Reviews

Ninefox Gambit by Yoon Ha Lee

frayed_aegis's review against another edition

challenging dark medium-paced

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

4.5

odin45mp's review against another edition

4.0

This had some fun worldbuilding. This empire is built around a strict adherence to a calendar, and mathematics and formation inform all military operations to the degree where soldiers dropping out of formation can not only cost them their lives but wipe out their entire patrol to a man - and conversely staying in formation can confer a nigh-invincibility on the entire company.

A fortress-planet has gone heretic, and the powers-that-be tap Kel Cheris to bring the fortress in line, or die trying. To accomplish this goal, she submits a dangerous and daring suggestion: that they free the living spirit of their greatest - and most insane - general, imprisoned for eternity due to a massacre committed 400 years ago. Cheris must learn how to deal with the shade as well as the enemy.

This could have used a little more world-building up front to fully cement some of the concepts of the world for me, but it doesn't waste much time before getting started and it barrels right on through to the end. I had a hard time putting it down, and will be picking up the second book in the series this summer.

crybabybea's review against another edition

I can't keep trying to force this book. I'm not sure if it's because this is my first high-level sci-fi/space opera or what, but I was super lost and nothing made sense to me. I couldn't even get into the political intrigue because I was so lost on the different characters, factions, terms, "magic" (?) system... I was genuinely so lost and not enjoying any bit of it so I'm just giving up.

discotrashreads's review against another edition

tense slow-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? It's complicated

4.0

rochellegermano's review against another edition

4.0

This book made no sense to me for the first fifty pages, but if you stick with it, the political intrigue is worth it. The science is never explained, but it’s a fascinating look at power dynamics and human will.

lmz's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark informative mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

tomasthanes's review against another edition

4.0

Wow. Spectacular world building but getting oriented in that world is a challenge. Even now, having finished the book, I'm not sure that I've gotten everything down. Even re-reading the book may not help. Religion and calendrical rot, factions and heretics, hexarchs and heptarchs, moths and servitors, ... So much.

It's worth reading but expect to work at it.

stephxsu's review against another edition

challenging medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

jujicakes's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

krystaldelusion's review against another edition

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

5.0