Reviews

Catch the Lightning by Catherine Asaro

suzemo's review against another edition

3.0

Part of me wants to say I liked this a lot more than 3 stars, but parts of this book really annoyed the crap out of me.

Asaro brings the awesome-sciencey fun like she always does with the physics and explanations of physics terms and ideas that I am not terribly knowledgeable in. Her ability to bring complex physics theories and ideas into her books are why I like this series so much.

She didn't have as much political intrigue in this book, which is something else I really enjoy about the Skolian Saga books, but it makes sense that some of the interplay between people/societies wasn't as well developed.

Althor is probably my second least favorite character so far - he is written entirely too inconsistently.

The romance part of the story fell incredibly flat and occasionally creepy (graphic sex between a 17 year old and an almost 50 year old? No thanks). It even got downright annoying, which is why this one doesn't get 4 stars for me. Also, I know the series features a slaver-race/society, but the rapeyness in this book really could be toned down.

It was alright - I did like the later parts of the book a whole lot, and it definitely wasn't as bad as Diamond Star.

eososray's review against another edition

3.0

The more Skolian Empire books I read the more it's all starting to make sense!! What an awesome universe.

kellylynnthomas's review against another edition

3.0

I think the world Catherine Asaro has created is interesting--a "cyber web" powered by telepaths--but the storytelling can get a bit clunky and is a bit too heavy on the romance for my personal tastes. The science tends to come in giant chunks, which breaks up the story flow, even though it's interesting. All in all, though, a fascinating book.

Trigger warning, though: semi-gratuitous/detailed rape scenes.

furicle's review against another edition

3.0

Sci-fi romance. Off the top of my head, it's the only attempt I've heard of to make the Mayan culture relevant in a star spanning civilization. Not bad, just not me. If it's your thing, you'll likely like it a lot. I checked out a couple of reviews before I wrote this one, it's interesting that this one does seem to skew along gender lines in my limited checking.

shoelessgirl's review against another edition

2.0

I love the grandiose space history and the science fiction aspects, but the romance is so. freaking. problematic that I nearly rage quit several times too. I think I'd have liked Tina if she'd been paired with someone closer to her age/life experience, but I spent most of the time cringing. My fav interactions in the whole book were her with her best friend and her with the JAG.

julesmcleish's review

adventurous dark emotional tense slow-paced

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

3.75

scribal's review against another edition

1.0

Really horribly written--this was the only one in the series that I actually regret reading. I kept thinking I'd learn something that would shed light on other books.

vailynst's review against another edition

3.0

Notes:

Currently on Audible + (Publication Order)

tome15's review against another edition

3.0

I will continue reading this series of romantic science fiction adventures. Asaro does better when she sticks with coming-of-age story lines. Her adult worlds see a bit squidgy too me. I know. I know. But it was the only PG word I could come up with. Hers is a complicated universe but it doesn't have the political or psychological depth of series like The Expanse or Game of Thrones or any of the several series written by C. J. Cherryh.

lizskeldon's review

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0