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I'm glad I decided to listen to the audiobook for this one because it is STUNNING. The narration is solid, but it's the ambience that really captures me. In the background, you can hear echoes of spaceship doors closing, people chatting, and music playing. The title cards are read with a strange sound effect that resembles a cosmic aura. There is no silence and I LOVE that. The characters seem more alive and the world more full.
Sadly, the story didn't match the outstanding production. The first half of this book is tense and disturbing. You feel decidedly uncomfortable the whole time the MC is on her family's ship because there are some WEIRD and UGLY things going on there. Though the author includes a disclaimer about calorie counting, there is much more upsetting or triggering material: child abuse, bullying, forced insemination, human trafficking, etc. This little book packs a lot of punch with its heavy material, but not always does it seem well explored or necessary.
The writing reads more like a summary and too often there were large sections of info-dumping that detracted from the excitement of the lore and setting.
Even though I liked the main character, I wasn't attached. The twins were also likable but not memorable. The second half of the book slows way down and the narrative loses focus. Nothing really happens and if only the tone of the first half of the book were carried through to the end, this book would have been much more impressive.
Sadly, the story didn't match the outstanding production. The first half of this book is tense and disturbing. You feel decidedly uncomfortable the whole time the MC is on her family's ship because there are some WEIRD and UGLY things going on there. Though the author includes a disclaimer about calorie counting, there is much more upsetting or triggering material: child abuse, bullying, forced insemination, human trafficking, etc. This little book packs a lot of punch with its heavy material, but not always does it seem well explored or necessary.
The writing reads more like a summary and too often there were large sections of info-dumping that detracted from the excitement of the lore and setting.
Even though I liked the main character, I wasn't attached. The twins were also likable but not memorable. The second half of the book slows way down and the narrative loses focus. Nothing really happens and if only the tone of the first half of the book were carried through to the end, this book would have been much more impressive.
While these characters and their journeys were so soft and lovely, I also felt some high-concept things were too quickly finished, and there was a tad more of the telling than showing than I typically expect from Johnston. Sweet, but not ultimately my favorite of hers. (However, I think any companion or sequel books will be fire.)
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley and Penguin Teen!
As a soft warning, I read the audiobook, so while I've tried to verify the correct spellings as much as I can, there may be some errors. If you read my review and still want to give this book a try, I would highly recommend the audio! The narrator is very pleasant to listen to and I enjoyed the sound effects. It made the reading experience more immersive than it would have been otherwise.
Aetherbound is a short science fiction novel that follows the early life of Pendt, starting with her very difficult childhood onboard the Harland, a ship that shares her family's last name. In the depths of space, survival is everything, and the usefulness of your abilities dictates your treatment and calorie count. While many of her siblings have an affinity for electronics, what her aunt and captain really need is a child with star sense to pilot the ship, and Pendt is at the bottom of the hierarchy with only the ability to change genes. When she realizes her only future purpose will be as an incubator, she sneaks off the ship and ends up striking a deal with the Brannick twins, heirs of the family that owns the station, controlled by the empire.
Overall, the tone of the book is less adventurous than the summary may lead you to believe. Pendt is the core of the book, and worldbuilding comes and goes as it serves her context and journey. A lot of it was hard to hold onto because of the way information was presented in fits and spurts as it became relevant. I don't fully understand what happened with the Aether and mages, I don't know what oglossa (sp?) is for, and the empire and rebellion have very little weight in the story before the final stretch. I think this book had a lot of potential- I wasn't particularly bothered by the themes of food and forced pregnancy as control, but Pendt seemed very quickly okay with tying herself to the Brannicks that way so soon after meeting them when it was the very thing she was attempting to escape. Her bonds with both Fisher and Ned were quick rushed, and besides her, characters didn't have much time to develop enough for me as a reader to care about things that happened to them. It felt like large sprints of development in plot and character happened at 40% and 80% of the way through, and the rest were boring lulls compared to the sudden spikes in action.
I was also slightly disappointed by some of the vagueness. I had to search externally to figure out Fisher is trans, even as a transmasculine reader myself who is usually combing for any sign of representation. I don't think the subtlety was pulled off, especially since one would imagine it would be something to contend with given the themes of forced birth, human trafficking, and lack of autonomy. I also felt that Pendt's powers as a gene mage were not as well explored as I would have liked, though that's simply a personal opinion.
Despite this book being a bit of a letdown, I think I will still try E.K. Johnston's other titles. I enjoyed the prose and the characters that were built up, but I think this one just wasn't for me. If you're a fan of quieter space settings as opposed to exciting rebellion-focused narratives and tense space opera, this might be more to your taste!
As a soft warning, I read the audiobook, so while I've tried to verify the correct spellings as much as I can, there may be some errors. If you read my review and still want to give this book a try, I would highly recommend the audio! The narrator is very pleasant to listen to and I enjoyed the sound effects. It made the reading experience more immersive than it would have been otherwise.
Aetherbound is a short science fiction novel that follows the early life of Pendt, starting with her very difficult childhood onboard the Harland, a ship that shares her family's last name. In the depths of space, survival is everything, and the usefulness of your abilities dictates your treatment and calorie count. While many of her siblings have an affinity for electronics, what her aunt and captain really need is a child with star sense to pilot the ship, and Pendt is at the bottom of the hierarchy with only the ability to change genes. When she realizes her only future purpose will be as an incubator, she sneaks off the ship and ends up striking a deal with the Brannick twins, heirs of the family that owns the station, controlled by the empire.
Overall, the tone of the book is less adventurous than the summary may lead you to believe. Pendt is the core of the book, and worldbuilding comes and goes as it serves her context and journey. A lot of it was hard to hold onto because of the way information was presented in fits and spurts as it became relevant. I don't fully understand what happened with the Aether and mages, I don't know what oglossa (sp?) is for, and the empire and rebellion have very little weight in the story before the final stretch. I think this book had a lot of potential- I wasn't particularly bothered by the themes of food and forced pregnancy as control, but Pendt seemed very quickly okay with tying herself to the Brannicks that way so soon after meeting them when it was the very thing she was attempting to escape. Her bonds with both Fisher and Ned were quick rushed, and besides her, characters didn't have much time to develop enough for me as a reader to care about things that happened to them. It felt like large sprints of development in plot and character happened at 40% and 80% of the way through, and the rest were boring lulls compared to the sudden spikes in action.
I was also slightly disappointed by some of the vagueness. I had to search externally to figure out Fisher is trans, even as a transmasculine reader myself who is usually combing for any sign of representation. I don't think the subtlety was pulled off, especially since one would imagine it would be something to contend with given the themes of forced birth, human trafficking, and lack of autonomy. I also felt that Pendt's powers as a gene mage were not as well explored as I would have liked, though that's simply a personal opinion.
Despite this book being a bit of a letdown, I think I will still try E.K. Johnston's other titles. I enjoyed the prose and the characters that were built up, but I think this one just wasn't for me. If you're a fan of quieter space settings as opposed to exciting rebellion-focused narratives and tense space opera, this might be more to your taste!
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Moderate: Eating disorder, Medical trauma
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book really took me by surprise. I thought I was just going to have to trudge through to finish it but I really enjoyed the story! It was unlike anything I've read up to this point and, with the slightest bit of non-spicy romance, it was such a cute and fun read. The epilogue really sets up the potential for a sequel, however I have yet to hear about one. Such a fast read for anyone!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Moderate: Slavery, Trafficking, Pregnancy
Minor: Sexual harassment
Swearing, Medical violence present.