Scan barcode
xentrrix's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
roytoo's review against another edition
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
roytoo's review against another edition
5.0
A well written, interesting story. I look forward to reading more from Eeleen!
emmacatereads's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Liquid Crystal Nightingale defied my expectations, doing something I hadn’t expected: being utterly unique. I am often bothered by the repetitive nature of science fiction, and while some of the tropes were familiar the backdrop of the story was cutting-edge (yes, Geology pun intended).
Most of my difficulties stem from the rapid pace of the world-building and the amount of trust in the author required of the reader early on. The world-building was fantastic but dense, and requires the reader to be comfortable being confused. I can foresee people becoming frustrated with the lack of information presented at the beginning, but things become clear over time. While I was comfortable puzzling things out, I do admit that trying to piece together the world took me out of the story at times. Furthermore, the perspective jumped around to suit the plot and less so to develop character. I felt like I got to know Pleo, Marsh, and Dumorier, but the rest of the perspectives felt hazy, including Saurebaras’, which was a shame because she had a lot to offer when she did control the narrative.
Still, despite my occasional frustration, overall I thought the novel was absolutely singular, and a refreshing breath of fresh air that stood out as compared to much of contemporary science fiction. The world-building was unparalleled, and I was instantly immersed, wanting to know as much as possible about the city and the characters. The meld of geology and political space opera—two things I would have never connected— made for a unique backdrop for the world.
One of my regrets was that the relationships were not developed more thoroughly. While the characters were well rounded and introspective, there was a significant lack of connection between them. While our principal characters brushed up against each they didn’t form meaningful connections, which surprised me. The exception to this was the relationship between Marsh and Setona, which I loved, employer and employee evolving into a kind of friendship and kinship. Also, THE DISPLAY LEOPARD!!!! Absolutely what could be better than that.
Liquid Crystal Nightingale defied my expectations, doing something I hadn’t expected: being utterly unique. I am often bothered by the repetitive nature of science fiction, and while some of the tropes were familiar the backdrop of the story was cutting-edge (yes, Geology pun intended).
Most of my difficulties stem from the rapid pace of the world-building and the amount of trust in the author required of the reader early on. The world-building was fantastic but dense, and requires the reader to be comfortable being confused. I can foresee people becoming frustrated with the lack of information presented at the beginning, but things become clear over time. While I was comfortable puzzling things out, I do admit that trying to piece together the world took me out of the story at times. Furthermore, the perspective jumped around to suit the plot and less so to develop character. I felt like I got to know Pleo, Marsh, and Dumorier, but the rest of the perspectives felt hazy, including Saurebaras’, which was a shame because she had a lot to offer when she did control the narrative.
Still, despite my occasional frustration, overall I thought the novel was absolutely singular, and a refreshing breath of fresh air that stood out as compared to much of contemporary science fiction. The world-building was unparalleled, and I was instantly immersed, wanting to know as much as possible about the city and the characters. The meld of geology and political space opera—two things I would have never connected— made for a unique backdrop for the world.
One of my regrets was that the relationships were not developed more thoroughly. While the characters were well rounded and introspective, there was a significant lack of connection between them. While our principal characters brushed up against each they didn’t form meaningful connections, which surprised me. The exception to this was the relationship between Marsh and Setona, which I loved, employer and employee evolving into a kind of friendship and kinship. Also, THE DISPLAY LEOPARD!!!! Absolutely what could be better than that.
tiggum's review against another edition
I'm half way through chapter five and I have basically no idea what's happening. There's so much made-up fantasy-language and jargon, and so many flashbacks and perspective shifts, that there doesn't seem to be any kind of actual plot or any character one can get invested in. Maybe it comes together later on, but I've got better things to do with my time than find out.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Violence, and Pregnancy
hamja's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
slow-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
2.5
colossal's review against another edition
2.0
In a far future where humanity has largely abandoned our home solar system, humans live in the solar system called the Archer’s Ring on a planet orbiting the star Gachala. On a terraformed planet there are two main cities, the wealthy and first-colonized Cabuchon and the industrial and manufacturing hub of Chatoyance. But humanity is under threat from the malevolent and encroaching Artisans, deeply alien creatures on the edge of the system, and their actions and ongoing threat is having a destabilizing influence on the human settlements.
Pleo Tanzer is the daughter of the only survivor of the most recent Artisan atrocity. She's also semi-voluntarily part of an artificial enhancement project that would eventually leave her classified more as equipment than employee and under pressure from authorities and peers to conform. But the enhancement process has already claimed the life of her twin sister, so she has no intention of finishing the process. Amid her plans to get away from Chatoyance she gets caught up in politics and plots and framed for murder.
