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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
Got to about two hundred pages.
I wanted to like this so much. The Nevernight Chronicles is one of my absolute favorite series and I sing its praises to anyone who will listen, so of course I want to read more by Kristoff. But I have been forcing myself to read this because it's Kristoff, and I don't want to DNF two books in a row, but I'm forcing myself and I know better than to do that.
Unfortunately, this book is very bland and I've read it before. It's basically Cinder by Marissa Meyer and Heart of Iron by Ashley Poston. It's incredible predictable. I looked up the spoilers to see what the twists were and I had predicted them from the very beginning. Which, for the record, I hate this idea that predicting twists is bad. I hate this trend in movies and TV of making the twist come out of left-field to shock audiences. That's bad. There should be build-up for a twist, and sometimes it's fun to predict a twist! However, this twist is so glaringly obvious and I know it's going to be treated like a big thing.
On top of that, the characters were flat and boring, the romance mediocre, and the story, along with being a bit all over the place from trying to be too many things, was bogged down by flashbacks (this coming from somebody who's favorite part of Daughter of Smoke and Bone was the flashbacks).
Dammit. I'm disappointed.
I wanted to like this so much. The Nevernight Chronicles is one of my absolute favorite series and I sing its praises to anyone who will listen, so of course I want to read more by Kristoff. But I have been forcing myself to read this because it's Kristoff, and I don't want to DNF two books in a row, but I'm forcing myself and I know better than to do that.
Unfortunately, this book is very bland and I've read it before. It's basically Cinder by Marissa Meyer and Heart of Iron by Ashley Poston. It's incredible predictable. I looked up the spoilers to see what the twists were and I had predicted them from the very beginning. Which, for the record, I hate this idea that predicting twists is bad. I hate this trend in movies and TV of making the twist come out of left-field to shock audiences. That's bad. There should be build-up for a twist, and sometimes it's fun to predict a twist! However, this twist is so glaringly obvious and I know it's going to be treated like a big thing.
On top of that, the characters were flat and boring, the romance mediocre, and the story, along with being a bit all over the place from trying to be too many things, was bogged down by flashbacks (this coming from somebody who's favorite part of Daughter of Smoke and Bone was the flashbacks).
Dammit. I'm disappointed.
After sadly finishing but absolutely adoring The Illuminae Files Trilogy, I was craving more from its authors and that was the perfect time to reach for Lifel1k3 by Jay Kristoff. This young adult science fiction novel tells the story of Eve, who discovers an android boy named Ezekiel and goes on the run with the android, her best friend Lemon Fresh, a robotic sidekick, and her dog. Lifel1k3 is such a weird and wonderful book it's hard to describe, but really fun to experience. Kristoff's world is creative and jam-packed with details that make it feel real.
While I loved the world-building, there was a bit too much use of new slang for me. That said, while I don't generally read true science fiction, I'll definitely be making an exception for Kristoff going forward, and I think other readers who are a fan of Marissa Meyer would also enjoy this. I was actually really getting Cinder vibes for the first half of the book, but luckily that changed as it progressed. The only element that fell a bit flat for me was the romance, although that did improve throughout the book. Overall, I'm definitely a Kristoff convert now and plan to pick up some of his earlier works. I really enjoyed reading/listening to Lifel1k3 but one of the very best parts? THAT ENDING; SO GOOD, SO INTENSE. There's a book 2, with no title and no release date, yet, but I already cannot wait to pick it up.
While I loved the world-building, there was a bit too much use of new slang for me. That said, while I don't generally read true science fiction, I'll definitely be making an exception for Kristoff going forward, and I think other readers who are a fan of Marissa Meyer would also enjoy this. I was actually really getting Cinder vibes for the first half of the book, but luckily that changed as it progressed. The only element that fell a bit flat for me was the romance, although that did improve throughout the book. Overall, I'm definitely a Kristoff convert now and plan to pick up some of his earlier works. I really enjoyed reading/listening to Lifel1k3 but one of the very best parts? THAT ENDING; SO GOOD, SO INTENSE. There's a book 2, with no title and no release date, yet, but I already cannot wait to pick it up.
Content Warning: Graphic Violence, Animal Death
Actual Rating 2.5
This is marketed as Romeo and Juliet meets Mad Max, X Men and a little of Blade Runner. A mashup of sci-fi futuristic technology, in a post apocalyptic world featuring super powers led to memorable world building. Unfortunately the character development took a backseat to fitting in elements that never felt cohesive. Eve is a likeable protagonist who is determined to survive on a island exposed to radiation while dealing with traumatic memories from her past. Ezekiel is a lifelike, a robot immune to almost anything, who had little defining personality other then his relationship to Eve. Eve and Ezekiel have a Insta-Love formed bond with starry eyed romance that never felt real.
"Rule Number Three in the Scrap: Carry the biggest stick."
Eve's best friend Lemon Fresh and Cricket were interesting and funny, but only served as two dimensional characters to balance out the violence and conflict in the story. Lemon Fresh who's name I never got used to had little desires or opinions that mattered to the plot or other characters. Cricket is a little bot focused on safety but his suggestions and advice was never listened to. He brought humor and logic to a story that needed more of both. The slang used in the book grated on me and never felt "fizzy" (what characters used to describe something good).
"But you get fancy, Mister Stabby gets dancy, you read me?"
I did enjoy the world building, action and villains, but never felt tied to this world because of the characters. The sci-fi elements were great including a sea creature who is a mix of organic and artificial parts, along with giant fighting robots. But in a world the author wants us to care about human like robots, I never found empathy for the Lifelike robots in the book. While I did finish the book there were too many twists that lead to a unsatisfying conclusion. I am a fan of Jay Kristoff's other books. he just missed the mark by combing awesome elements with little character development.
Recommended for Readers Who
-enjoy action packed post apocalyptic settings
-can tolerate a plot driven novel
-aren't hung up on romance that develops instantly
What a fantastic read and a real twisted ending. Can't wait to read what happens next. The characters were well developed and where quirky, sassy, strong and emotional whether human or mechine that you were happy when they were happy and every other feeling in between. The future post destruction Earth was well construct that you could almost imagine what it would really smell like. I recommend it to all sci-fi fans and anyone who wishes to dip their toe into this genre.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
I found it boring, but neat twist by the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Gun violence
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Not many books satisfy my need for epic fight scenes, badass characters with massive Sass, postapocalyptic, steampunk, god complexes, and murder bots all in one. But damn this book delivered. Jay Kristoff is brutally unapologetic in his writing and pulls no punches.
Layers upon layers of hidden details and miraculous possibilities.
Layers upon layers of hidden details and miraculous possibilities.