Scan barcode
weeses's review against another edition
4.0
polyamory of convenience space opera? WORK. curious to see if itll develop into a full triangle but im not mad at the currant trajectory. the science magic is really fun and has an almost dizzying feeling when its in full swing. fun times!
freya_amber's review against another edition
4.0
I liked the poly rep in this. The story isn't anything special, but was still enjoyable.
Referring to main characters as their job title throughout the book was confusing as usually authors use that to refer to an unnamed character also in the scene. It was like reading a fanfiction.
Referring to main characters as their job title throughout the book was confusing as usually authors use that to refer to an unnamed character also in the scene. It was like reading a fanfiction.
mar's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
really fun and pulpy! i tend to find science fantasy exasperating in its lack of rules, but this book does a great job establishing the alchemy/magic system and the way it functions as technology.
also, i initially picked up this book because i saw it described as a "polyamorous alchemical space-opera," so i'm excited to see how the f/m/m marriage-of-convenience turned platonic-with-hints-of-romance friendship of this book develops in the next 2 books :)
also, i initially picked up this book because i saw it described as a "polyamorous alchemical space-opera," so i'm excited to see how the f/m/m marriage-of-convenience turned platonic-with-hints-of-romance friendship of this book develops in the next 2 books :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Death, Murder, and Gun violence
carriethis's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book. See my review over at Luna Station Quarterly
rachelhelps's review against another edition
3.0
I haven't read much sci-fye in a while. Adam remembered this book fondly (it is out of print), so I dug up a copy on Amazon (actually it wasn't that hard). So... the plot wasn't that interesting, but the world itself, and especially the flying mechanism, were. Flying works by tuning a ship's keel to the song of heaven. Ships then enter purgatory, which is closer to heaven, where the navigator can "steer" the ship using memorized signs/symbols. Something like that... anyway, that part was cool.
Sidenote: Melissa Scott is a bit of a feminist, which is easy to pick up on here, but it's not completely annoying.
Sidenote: Melissa Scott is a bit of a feminist, which is easy to pick up on here, but it's not completely annoying.
kwebster's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
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
4.5
This was a fun and interesting read! I found the science is magic elements cool, and the world building was pleasantly executed. However, I did find myself occasionally lost in the world as places or practices were mentioned and I was unclear if that was information I'd already heard and should know, or if it was meant to expand the world anew.
I'm not a fan of the chosen one trope, which didn't feature too heavily in this book, however it seems to be handled decently and hopefully won't end up being an example of gender esentialism.
I will admit, I don't understand the twelfths system. Everytime they took off I was like "This is it! I'm totally gonna get it this time!" And then I'd realize I still didn't. 7/12 is fast maybe?
I'm not a fan of the chosen one trope, which didn't feature too heavily in this book, however it seems to be handled decently and hopefully won't end up being an example of gender esentialism.
I will admit, I don't understand the twelfths system. Everytime they took off I was like "This is it! I'm totally gonna get it this time!" And then I'd realize I still didn't. 7/12 is fast maybe?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Minor: Slavery and Child abuse
reasie's review against another edition
4.0
My favorite part was how the people in the story relate to their technology metaphorically as magic, but you can totes tell it's science.
My least favorite part (and that almost cost the review a star) was how it started to feel like... magic.
I want to read a sequel and I want it to categorically state that you aren't 'born' a magus in this world, you study to become one, and the study involves physics.
Still, it's a "lost colonies" world and I love those, and I love "geas" whenever it gets used, I don't even care if it's an overused trope, this time they do it nice and complicatedly. The book had a feeling of medievalism about it with FTL drives and a lost Earth and star maps and a woman with two husbands, so I'm giving it four stars.
My least favorite part (and that almost cost the review a star) was how it started to feel like... magic.
I want to read a sequel and I want it to categorically state that you aren't 'born' a magus in this world, you study to become one, and the study involves physics.
Still, it's a "lost colonies" world and I love those, and I love "geas" whenever it gets used, I don't even care if it's an overused trope, this time they do it nice and complicatedly. The book had a feeling of medievalism about it with FTL drives and a lost Earth and star maps and a woman with two husbands, so I'm giving it four stars.
wunder's review against another edition
4.0
Jo Walton called this "polyamorous alchemical space opera", and she nailed it, though the three-way love story isn't even part of the story, just a casual plot element.
I really love space opera that just flows, and this nails it. Never even a paragraph of plodding exposition or clumsy "As you know, Captain..." monologue. I'm never a fan of worldbuilding without story, so this world gets a doube thumbs up because it is creative and essential to the story. Spaceships travel faster than light through purgatory using the music of the spheres. Ah, you've heard that one before, I'm sure.
Plotwise, there is a slow start where plot possibilities open up, but not happen, are not even foreshadowed, then things start happening, including the Hegemon's elite space marines. Dig it. I could do with more characterization on the rest of the cast, but Silence Leigh is wonderful. No superwoman, just a woman in a man's job (space pilot) marooned in a society where women have no rights. She is no superwoman, just a person.
And the best part? There are two more books.
This isn't in print, but you can find used copies or borrow mine.
I really love space opera that just flows, and this nails it. Never even a paragraph of plodding exposition or clumsy "As you know, Captain..." monologue. I'm never a fan of worldbuilding without story, so this world gets a doube thumbs up because it is creative and essential to the story. Spaceships travel faster than light through purgatory using the music of the spheres. Ah, you've heard that one before, I'm sure.
Plotwise, there is a slow start where plot possibilities open up, but not happen, are not even foreshadowed, then things start happening, including the Hegemon's elite space marines. Dig it. I could do with more characterization on the rest of the cast, but Silence Leigh is wonderful. No superwoman, just a woman in a man's job (space pilot) marooned in a society where women have no rights. She is no superwoman, just a person.
And the best part? There are two more books.
This isn't in print, but you can find used copies or borrow mine.
kaa's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting and enjoyable science fantasy. I find Melissa Scott's writing style, characters, and world-building compelling, and I love the role of music in the magical technology of this universe. The very unusual method spaceflight reminds me a little of the [b:Ninefox Gambit|26118426|Ninefox Gambit (The Machineries of Empire #1)|Yoon Ha Lee|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1446557461s/26118426.jpg|46065520] series, in that the authors pretty much throw out most of our current science and take a highly creative and colorful approach to the subject instead, which I heartily approve of. The ships in the story run basically on alchemy and music, and it's awesome.
Much of the universe this story takes in is very hostile and oppressive to women, but none of the three central characters need to be convinced that this is wrong, which I appreciated. There are several interesting female characters, including the heroine, Silence. Although she moves from a marriage of convenience to affection for her two husbands by the end of the book, this story is not particularly a romance. I do hope all three of these characters and their relationship get more development in the next two books.
Much of the universe this story takes in is very hostile and oppressive to women, but none of the three central characters need to be convinced that this is wrong, which I appreciated. There are several interesting female characters, including the heroine, Silence. Although she moves from a marriage of convenience to affection for her two husbands by the end of the book, this story is not particularly a romance. I do hope all three of these characters and their relationship get more development in the next two books.