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bibliovino's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
An action packed heist novel featuring a synthetic humanoid and a grand cast of human and alien characters, this story keeps a quick pace and an interesting exploration of its main character.
Our MC’s backstory was fascinating and I wish we’d been given more detail about the years between her creation and her banishment. We learn almost off handedly about her creator which sets up an important twist, but it lacks some punch. Her connection to the object she seeks to recover is compelling, though, and it has great pull for her and for the reader.
Unfortunately the romance which attempts to play as her motivation lacks depth. We barely meet her love interest before she seemingly falls in love, though we get very little interaction either on or off the page to justify that. I also missed any real description of his physical virtues which might have helped explain her sudden desire. Then he is absent for at least half the book so no tension filled gazes or brushing of hands to help us out.
The overall plot is intriguing and the heist itself is entertaining. I think you’ll enjoy the speculative plot building on our own familiar history and the twists that get us through to the end.
I read this as a judge for the Self Published Science Fiction Competition. Thank you to the author from my copy.
Our MC’s backstory was fascinating and I wish we’d been given more detail about the years between her creation and her banishment. We learn almost off handedly about her creator which sets up an important twist, but it lacks some punch. Her connection to the object she seeks to recover is compelling, though, and it has great pull for her and for the reader.
Unfortunately the romance which attempts to play as her motivation lacks depth. We barely meet her love interest before she seemingly falls in love, though we get very little interaction either on or off the page to justify that. I also missed any real description of his physical virtues which might have helped explain her sudden desire. Then he is absent for at least half the book so no tension filled gazes or brushing of hands to help us out.
The overall plot is intriguing and the heist itself is entertaining. I think you’ll enjoy the speculative plot building on our own familiar history and the twists that get us through to the end.
I read this as a judge for the Self Published Science Fiction Competition. Thank you to the author from my copy.
errantdreams's review
4.0
This is a low-key heist story, in that we end up seeing a handful of cascading heists go forward. Steal one thing, betray one person to another, steal another item to trade for someone, rescue a person, go off to steal another item… it’s great, and each situation is new and interesting. However, this is more of a character story than a heist story. So the focus isn’t on incredibly complicated heists, but rather on all of the various character interactions involved. There are stints of survival story, hints of maybe-romance and sexual attraction, running around all secret-spy identity-switching craziness, appearance-altering, jail-breaks, and more. (Content warning for sexual assault.)
I love most of the characters in here, but oddly I felt Jerrod could have used a little more depth. We get to fully explore Bri’s uncertain feelings for him, but there are periods of time where he has to come to his own revelations and we don’t see him during most of those times, leaving his side of things a little bereft. Many of Bri’s allies, temporary or permanent, though, are fascinating to meet. In particular I like the lizard-aliens she hooks up with. I also like the fact that she establishes interesting relationships with alien races–that is, after all, supposed to be what the Synths are good at doing. Don’t worry though–humans get plenty of interesting personality, too!
There was one dropped plot thread. One side character leaves a message for Bri. Bri sets it aside to find a way to read it later, and… I don’t recall her ever getting back to it.
The details of the various alien worlds are great. This isn’t a book that’s focused on worldbuilding first and foremost, but the results infuse the pages. Some of it is serious, some quirky, and all of it suits the story.
I really enjoyed this book, and I’m glad I picked it up.
Original review posted on my blog: http://www.errantdreams.com/2019/04/review-memoirs-of-a-synth-gold-record-leigh-saunders/
I love most of the characters in here, but oddly I felt Jerrod could have used a little more depth. We get to fully explore Bri’s uncertain feelings for him, but there are periods of time where he has to come to his own revelations and we don’t see him during most of those times, leaving his side of things a little bereft. Many of Bri’s allies, temporary or permanent, though, are fascinating to meet. In particular I like the lizard-aliens she hooks up with. I also like the fact that she establishes interesting relationships with alien races–that is, after all, supposed to be what the Synths are good at doing. Don’t worry though–humans get plenty of interesting personality, too!
There was one dropped plot thread. One side character leaves a message for Bri. Bri sets it aside to find a way to read it later, and… I don’t recall her ever getting back to it.
The details of the various alien worlds are great. This isn’t a book that’s focused on worldbuilding first and foremost, but the results infuse the pages. Some of it is serious, some quirky, and all of it suits the story.
I really enjoyed this book, and I’m glad I picked it up.
Original review posted on my blog: http://www.errantdreams.com/2019/04/review-memoirs-of-a-synth-gold-record-leigh-saunders/
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