Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
Man, this was such an interesting book!!
I really enjoyed this whole futuristic dystopia world that Astrid built! The world building was absolutely fantastic! We also get some unexpected betrayals sprinkled in. Plus, we got some spicey scenes.
So we follow Sage, a warrior turned pizzeria owner. Now Sage wanted to go to the palace as she has a huge like high-school crush on Louis ego is the prince and it happens to be his birthday. Some strings pulled from her nephew Bram, and BOOM Sage had a ticket to the birthday!
We met the warlord when he had a fight with the Allseer (leader of Diamond city). There is some insta lust that happens with Sage for the warlord. Now, Sage has to make her way to where he is hiding and take him out. But things won't go as planned for Sage on this mission.
I will say Sage has made for an interesting FMC. Even though she's over 100 years old, she doesn't act like a grouchy old lady, she still seems so young. I enjoyed her relationship with Samson, her roommate, as well as her relationship with her nieces. The warlord is a very, very interesting character who is very into himself and everyone else.
I feel the scifi for this is it being futuristic with things like weapons, flying cars, and even medicines. Otherwise, it doesn't give me that typical sci-fi feel, which was nice. We have a very diverse cast of characters in this as well, which I have really enjoyed! There is lots of character development as the book goes on. There were some very unexpected twists, especially near the end that had my mind completely blown!
I highly enjoyed this book and am excited for the rest of the series.
I was gifted this book by Astrid, and this is my honest opinion! Thank you so much for this opportunity, Astrid!!!
I really enjoyed this whole futuristic dystopia world that Astrid built! The world building was absolutely fantastic! We also get some unexpected betrayals sprinkled in. Plus, we got some spicey scenes.
So we follow Sage, a warrior turned pizzeria owner. Now Sage wanted to go to the palace as she has a huge like high-school crush on Louis ego is the prince and it happens to be his birthday. Some strings pulled from her nephew Bram, and BOOM Sage had a ticket to the birthday!
We met the warlord when he had a fight with the Allseer (leader of Diamond city). There is some insta lust that happens with Sage for the warlord. Now, Sage has to make her way to where he is hiding and take him out. But things won't go as planned for Sage on this mission.
I will say Sage has made for an interesting FMC. Even though she's over 100 years old, she doesn't act like a grouchy old lady, she still seems so young. I enjoyed her relationship with Samson, her roommate, as well as her relationship with her nieces. The warlord is a very, very interesting character who is very into himself and everyone else.
I feel the scifi for this is it being futuristic with things like weapons, flying cars, and even medicines. Otherwise, it doesn't give me that typical sci-fi feel, which was nice. We have a very diverse cast of characters in this as well, which I have really enjoyed! There is lots of character development as the book goes on. There were some very unexpected twists, especially near the end that had my mind completely blown!
I highly enjoyed this book and am excited for the rest of the series.
I was gifted this book by Astrid, and this is my honest opinion! Thank you so much for this opportunity, Astrid!!!
I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have received an advanced copy of Diamond City from the author. I had the author reach out to me on Instagram asking me if the Diamond City series would be something I would be interested in reading and as soon as I read the blurb it was an immediate yes and I am so happy I did because it is amazing!
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
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:
Complicated
Sage was once an all-powerful warrior. Now she's more concerned about running her pizza shop in peace and fawning over the prince. When her family sells her out behind her back, Sage is forced into a fight she thought she ended years ago. Meeting the Warlord and gathering up rebels wasn't how she pictured her spending her immortal life, but as the Warlord shows her a side of the rebellion that Sage didn't expect, feelings for the people she's helping grow and the lines become blurred between good and bad.
I thought this book sounded interesting; pizza shop girl saves the world? Bring it on! There's a slow start with all the world building, but I do wish there was more of that. I felt confused by some of the information presented, like did I miss it while reading? Also, be prepared for 100 characters you need to know by name. I refused to make a list to keep them straight and my stubbornness prevented me from fully enjoying the story because I just couldn't remember who was who sometimes.
Otherwise, I think this was a solid first installment in what I hope turns out to be a great series! The idea is there, now I just need details!
I thought this book sounded interesting; pizza shop girl saves the world? Bring it on! There's a slow start with all the world building, but I do wish there was more of that. I felt confused by some of the information presented, like did I miss it while reading? Also, be prepared for 100 characters you need to know by name. I refused to make a list to keep them straight and my stubbornness prevented me from fully enjoying the story because I just couldn't remember who was who sometimes.
Otherwise, I think this was a solid first installment in what I hope turns out to be a great series! The idea is there, now I just need details!
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
Okay Diamond City is such a COOL concept y'all!
