. This could have been a 5 star book, but the weird and overly complicated slang plus what I already mentioned kept it from greatness in my opinion. I don’t think I’ll be continuing this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Gore, Gaslighting
Minor: Cancer, Confinement, War
I dont think I am the target audience for this book
This deserves way more stars. It was smart, distinctive, had a whole bunch of unpredictable twists, and the pace was blistering.
But it didn't quite work for me, and I'm at a bit of a loss as to why. I didn't connect with the characters, and as intriguing as the unravelling mystery of the past and the forces at play were, I wasn't desperate to get answers and I didn't find myself thinking about the book when the pages were closed.
I am mildly curious to read more from this series. The final note is pretty dark and sets up lots of potential threads for the future, so I would be interested to know what happens next, but not with the same agonising need I felt when reading the Illuminae Files, for example.
But it didn't quite work for me, and I'm at a bit of a loss as to why. I didn't connect with the characters, and as intriguing as the unravelling mystery of the past and the forces at play were, I wasn't desperate to get answers and I didn't find myself thinking about the book when the pages were closed.
I am mildly curious to read more from this series. The final note is pretty dark and sets up lots of potential threads for the future, so I would be interested to know what happens next, but not with the same agonising need I felt when reading the Illuminae Files, for example.