There are a vast quantity of ideas going on in this book. I'm reminded strongly of early [a:China Miéville|33918|China Miéville|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1243988363p2/33918.jpg] books. Idea and plot dense, and daring the reader to keep up while dazzling at every turn. Unfortunately, that's not this reader, and I spent most of the book extremely confused as to what was going on. Extremely short chapters (some only a page or so) and viewpoint hopping through several characters, most of whom with opaque motivations, all make for a choppy ride.
The world that the author has built is fascinating and painstakingly detailed, so it's a wonderful place to inhabit, but I could barely follow the plot and didn't get most of the characters at all. Towards the end of the book I was realizing just how much I was not understanding the book and then it ended abruptly, and for me at least, completely unsatisfactorily.
Disappointing.
Pleo Tanzer is the daughter of the only survivor of the most recent Artisan atrocity. She's also semi-voluntarily part of an artificial enhancement project that would eventually leave her classified more as equipment than employee and under pressure from authorities and peers to conform. But the enhancement process has already claimed the life of her twin sister, so she has no intention of finishing the process. Amid her plans to get away from Chatoyance she gets caught up in politics and plots and framed for murder.
There are a vast quantity of ideas going on in this book. I'm reminded strongly of early [a:China Miéville|33918|China Miéville|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1243988363p2/33918.jpg] books. Idea and plot dense, and daring the reader to keep up while dazzling at every turn. Unfortunately, that's not this reader, and I spent most of the book extremely confused as to what was going on. Extremely short chapters (some only a page or so) and viewpoint hopping through several characters, most of whom with opaque motivations, all make for a choppy ride.
The world that the author has built is fascinating and painstakingly detailed, so it's a wonderful place to inhabit, but I could barely follow the plot and didn't get most of the characters at all. Towards the end of the book I was realizing just how much I was not understanding the book and then it ended abruptly, and for me at least, completely unsatisfactorily.
Disappointing.
matth's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.5
Oh my. I didn’t hate the book. I didn’t love it. In mostly puzzled.
Cool world. Many questions. Emotionally cold. Convoluted setup and narrative? On the whole I am not really sure what to feel.
Cool world. Many questions. Emotionally cold. Convoluted setup and narrative? On the whole I am not really sure what to feel.
azrah786's review against another edition
3.5
**I was gifted a copy by Rebellion Publishing in exchange for an honest review**
Liquid Crystal Nightingale takes place in a future space colony that orbits a distant star. The story centres on a young woman whose life is surrounded by tragedy and is much more influenced by the machinations of the government and aristocracy that she lives amongst than she thinks.
It's a space opera/murder mystery mashup however, the latter part is less of the "who dunnit?" type and more of a "wtf is going on and why?!¿" type mystery.
I thoroughly enjoyed it although I will admit that I found myself confused at times, particularly towards the beginning with the time lines as the narrative includes a fair few flashbacks. That being said, I was hooked until the end.
The political intrigue is great, the characters are compelling with their convoluted relationships and backstories - I enjoyed Pleo's and Investigator Dumortier's chapters the most. However, it was the meticulously developed world and the writing when it came to describing the settings which captured my interest the most. A particular passage that I loved was how the overall colony is described to look like a blinking eye from space due to the synchronisation of the daily routines of the various settlements.
If Lee ever decided to revisit this world and its characters I'd definitely be down for it!!
Final Rating - 3.5/5 Stars
Liquid Crystal Nightingale takes place in a future space colony that orbits a distant star. The story centres on a young woman whose life is surrounded by tragedy and is much more influenced by the machinations of the government and aristocracy that she lives amongst than she thinks.
It's a space opera/murder mystery mashup however, the latter part is less of the "who dunnit?" type and more of a "wtf is going on and why?!¿" type mystery.
I thoroughly enjoyed it although I will admit that I found myself confused at times, particularly towards the beginning with the time lines as the narrative includes a fair few flashbacks. That being said, I was hooked until the end.
The political intrigue is great, the characters are compelling with their convoluted relationships and backstories - I enjoyed Pleo's and Investigator Dumortier's chapters the most. However, it was the meticulously developed world and the writing when it came to describing the settings which captured my interest the most. A particular passage that I loved was how the overall colony is described to look like a blinking eye from space due to the synchronisation of the daily routines of the various settlements.
If Lee ever decided to revisit this world and its characters I'd definitely be down for it!!
Final Rating - 3.5/5 Stars
pvn's review against another edition
4.0
This is quite good. Interesting setting and characters. along with some mystery. The story kept me engaged and is written in a nice style. Recommended for space opera fans.
Thanks very much for the review copy!!
Thanks very much for the review copy!!