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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
Diamond City, the first installment in Astrid Cole's Diamond City Series, is a breath of fresh air.
I have read ALOT of Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Romance over the last 30+ years. This is the first book in quite some time that successfully checked the boxes - at the same time- in all three genres for me!
I mean...
Strong, Warrior FMC? Check.
Enemies to lovers? Check
Future Dystopian world? Check
Aliens???? CHECK!
Futuristic technology? Check.
LGBTQ+ representation? Check
And last but not least.... Pizza?? CHECK!
*Disclaimer* A sense of humor is required to enjoy. There are some downright silly scenes sprinkled in - which again, is right up my alley. :-)
I have read ALOT of Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Romance over the last 30+ years. This is the first book in quite some time that successfully checked the boxes - at the same time- in all three genres for me!
I mean...
Strong, Warrior FMC? Check.
Enemies to lovers? Check
Future Dystopian world? Check
Aliens???? CHECK!
Futuristic technology? Check.
LGBTQ+ representation? Check
And last but not least.... Pizza?? CHECK!
*Disclaimer* A sense of humor is required to enjoy. There are some downright silly scenes sprinkled in - which again, is right up my alley. :-)
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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:
Yes
Diamond City pulled me in with its unique and gripping plot—Astrid Cole has created a world that feels fresh and unpredictable. The storyline takes bold turns, and just when I thought I had things figured out, a plot twist near the end completely threw me off. It was a twist that made me pause, process, and then appreciate how cleverly the narrative had been constructed.
While the timeline was a bit confusing at times (a few transitions felt abrupt or unclear), it didn’t take away from the overall momentum or my enjoyment. I found myself constantly engaged, wanting to know more about the characters, their world, and the layers of secrets being peeled back.
With an ending that left me itching for more, I’m definitely looking forward to what unfolds in book 2. Astrid Cole has laid the groundwork for what I hope becomes a standout series.
While the timeline was a bit confusing at times (a few transitions felt abrupt or unclear), it didn’t take away from the overall momentum or my enjoyment. I found myself constantly engaged, wanting to know more about the characters, their world, and the layers of secrets being peeled back.
With an ending that left me itching for more, I’m definitely looking forward to what unfolds in book 2. Astrid Cole has laid the groundwork for what I hope becomes a standout series.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
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:
Yes
Okay so I read both Diamond and Emerald within a couple of hours, that’s how good this series is!
These books are officially in my top 3 favourite books of 2024. I haven’t read a lot of sci-fi before however I am a massive fan of dystopian. I can say that the author wrote the premise of this book really well. I was blown away by the sheer amazingness of the world-building, plot building, character profiles and descriptions and all the effort put into making a perfectly gripping series. I was a huge fan of the effort put into the history and religions and beliefs. Sage, the main female character, was so perfect to me. Even though to others around her she is pleased as a hardened warrior, we really see how emotional she really is. She feels love for a lot of people, dedication to her city, sadness for those who don’t survive the wars and an absolute devotion for her partner, Damien. Even though they do go through countless struggles throughout both books, they always prevail and find a way back to each other, which I adored. Now Damien, the male main character, was written exceptionally well in my opinion. I’m used to reading about hardened warriors with muscles upon muscles who struggle to show emotion. Damien, on the other hand, was described with a “slender frame” and fights with grace. He also cries a lot
These books are officially in my top 3 favourite books of 2024. I haven’t read a lot of sci-fi before however I am a massive fan of dystopian. I can say that the author wrote the premise of this book really well. I was blown away by the sheer amazingness of the world-building, plot building, character profiles and descriptions and all the effort put into making a perfectly gripping series. I was a huge fan of the effort put into the history and religions and beliefs. Sage, the main female character, was so perfect to me. Even though to others around her she is pleased as a hardened warrior, we really see how emotional she really is. She feels love for a lot of people, dedication to her city, sadness for those who don’t survive the wars and an absolute devotion for her partner, Damien. Even though they do go through countless struggles throughout both books, they always prevail and find a way back to each other, which I adored. Now Damien, the male main character, was written exceptionally well in my opinion. I’m used to reading about hardened warriors with muscles upon muscles who struggle to show emotion. Damien, on the other hand, was described with a “slender frame” and fights with grace. He also cries a lot
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
What an adventure! I'm so invested. Sage is such an interesting FMC, strong, but with heart! There's a lot going on in this baby, by that I mean there's action packed from the beginning with twists and turns along the way. Romance with a side of fighting, ha more like the other way around. Basically trust no one and buckle up!
Wow, wow and again wow.... I loved it. The setting of this book was unlike anything I normally read . He got all my attention on every page I turned... We find sci-fi vibes but also dystopian that definitely give me 5 stars... I found the plot solid and I loved the writing of this writer with such diversity in the characters that they are all with their own personalities . But the thing I loved most was that this world was rich in detail and the story told full of everything that pleases me and that is betrayals, secrets and twists. I had a lot of fun reading this novel and I was very involved in the story. As soon as I can read the second book. As I said I definitely voted 5
WOW this book had it all! Action packed sci-fi, dystopian, and even a little romance! The world building was done beautifully, creating such a vivid picture of Diamond City, I wish I could visit there in real life lol!! Sage is the fiery pizza obsessed FMC with a humanoid Squid bestie named Samson (who is a real character I tell ya
This was a fun sci-fi read! the story follows Sage, a retired warrior who is thrust into a political conflict where she must decide which side to take. Sage doesn't want to take sides in the conflict, but wishes to return to her peaceful life running a pizzeria and taking care of her nieces. There were so many twists and turns in this book, I was always trying to guess what would happen next! There was a lot of world building, and I really enjoyed it, although I found it confusing at times. I can't wait to see what is in store for Sage in Emerald City!
Not my usual style of read but absolutely lovely nonetheless!!!!
A beautiful series so far!!!
A beautiful series so far!!!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes