Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
adventurous
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I don't read a lot of mysteries - and despite the sci fi trappings this very much is one. Bar a few elements it could have been set on a contemporary cruise ship. That said, I suspect I am always going to be likely to read any particular story shape if you add SFF trappings!
The protagonist is struggling with what appears to be PTSD (including flashbacks) throughout; and severe pain and some mobility impairment - all mitigated to some extent by her service dog. All of these elements were really lovely to see in a protagonist; and contributed to making her extremely likable.
As others have noted, her being ultra-ultra wealthy undoes some of that work. She has a formidable lawyer on speed dial she uses as a battering ram, and is inclined to trample people - particularly if she is in pain or angry (both happen a lot).
That aside, I enjoyed the book. The romance between Tesla and her new husband is thoughtfully drawn - something of a signature of Kowal's; being romantic but fading to black before they get particularly physical.
The protagonist is struggling with what appears to be PTSD (including flashbacks) throughout; and severe pain and some mobility impairment - all mitigated to some extent by her service dog. All of these elements were really lovely to see in a protagonist; and contributed to making her extremely likable.
As others have noted, her being ultra-ultra wealthy undoes some of that work. She has a formidable lawyer on speed dial she uses as a battering ram, and is inclined to trample people - particularly if she is in pain or angry (both happen a lot).
That aside, I enjoyed the book. The romance between Tesla and her new husband is thoughtfully drawn - something of a signature of Kowal's; being romantic but fading to black before they get particularly physical.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Fast-paced and funny, a la screwball comedies of Hollywood's golden age, The Spare Man is a delightful space romp, though with a few flaws. The world building and character creation are stellar; the disability rep and treatment of PTSD are handled with care and realism. I thought it was an interesting choice to create a future with such enlightened gender consciousness while maintaining a very 20th-century class stratification. The pacing lags a bit in the middle, and a deus ex machina to tie up (most of?) the mystery is a little disappointing. But, all in all, it was a ripping good time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Alcohol
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Not invested in the mystery, don’t care for the main character. Mostly very frustrating to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Alcohol
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was better than I thought it would be honestly. It was hovering around a 3 because while I really enjoy the idea of mysteries, I also tend to be kinda bored by their execution. Anytime I read a mystery smashup with either fantasy or scifi, it's inevitably only a matter of time before I get bored.
Thankfully, that didn't happen until much later in the book for me because of the really interesting way Kowal wrote about our MC's disability and her panic attacks and PTSD and the therapy dog, Gimlet. These were all excellent additions to the book and very well received by me and now I understand why a 'simple scifi mystery' is nominated for the Hugo this year.
Very well-deserved shout out for Kowal's fantastic interweaving of an MC with several so-called 'invisible disabilities'.
Recommended for: People who like murder mysteries especially, but also anyone interested in reading the Hugos for this year or anyone interested in a really realistic, well-done disability rep by Kowal.
Thankfully, that didn't happen until much later in the book for me because of the really interesting way Kowal wrote about our MC's disability and her panic attacks and PTSD and the therapy dog, Gimlet. These were all excellent additions to the book and very well received by me and now I understand why a 'simple scifi mystery' is nominated for the Hugo this year.
Very well-deserved shout out for Kowal's fantastic interweaving of an MC with several so-called 'invisible disabilities'.
Recommended for: People who like murder mysteries especially, but also anyone interested in reading the Hugos for this year or anyone interested in a really realistic, well-done disability rep by Kowal.