Reviews with content warning for Body horror - Axiom's End

Reviews tagging 'Body horror'

Axiom's End by Lindsay Ellis

9 reviews

bi_n_large's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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lira_the_recluse's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.5

Axiom's End seems to be a reasonable answer to the question "what would happen if extraterrestrials were here?" Main character Cora has realistic reactions to meeting aliens, and fears about what a government would do to her and her family.

Aliens are consistent, and well crafted. Story has many twists, turns, and mysteries. Alien tech is powerful, almost seeming like magic, and there are several visceral scenes when humans get in the way, or when aliens are fighting one another.

Overall 4.5, good book, but not one I will likely reread.

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elizabethblue's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-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

4.5

(I listened to this book while in bed with covid 19, so my recollection may not be totally accurate.) Damn, I love some actually alien looking aliens! This book was super interesting.

The growing friendship between between Cora and Ampersand was fascinating to read, and the road trip portion of the first act was very funny. I enjoyed the slow reveal of what was going on with the mysterious group of government kept aliens. As well as the general culture of their species as it was revealed.

Honestly did not expect the surprise partner bonding between Cora and Ampersand. I probably should have seen it coming, knowing the author from her YouTube content, but it was a very welcome surprise!

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tomas_lw's review against another edition

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inspiring mysterious reflective 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? No

4.0

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huckleberryrk's review against another edition

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adventurous 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? It's complicated

4.0

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gwendolynaudrey_reads's review against another edition

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adventurous tense fast-paced

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

4.0

This book is clearly an entry point into a much more complex series. It moves quickly, synthesizes 2000s pop culture and political intrigue, and is inspired by classic adventure stories like "Men in Black" and honestly, even "Beauty and the Beast." The main character is a blank slate type young girl character. She is loveable, and her decisions are logical based on her age and background, but she isn't exactly the most complex of characters (yet). I love the diverse set of characters we are introduced to who promise to be important later (an absent Julian Assange father figure, a complicated CIA agent, an alternative, linguist but jealous "cool aunt," - not to mention ALIENS.) AND I love how Ellis never lets you breath.

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forthesanityof1's review

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adventurous emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This had me hooked from the first chapter all the way to the end. First contact is always interesting but this concept really had me personally invested in reading as much as I could in each sitting. While there are some flaws I'll talk about, it was so enjoyable and refreshing that it deserved 5 stars without a doubt.

I loved the MC, she was relatable without drifting too far away from the narrative. Additionally, there were times where she was so painfully human and reflected an experience I had also personally experienced that I literally had to set my book down and take a breath. I've never seen those parts of me in a book before and I loved how it was handled. Empathy and understanding in the narrative even if characters didn't understand her actions.

The plot was super interesting if a bit messy at some points (most of my gripes are about the plot) and difficult to follow. The actual family dynamics I felt were supposed to have a lot of impact and did at some points but got lost behind the plot-heavy focus. I have a feeling it will come up in the rest of the series and I'm interested to see how it plays out.

The actual aliens themselves were so freaking cool. I loved the development of them and how we learned their world along with the MC. They were unique and stood out among the few other alien based stories I've read. None can touch this one. I also adored seeing how both the MC and the alien got along with each other and how that relationship evolved into something so intriguing. The soft moments really got to me and I'm borderline desperate for the next book.

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avadore's review

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adventurous mysterious tense 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? No

3.75

I want to be mad that this is secretly a transformers romance novel but I am charmed by it.

I haven't read a lot (or perhaps any?) first contact literature and was really interested to find out that it is a thing. Will always be extremely disappointed by how aliens are gendered in cis-centric human ways by these kinds of texts but otherwise this is a really fun adventure and I am pretty interested in what happens in the rest of the series!

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stormwise's review

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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.

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