Scan barcode
catberks's review
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
trilliumgrl's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I enjoyed the setting and the characters. The setting clearly has much more complexity than can be covered in a novella. This is one of the more creative pastiches of Sherlock Holmes that I have seen.
denaiir's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting story, I liked the world-building but the mystery was a bit confusing sometimes. I think I will try other books in the same universe.
skylar2's review against another edition
5.0
The author created a very compelling world, and incredibly human characters (even the ones that had no body). I hope she writes more in this universe.
tetiana's review
5.0
I went absolutely feral reading this. The setting alone was almost enough to sent me into a fit of uncontrollable salivating, but put on top of it a Sherlock Holmes riff with a female consulting detective and a Watson, who’s actually a sentient space-ship (also female, mind you)? I am THERE.
Absolute gem of a novella, with lush prose, and so much care and humanity packet into its compact form. Phenomenal. I read a couple of de Bodard’s things earlier and really enjoyed them, but this one felt like a shot of pure ecstasy. Now excuse me, while go and read everything in the Xuya universe I can get my hands on.
Absolute gem of a novella, with lush prose, and so much care and humanity packet into its compact form. Phenomenal. I read a couple of de Bodard’s things earlier and really enjoyed them, but this one felt like a shot of pure ecstasy. Now excuse me, while go and read everything in the Xuya universe I can get my hands on.
booksletusescape's review
adventurous
fast-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? Yes
4.0
elliotvanz's review against another edition
3.0
This is one of those novellas that feels like it should either be condensed into a short story or expanded into a novel. For me it fails to fully complete a full and satisfying story arc. What it does do is give me a sense of de Bodard's writing and the Xuya universe, which is honestly What I wanted most out of picking it up. I'm intrigued by the world building, especially the way space travel works. It was an interesting little morsel even if it left me on the hungry side.
sepptb's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
5.0
jedbird's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A shipmind traumatized by deep space ekes out a living blending "teas" to help humans cope in deep space. A detective in search of a corpse comes to her for a blend and a trip into that deep space.
It was a perfectly adequate introduction to this author's sci-fi world. The characters grate on each other and aren't the most likeable, but I'd be willing to try another in this series.
It was a perfectly adequate introduction to this author's sci-fi world. The characters grate on each other and aren't the most likeable, but I'd be willing to try another in this series.