Sage is a survivor from the unification war, running her own pizza shop in the center of the city, staying low key because she also has a secret or two up her sleeve. 🤫
There are enhanced humans who have been thrown out of the city and called rebels and there is a power struggle between the Allseer, and the rebel they call the Warlord.
I swear there is so much going on behind the scenes during this that each chapter is like unfolding a new piece of information! There's obviously still something going on between the Lolligo and the city even 100 years after the unification war. Will the Lolligo come back and take what was originally theirs? Will Sage be able to bring together an army of the enhanced to protect their freedom she fought so hard for in the beginning?
If you're looking for action, sci-fi, dystopian, a lil spice 🌶️, and betrayals and hidden identities, you're going to want to pick up the Diamond City Series! I cannot wait to see where this story goes! 💛
Sage is a survivor from the unification war, running her own pizza shop in the center of the city, staying low key because she also has a secret or two up her sleeve. 🤫
There are enhanced humans who have been thrown out of the city and called rebels and there is a power struggle between the Allseer, and the rebel they call the Warlord.
I swear there is so much going on behind the scenes during this that each chapter is like unfolding a new piece of information! There's obviously still something going on between the Lolligo and the city even 100 years after the unification war. Will the Lolligo come back and take what was originally theirs? Will Sage be able to bring together an army of the enhanced to protect their freedom she fought so hard for in the beginning?
If you're looking for action, sci-fi, dystopian, a lil spice 🌶️, and betrayals and hidden identities, you're going to want to pick up the Diamond City Series! I cannot wait to see where this story goes! 💛
I love dystopian books and movies, it’s been my jam since I was a young girl.
Astrid Cole does a phenomenal job of detailed world building that doesn’t seem heavy handed at all. The included map is crucial, and really helps with orienting the reader! I really enjoy scifi and saw nods to so many of the different fandoms, sometimes Star Wars, sometimes Marvel, sometimes Fifth Element, I saw another review mention Blade Runner and I agree with that too!
Our FMC is Sage, who is actually way more than she seems at first. She’s settled into a comfortable life running a pizza place after being a warrior, hoping no one realizes her true identity. (Gives HUGE Sophie vibes from the show Loki in season 2! “Let me do my work in peace!”). When her secret is revealed and she gets roped into confronting the warlord that’s trying to ruin the peaceful life she has, get ready to watch her tear everything apart! She’s the very definition of a strong FMC, but she’s also so easy to love and so relatable in her basic wants: to be successful from her own accomplishments, to keep her family safe, and be loved and feel secure. But she’s got to fight. Again. And she thinks she knows who she’s fighting for but gets shocked and sickened at what she uncovers.
The MMC is Damian. Morally grey is my favorite color! His dialogue is top notch, and the relationship with him develops just the way it should to make it believable, Sage sees red flags but something about him makes her unable to stay away, and little spots peppered here and there make the reader invested in him. You love to hate him, then you start to think he’s not so bad, and then..
Astrid Cole does a phenomenal job of detailed world building that doesn’t seem heavy handed at all. The included map is crucial, and really helps with orienting the reader! I really enjoy scifi and saw nods to so many of the different fandoms, sometimes Star Wars, sometimes Marvel, sometimes Fifth Element, I saw another review mention Blade Runner and I agree with that too!
Our FMC is Sage, who is actually way more than she seems at first. She’s settled into a comfortable life running a pizza place after being a warrior, hoping no one realizes her true identity. (Gives HUGE Sophie vibes from the show Loki in season 2! “Let me do my work in peace!”). When her secret is revealed and she gets roped into confronting the warlord that’s trying to ruin the peaceful life she has, get ready to watch her tear everything apart! She’s the very definition of a strong FMC, but she’s also so easy to love and so relatable in her basic wants: to be successful from her own accomplishments, to keep her family safe, and be loved and feel secure. But she’s got to fight. Again. And she thinks she knows who she’s fighting for but gets shocked and sickened at what she uncovers.
The MMC is Damian. Morally grey is my favorite color! His dialogue is top notch, and the relationship with him develops just the way it should to make it believable, Sage sees red flags but something about him makes her unable to stay away, and little spots peppered here and there make the reader invested in him. You love to hate him, then you start to think he’s not so bad, and then..
I love this world building. Diamond City is Sci-Fi world with a beautiful city, flying cars, and a unique power system. The creation of this world, it's history, and it's lore are very well done and so interesting!
Our main character, Sage, is a war veteran who just wants to relax and live a normal life away from violence. I love her pizzeria and her connection with her neices. She is strong willed and opinionated but sometimes is so easily manipulated that it confuses me. She is trying to stay hidden but so many people know who she is.
