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sundragonheartt's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
rara2018's review
4.0
I could spend years in the Nicole Kornher-Stace fictional universe. I first read her books a few summers ago when I read Firebreak after seeing it recommended by Amanda (and reading this today has me just itching to go and reread it). The way the characters here are written is deceptively simple with them all effectively having very singular motives while still remaining to be full of human (and AI) complexities. The story itself was ridiculously quick to get through, but despite its brevity, I found myself moved by the characters I’ve been getting to know over a handful of books. Now I need to read her middle grade novel since the probe here was a tremendously endearing character. 22 and 06 are such a compelling duo (and this universe an all too familiar one) that I could read books and books about for the rest of time.
jerseygrrrl's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
darwin's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
detailsandtales's review
4.0
This is a novella written in the Firebreak universe, and I think it's meant to be a prequel. I wish I remembered Firebreak clearly enough to know exactly how it slots into the broader story, but regardless, it holds up well on its own as the story of two adolescents who escape an abusive environment and try to make it on their own. They effectively have superpowers, but they also don't always have a good sense of how the world works. Meanwhile, the director of the program they're part of is trying to get them back. It's such a sweet story, and I cared about both kids. This story definitely kept me reading.
chirson's review
3.0
Read courtesy of NetGalley.
I think this novella is probably rather wonderful if you've read Kornher-Stace's earlier books, particularly Firebreak, for which it serves as a prequel, or perhaps companion story. Unfortunately, this was my first time reading this author, and thus, it was rather obvious that much of the emotional weight was missing, and my entire review comes down to two things - if you already know and like Firebreak, you'll probably enjoy this, and if you're looking for the first book by Kornher-Stace to check out, this isn't the one.
On its own: the plot is relatively non-dynamic (and would seem even more so if you tried to summarise it), yet the author manages to create an atmosphere and do a lot of introspective character work - still, I felt like the stakes would appear immediately more fraught, and the characters elicit more emotions from me if I knew what I'm meant to know. The worldbuilding is interestingly dystopian. I thought the style was good, but I must admit the voice did not make me that curious to pick up the original novel - I might check it out of a library, if it was available, but felt no urgency, particularly given that the element I liked best - the nanobots - apparently are not from that novel but another story altogether.
I think this novella is probably rather wonderful if you've read Kornher-Stace's earlier books, particularly Firebreak, for which it serves as a prequel, or perhaps companion story. Unfortunately, this was my first time reading this author, and thus, it was rather obvious that much of the emotional weight was missing, and my entire review comes down to two things - if you already know and like Firebreak, you'll probably enjoy this, and if you're looking for the first book by Kornher-Stace to check out, this isn't the one.
On its own: the plot is relatively non-dynamic (and would seem even more so if you tried to summarise it), yet the author manages to create an atmosphere and do a lot of introspective character work - still, I felt like the stakes would appear immediately more fraught, and the characters elicit more emotions from me if I knew what I'm meant to know. The worldbuilding is interestingly dystopian. I thought the style was good, but I must admit the voice did not make me that curious to pick up the original novel - I might check it out of a library, if it was available, but felt no urgency, particularly given that the element I liked best - the nanobots - apparently are not from that novel but another story altogether.
mweis's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
*I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
Firebreak was one of my favorite books of 2021 so when I found out Nicole Kornher-Stace was writing a prequel novella following 6 and 22 I knew I had to read it, and I was not disappointed. This is a small novella detailing the time 6 and 22 ran away and I really enjoyed reading it. I am not typically a fan of dystopian books, but I love the world that Kornher-Stace has built here, and I absolutely adore the friendship between 6 and 22.
This book is marketed as a standalone, and I think it works well without having read Firebreak. I have read it, but my memories of specific details are hazy and I had no problem following along with the story here. Though there are small references to future events, specifically in how the Director thinks about the children, I don’t think it spoils Firebreak or hinders the enjoyment of Flight & Anchor. There is also an author’s note that explains connections in this novella to Kornher-Stace’s other books as well.
Firebreak was one of my favorite books of 2021 so when I found out Nicole Kornher-Stace was writing a prequel novella following 6 and 22 I knew I had to read it, and I was not disappointed. This is a small novella detailing the time 6 and 22 ran away and I really enjoyed reading it. I am not typically a fan of dystopian books, but I love the world that Kornher-Stace has built here, and I absolutely adore the friendship between 6 and 22.
This book is marketed as a standalone, and I think it works well without having read Firebreak. I have read it, but my memories of specific details are hazy and I had no problem following along with the story here. Though there are small references to future events, specifically in how the Director thinks about the children, I don’t think it spoils Firebreak or hinders the enjoyment of Flight & Anchor. There is also an author’s note that explains connections in this novella to Kornher-Stace’s other books as well.
emmagee's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
otterykhaleesi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
ninegladiolus's review
challenging
dark
reflective
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
4.25
As soon as I heard of a novella exploring the backstory of a beloved character from Kornher-Stace’s novel Firebreak, I was immediately in. Flight & Anchor did not disappoint; though novella length, it packs both a powerful emotional punch and beautifully, painfully unveils the story behind the motivations of particular characters.
06 and 22’s origin was heartbreaking and moving, which is a testament to the author’s skill. Kornher-Stace is one of the best authors I can think of at writing deeply meaningful, rich platonic relationships. For that alone I will continue to pick up whatever she writes, because Flight & Anchor continues that tradition. Add on great worldbuilding and the impressive ability to weave hope through the entrenched hopelessness of dystopian settings and I am sold as a fan.
Flight & Anchor solidified my desire to go back through the backlist of other titles by Kornher-Stace and start reading them all, since they are all apparently connected and I want to spend as much time in this universe as I can. If you want a short, powerful story of difficult choices made with love in a desperate world, Flight & Anchor is a worthy pickup.
Thank you to Tachyon and Edelweiss for an advance review copy. All opinions are my own.
06 and 22’s origin was heartbreaking and moving, which is a testament to the author’s skill. Kornher-Stace is one of the best authors I can think of at writing deeply meaningful, rich platonic relationships. For that alone I will continue to pick up whatever she writes, because Flight & Anchor continues that tradition. Add on great worldbuilding and the impressive ability to weave hope through the entrenched hopelessness of dystopian settings and I am sold as a fan.
Flight & Anchor solidified my desire to go back through the backlist of other titles by Kornher-Stace and start reading them all, since they are all apparently connected and I want to spend as much time in this universe as I can. If you want a short, powerful story of difficult choices made with love in a desperate world, Flight & Anchor is a worthy pickup.
Thank you to Tachyon and Edelweiss for an advance review copy. All opinions are my own.