Reviews

Medusa in the Graveyard: Book Two of the Medusa Cycle by Emily Devenport

lsparrow's review

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2.0

I felt myself even less connected to the story then the previous book. There are a lot of concepts and themes that I appreciate but as a story could not connect to it as a whole

arhgee's review

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5.0

Very good.

applepieandeve's review

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad 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

4.75

kiiouex's review

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3.0

It's been a while since I read the first one, but I remember really enjoying it, especially the intrigue + murder, and strong bond between Oichi and Medusa.

This book... has none of those things.

I got what it was going for at the very end, but that doesn't make up for a fairly dull, linear book. I like Oichi, and I like the setting, but especially by breaking up the relationship with Medusa, the book seems to have lost the strengths of the first one. Instead it's mostly action and conversation, reflecting a lot on the events of the first book but mostly travelling and shifting pieces around rather than achieve much here.

I remember after finishing the first one thinking that I didn't need to read any sequel, but I spotted this at my library and picked it up. So I'll still recommend the first one, but yeah, this installment was not as charming.

hookineye's review

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adventurous mysterious 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

3.0

majkia's review

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4.0

The first book was better but this was still pretty good. And weird.

athnyx230's review

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slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

tessa_talks_books's review

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4.0

Medusa in the Graveyard is a grippingly provocative science fiction novel that is hard to put down. Continuing the story of Oichi Angelis and her partner Medusa, we travel from the generation ship, Olympian, that was the setting for Medusa Uploaded, and visit other worlds that provide a diverse and mysterious backdrop for the dramatic story.

What I liked:

The use of elements commonly found in Greek plays adds classical and mythical undertones to the story. From the use of a chorus and music, the many references to Gods and Goddesses, and the ongoing theme of the sin of hubris, all these Greek play references work together to create this undertone and implies to the reader that they are reading a story of great importance. This device is rarely found in stories today, and I appreciated the throwback to plays of long ago.

Oichi Angeles and Ashur are a good team, a yin and yang type pairing. Oichi is a fighter. She was created to be an Insurgent. Ashur is young, but he is more of an inventor and diplomat. Together, they make the perfect team, each one providing something that the other one lacks. As a reader, you can’t help but root for them as they follow their heroic journey to awaken the Three.

The minis add a touch of whimsy and fun. They are pets that can talk and interact in ways that pets as we know they cannot. They are a much-needed break that keeps the story from becoming too dark or heavy.

What I wish:

The villains were developed more fully. The characters discuss the villains, but they are rarely featured in a scene, so the reader doesn’t have a complete picture of what the Olympians are fighting against and for. It is hard to be emotionally involved without that understanding for what you, the reader, are routing.

Baba Yaga had played a more significant role. The Baba Yaga character was so witty and wise, yet also interjects humor into the story. I wanted to see more of her and would love to know her story.

The character descriptions had been more detailed. I had a hard time visualizing what the characters looked like because descriptions of them were so sparse. This lack of description causes a bit of detachment from the story when the reader needs to be immersed in suspending disbelief.

To Read or Not to Read:

This novel is a wonderful example of an accessible science fiction novel but be prepared to put your thinking cap on.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest reciewu .

ravenlily's review

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adventurous dark mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

colossal's review

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4.0

The continuation of Oichi and Medusa's story from [b:Medusa Uploaded|36245705|Medusa Uploaded (The Medusa Cycle, #1)|Emily Devenport|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1505497048l/36245705._SY75_.jpg|57890959] sees the Olympia interacting with the larger universe, including the creators of the ship and everyone on it, the Weapons Clan, and the people of the ship's destination, the planet Graveyard in the Charon system. At the Graveyard awaits the sleeping Three, ancient machines of incredible power that have reached out to Oichi already.

Like the first book, the overall tone is relatively light, although Oichi is still very much a creature of her past and she struggles with her more violent inclinations. There's a lot more focus on her friends in this book including Oichi's protege, Ashur and the bio-mechanical Mini creatures. There's also a lot of questioning of roles, <>Olympia's in the wide galaxy and Oichi's role with her people and Medusa.

Very much the second novel of a trilogy. Recovery from the events of the first while setting the stage for a conclusive third book. For what it is, it's entertaining and goes to some interesting places, particularly with the expedition to the Graveyard.