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valpuri's review
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Medical content, Violence, Genocide, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Car accident, Death, Cursing, and Confinement
Minor: Torture and Suicide
stormwise's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
Extraterrestrial life is such a fascinating concept and I love media that explores the possibilities of alien cultures and how we would interact with them. With this in mind, it's no surprise that I enjoyed Ellis' debut novel, an alternate history first-contact tale that examines if it is possible for two alien cultures to truly coexist.
I really enjoyed how the aliens were presented - I liked the main character's awareness of the human tendency to anthropomorphise. I also loved the discussion of linguistics within the text and found the way alien communication was portrayed very interesting.Oh, and there's a scene where a human and an alien play cards together.<\spoiler>
I'll admit that the book took a little while to set itself up and the tone felt a bit "young adult" at the beginning, but once the action started it really picked up steam and I found myself completely absorbed. Overall I thought the writing was excellent and incredibly effective at conveying horror, tension and anxiety in certain scenes.
I'm very excited for the sequel! I'd recommend this to any sci-fi fans who like aliens, government conspiracies, and mid-2000 pop culture references.
I really enjoyed how the aliens were presented - I liked the main character's awareness of the human tendency to anthropomorphise. I also loved the discussion of linguistics within the text and found the way alien communication was portrayed very interesting.
I'll admit that the book took a little while to set itself up and the tone felt a bit "young adult" at the beginning, but once the action started it really picked up steam and I found myself completely absorbed. Overall I thought the writing was excellent and incredibly effective at conveying horror, tension and anxiety in certain scenes.
I'm very excited for the sequel! I'd recommend this to any sci-fi fans who like aliens, government conspiracies, and mid-2000 pop culture references.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, Car accident, Confinement, Death, Gore, Medical content, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Gore, Kidnapping, Stalking, Vomit, and Torture
bencaroline's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Car accident, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, and Xenophobia
Minor: Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexism, Stalking, Suicide, and Torture
paolina's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I found the beginning a little clunky, and was at times put off by this being clearly a set-up for a longer series, but really got into it by the end. Can't wait for the next one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Confinement
Moderate: Death and Violence
Minor: Suicide and Torture
annfernandez's review
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I have some mixed feelings in regards to this novel. My opinion is largely positive, but I can't say I didn't have gripes.
There was only one character I found I really cared about throughout the book, and that was Ampersand. I was not invested in his relationship with Cora in part because I just found their attachment to each other something I couldn't really connect with, and also because I couldn't invest myself in Cora as a main character. I was invested in learning more about him and his culture, and that was it. I couldn't really grasp the dynamics between Cora and all her other family members, especially her aunt, and what I did understand I didn't really resonate with.
I thought the plot only got really intriguing around the last 300 pages of the novel. For the first half it did feel a little sluggish, I was engaged mostly to get answers the book of course presents us with, and didn't appreciate the approach to get said answers until well after the halfway point. After we reach that point though, the plot gets up and runs. Plot twist galore, so many different angles we go into that not only make the conflict so much more multifaceted but also make me excited to see what is to come.
Honestly, this book series has a lot of potential, I'm intrigued enough to see it through but I can't say this will be a new favorite any time soon.
There was only one character I found I really cared about throughout the book, and that was Ampersand. I was not invested in his relationship with Cora in part because I just found their attachment to each other something I couldn't really connect with, and also because I couldn't invest myself in Cora as a main character. I was invested in learning more about him and his culture, and that was it. I couldn't really grasp the dynamics between Cora and all her other family members, especially her aunt, and what I did understand I didn't really resonate with.
I thought the plot only got really intriguing around the last 300 pages of the novel. For the first half it did feel a little sluggish, I was engaged mostly to get answers the book of course presents us with, and didn't appreciate the approach to get said answers until well after the halfway point. After we reach that point though, the plot gets up and runs. Plot twist galore, so many different angles we go into that not only make the conflict so much more multifaceted but also make me excited to see what is to come.
Honestly, this book series has a lot of potential, I'm intrigued enough to see it through but I can't say this will be a new favorite any time soon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Gore
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Torture and Genocide
quandtuniverse's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, and Confinement
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Genocide and Torture
There is a fair amount of discussion on the topic of imperialism, colonialism, and assimilation, at one point naming the western invasion and genocide of north american indigenous peoples as a reason why the aliens are reluctant to communicate with humans.
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