I freaking love Samson. That's probably normal for me, I always love the best friend characters! He was hilarious and I enjoyed his character.
My only complaint is that sometimes the plot shifts in odd points. Ther are some time jumps and thought patterns that lead to an entirely different scene or conversation that don't flow well. It was easy enough to follow but felt a little jarring and pulled me out of the story.
Our main character, Sage, is a war veteran who just wants to relax and live a normal life away from violence. I love her pizzeria and her connection with her neices. She is strong willed and opinionated but sometimes is so easily manipulated that it confuses me. She is trying to stay hidden but so many people know who she is.
I freaking love Samson. That's probably normal for me, I always love the best friend characters! He was hilarious and I enjoyed his character.
My only complaint is that sometimes the plot shifts in odd points. Ther are some time jumps and thought patterns that lead to an entirely different scene or conversation that don't flow well. It was easy enough to follow but felt a little jarring and pulled me out of the story.
Quote: “If I had my heart,” Damian whispered to her, “I would cut it out and give it to you.”
Song: “Who Are You” by Bad Omens
Review:
This book seamlessly combined sci-fi with a post apocalyptic feel. This book has so much going on and book 1 definitely has a lot of info to build this intricate world. This series also offers a lot of twists and turns, betrayals upon betrayals, mysteries, epic battles, and so much more. Sage is our up-tight FMC who has always dreamed of meeting and marrying Prince Louis but he’s so guarded she has no way in, until the night of his birthday party. There she meets him and his General Blackburn. Blackburn fills her head with all sorts of nonsense which propels Sage to go on a mission to find the Infamous War Lord. After making into the camp, with a hostage in tow, will she defeat the War Lord, join his cause, or perhaps, fall in love with him?
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This has me hooked and drawn into the book within 3 pages!
I don't usually read a lot of Sci fi but when a friend recommended it to me, I knew I wanted to give this a try - And I don't regret it, I'm now fully invested in the worlds of Astrid Cole!
One of the more random things I've come away with from this book is the intrigue at new pizza ideas and dynamics now.
The world building here is insanely compelling. It's thrilling and exciting to see all the political drama unfold and i kept getting slapped with relatable and funny things to do with Sage, our FMC. She is fully no holds barred, no f*cks given, wise and war hardened, fiercely compassionate and just.
I loved her quiet confidence. Family and pizza are her heart and that paired with her "says it like it is" mentality give me vibes I just adore.
Astrid blesses us with the works:
Betrayals, backstabbing, redemption, pizza shops, destiny.
The plot had such sharp turns I kept skidding to a halt to make the twists, blowing my mind no less than 4 times!
My emotions were on a roller coaster ride on stars.
I love how Astrid is able to show such fragile brittleness both in those who are strong, but also a strength in being so.
The characters were beautifully flawed in their own rights with depth, and it made me get swept up in them. All the trauma and insecurities aren't just pushed under the carpet, but their pasts also impact their decisions, thought processes and choices such as the theme of the worry of manipulation.
Such devastation, resolute strength, and tenderness. All this rawness made me feel closer to them.
Also Sages crush being an open secret? I loved it. Gertrude is my understated mood
The dystopian Is spot on, allowing you to glimpse a fairy tale and then veering you away with impact to grittiness.
I don't usually read a lot of Sci fi but when a friend recommended it to me, I knew I wanted to give this a try - And I don't regret it, I'm now fully invested in the worlds of Astrid Cole!
One of the more random things I've come away with from this book is the intrigue at new pizza ideas and dynamics now.
The world building here is insanely compelling. It's thrilling and exciting to see all the political drama unfold and i kept getting slapped with relatable and funny things to do with Sage, our FMC. She is fully no holds barred, no f*cks given, wise and war hardened, fiercely compassionate and just.
I loved her quiet confidence. Family and pizza are her heart and that paired with her "says it like it is" mentality give me vibes I just adore.
Astrid blesses us with the works:
Betrayals, backstabbing, redemption, pizza shops, destiny.
The plot had such sharp turns I kept skidding to a halt to make the twists, blowing my mind no less than 4 times!
My emotions were on a roller coaster ride on stars.
I love how Astrid is able to show such fragile brittleness both in those who are strong, but also a strength in being so.
The characters were beautifully flawed in their own rights with depth, and it made me get swept up in them. All the trauma and insecurities aren't just pushed under the carpet, but their pasts also impact their decisions, thought processes and choices such as the theme of the worry of manipulation.
Such devastation, resolute strength, and tenderness. All this rawness made me feel closer to them.
Also Sages crush being an open secret? I loved it. Gertrude is my understated mood
The dystopian Is spot on, allowing you to glimpse a fairy tale and then veering you away with impact to grittiness.