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renogan's review
adventurous
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? Yes
4.0
nyfrea's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-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
4.0
toblerowl's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
emertbyrne's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
ros_lanta's review against another edition
3.75
I discovered after reading Plutoshine that the author is a nuclear scientist with a PhD in planetary geochemistry, and honestly this was not a surprise to me. Plutoshine is hard science fiction, meaning (for anyone who isn't aware) that it features a lot of scientific explanation which is integral to the plot. Generally I was able to follow the explanations - I have definitely picked up a few points of science I didn't understand before reading the book - but there were a couple of places where it lost me.
That said, for hard sci-fi this is a very character centric story. For me the main pull of the novel, which kept me turning the pages, was the growing relationship between terraformer Lucien and Nou, a child who has not spoken since a mysterious traumatic incident. He teaches her sign language, and I felt very emotional reading it.
I do think there were some issues with the writing in this book. When I look back now on the plot, the basic summary of it seems strong, but the execution was at times lacking. This extends to some of the character work - I understood and appreciated what Kissick intended with the character of Edmund, but I think he would have been a stronger character with some writing and editing. This is I believe the author's debut novel, so perhaps he writing will improve in subsequent works.
Overall I enjoyed, but didn't love, this novel - but what I did love was the relationship between Lucien and Nou and I think that will stick with me.
That said, for hard sci-fi this is a very character centric story. For me the main pull of the novel, which kept me turning the pages, was the growing relationship between terraformer Lucien and Nou, a child who has not spoken since a mysterious traumatic incident. He teaches her sign language, and I felt very emotional reading it.
I do think there were some issues with the writing in this book. When I look back now on the plot, the basic summary of it seems strong, but the execution was at times lacking. This extends to some of the character work - I understood and appreciated what Kissick intended with the character of Edmund, but I think he would have been a stronger character with some writing and editing. This is I believe the author's debut novel, so perhaps he writing will improve in subsequent works.
Overall I enjoyed, but didn't love, this novel - but what I did love was the relationship between Lucien and Nou and I think that will stick with me.
sambucuscanadensis's review against another edition
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
3.75
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
It’s been ages since last I read a hard sci-fi novel, a novel where there’s plenty of scientific facts and we are shown what will be in a century of time.
But Plutoshine is more complex than that because it’s also the story of people, of their relationship. It’s the story of the relationship between a scientist, Lucian, and a child, Nou.
And this is not enough because there’s also plenty of mysteries: what happened to Nou and her father, who is trying to sabotage the activities of the group of scientists?
The author did an excellent job in balancing the different aspects of the story and never going in “all hard scientific facts” or “very poignant and emotional charged story”.
All these elements are present but they’re part of a gripping and fascinating plot.
There’s plenty of fascinating features in this book: Pluto, the remote non planet, an alien world dominated by ice; the terraforming and the construction of the mirror; the relationship amongst the characters and the mysteries.
I think that Lucy Kissick can surely write, and I loved how she developed the world building and the characters.
The storytelling is fascinating and kept me turning pages.
I was fascinated by the scientific part: the author knows what they’re talking about and you feel they’re excellent science communicators.
It was a fascinating reading experience, a classic sci-fi upgraded for the contemporary readers.
It’s strongly recommended.
Many thanks to Gollancz, Will O’Mullane, and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
But Plutoshine is more complex than that because it’s also the story of people, of their relationship. It’s the story of the relationship between a scientist, Lucian, and a child, Nou.
And this is not enough because there’s also plenty of mysteries: what happened to Nou and her father, who is trying to sabotage the activities of the group of scientists?
The author did an excellent job in balancing the different aspects of the story and never going in “all hard scientific facts” or “very poignant and emotional charged story”.
All these elements are present but they’re part of a gripping and fascinating plot.
There’s plenty of fascinating features in this book: Pluto, the remote non planet, an alien world dominated by ice; the terraforming and the construction of the mirror; the relationship amongst the characters and the mysteries.
I think that Lucy Kissick can surely write, and I loved how she developed the world building and the characters.
The storytelling is fascinating and kept me turning pages.
I was fascinated by the scientific part: the author knows what they’re talking about and you feel they’re excellent science communicators.
It was a fascinating reading experience, a classic sci-fi upgraded for the contemporary readers.
It’s strongly recommended.
Many thanks to Gollancz, Will O’Mullane, and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
cookewitch's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Liked this one, some really great characters in it.
Also some dicks!
📖🚀📖
Also some dicks!
📖🚀📖