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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
mysterious
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
penalizing this book for the fact that I did not gaf about literally any character or plot point
not even sure why I finished it tbh. I think if you enjoy whodunnits, you might like this? but there are likely better stories you could read instead.
penalties also for:
not even sure why I finished it tbh. I think if you enjoy whodunnits, you might like this? but there are likely better stories you could read instead.
penalties also for:
- excessive millenialisms e.g. “all the things”
- much time spent on #woke #gender stuff for zero novel or thought provoking takes
- the dogged use of the word spouse and “mx” but it literally didn’t even do anything interesting
- the entire mi husband conversation despite the aforementioned time spent on #woke
- the term “joyfriend” ❌
- rich entitled protagonist with trauma …… her man even asked her to tone down the privilege and she just … didn’t. daddy’s money can buy a lot of things but not my give a damn
- there were just zero meaningful interpersonal moments in this book
- the cocktails as a starter for each chapter ……. and the cocktails in the book…….. I just couldn’t get behind it it came off the same way as this one guy’s linkedin bio which listed ‘mixologist’ before his actual job title
- the lawyer’s whack ass made up insults — that got so old so fast. I did not even imagine cracking a smile they were dead unfunny. “mammering lobster” is not cute. i think I saw red at that point.
- just ….. everything
yeah actually im further deducting points ….. man.
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
4.5 - delightful, unexpected (never saw that ending coming), and full of some of the most wonderful rep and drink recipes. FRTK
adventurous
challenging
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:
No
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
This was a really enjoyable book! The main character has chronic pain and PTSD and uses a cane and service dog, and I thought all of these were handled beautifully, and were integral to the plot and character. I also really enjoyed the science fiction. It's accessible, easy for anyone to understand without complex terms and concepts, but it's also critical to the plot. Essentially, I loved that this book was clearly not written as a basic murder mystery with some space stuff and a disabled MC slapped on afterwards.
I also loved that the book fully committed to a kind of hopepunk, post-gender-binary future. Very diverse characters and again, this feels well integrated.
It was a really entertaining read, with a "golden age of Hollywood but make it future" kind of vibe. The main characters are rich and spend their time in the luxurious resort drinking expensive cocktails when they're not pursuing suspects. That said, my biggest complaint was the privilege. Tesla has an unfathomable amount of money and can basically get anything she wants at any time, frequently using this to get herself out of undesirable situations. Sure, it's a nice escapist fantasy, but it was a little obnoxious at times.
Overall I really enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it!
I also loved that the book fully committed to a kind of hopepunk, post-gender-binary future. Very diverse characters and again, this feels well integrated.
It was a really entertaining read, with a "golden age of Hollywood but make it future" kind of vibe. The main characters are rich and spend their time in the luxurious resort drinking expensive cocktails when they're not pursuing suspects. That said, my biggest complaint was the privilege. Tesla has an unfathomable amount of money and can basically get anything she wants at any time, frequently using this to get herself out of undesirable situations. Sure, it's a nice escapist fantasy, but it was a little obnoxious at times.
Overall I really enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Murder
Minor: Suicide, Suicide attempt
OK, this confirms it. I love Mary Robinette Kowal books. This one is a cool standalone (for now?), a classic murder mystery with great characters and an amazing use of language around the themes of gender and disability. I learnt a lot, as a writer, and wish my own language allowed me to write more like this...
The only issue I have with this book is that it is NOT a Lady Astronaut book. But it was super fun and engaging, so I guess thats fine.
The only issue I have with this book is that it is NOT a Lady Astronaut book. But it was super fun and engaging, so I guess thats fine.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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:
Yes