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mar's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I... have very mixed feelings about this book, because the premise was really promising, and I think it covers some really fascinating concepts and themes, but the execution of it is... hm. well! Not Great, imo. Like, I don't think I would've finished it if it weren't an ARC from Netgalley - and I AM glad I did, bc I think the ending of the novel is actually really solid and narratively satisfying, concluding the character arcs quite well (though it could've been build up to more in Lal's case, honestly). Still, that doesn't make up for how I spent the majority of the book alternating between bored and frustrated.
The idea of a transition point between current society and a world where most jobs are done by auts and the societal&economic tensions that would arise in such a transition? SUPER fascinating in theory. As is the potential introduction of conscious AIs. But the book never really delved into those as much as I wished except maybe at the very end, and I was rly disappointed how little auts actually featured in the story. Seriously, for the majority of the novel all the interesting stuff just got sidelined for the sake of things like irrelevant romantic drama I could NOT bring myself to care about. Especially since none of the characters are particularly likeable, which, considering this is a primarily character-driven book, is Not Ideal. And they weren't even unlikeable in an interesting way, they just felt... kinda flat and boring and passive.
(Also, I kept waiting for the fact that Lalessentially got all her ex-coworkers and friends fired (and then had the audacity to have sex with one of them? and proceed to ghost him???) to come up, but it somehow... never... did? like. i am genuinely baffled there was never any sort of repercussions for that, no narrative follow-up?? NOTHING? bruh. okay.)
So. Yeah. Unfortunately this book did not live up to my expectations 😔
(Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC)
The idea of a transition point between current society and a world where most jobs are done by auts and the societal&economic tensions that would arise in such a transition? SUPER fascinating in theory. As is the potential introduction of conscious AIs. But the book never really delved into those as much as I wished except maybe at the very end, and I was rly disappointed how little auts actually featured in the story. Seriously, for the majority of the novel all the interesting stuff just got sidelined for the sake of things like irrelevant romantic drama I could NOT bring myself to care about. Especially since none of the characters are particularly likeable, which, considering this is a primarily character-driven book, is Not Ideal. And they weren't even unlikeable in an interesting way, they just felt... kinda flat and boring and passive.
(Also, I kept waiting for the fact that Lal
So. Yeah. Unfortunately this book did not live up to my expectations 😔
(Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Drug use, Grief, and Sexual content
Minor: Vomit
adancewithbooks's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Thank you to Jo Fletcher Books for the review copy in exchange for an honest review. This does not change my opinion in anyway.
If you are looking for an active AI revolution scifi story, best turn around now. A Strange and Beautiful Light is a character driven story that takes a look at the consequences of AI use on people. The moral implications,and what is good and bad.
It makes the book an interesting read with questions about the politics that would be needed around AI use and the effect this will have on the day to day lives of people. What about freedom when the government gives you money? And can we really use AI when we give them a concience? Not only that but we explore the lives of our three female mc's. How does it personally affect them and what role do they play?
I sometimes struggled with this book. It was boring in places, the AI revolution being a backdrop for the lives of these women. Who I unfortunately didn't much care about. And if you don't much like the characters in a character driven book than it falls down a lot with that. I thought I would have liked Lal at the start but she took such a sharp turn as a person and the way she treated those around her. Somewhere she said she was close to her sister when they neither have any idea what is actually happening in each others lives. Rose on the other hand seemed judgemental but grew out to be the character I did like best. She questioned and tried out things. Learned and was active with so many things. Janetta was a wet potato, a smart one at that.
I do wonder if this kind of a plot would have perhaps been more powerful as a shorter story. The point that the author wants to make through these characters and the open ending are great and thought-provoking. But the length took away from some the punch by dwindling in the lives of the women. I also wondered why they were so adement that concious AI would kill them if they couldn't control them when the AI had never given them any reason to think that.
Even so, if these kind of thought provoking books interest you I do think that it is a great one to read.
If you are looking for an active AI revolution scifi story, best turn around now. A Strange and Beautiful Light is a character driven story that takes a look at the consequences of AI use on people. The moral implications,and what is good and bad.
It makes the book an interesting read with questions about the politics that would be needed around AI use and the effect this will have on the day to day lives of people. What about freedom when the government gives you money? And can we really use AI when we give them a concience? Not only that but we explore the lives of our three female mc's. How does it personally affect them and what role do they play?
I sometimes struggled with this book. It was boring in places, the AI revolution being a backdrop for the lives of these women. Who I unfortunately didn't much care about. And if you don't much like the characters in a character driven book than it falls down a lot with that. I thought I would have liked Lal at the start but she took such a sharp turn as a person and the way she treated those around her. Somewhere she said she was close to her sister when they neither have any idea what is actually happening in each others lives. Rose on the other hand seemed judgemental but grew out to be the character I did like best. She questioned and tried out things. Learned and was active with so many things. Janetta was a wet potato, a smart one at that.
I do wonder if this kind of a plot would have perhaps been more powerful as a shorter story. The point that the author wants to make through these characters and the open ending are great and thought-provoking. But the length took away from some the punch by dwindling in the lives of the women. I also wondered why they were so adement that concious AI would kill them if they couldn't control them when the AI had never given them any reason to think that.
Even so, if these kind of thought provoking books interest you I do think that it is a great one to read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
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