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scifistalker's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.5
cuindless's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-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
5.0
The second book of Stark Holborn's Factus Trilogy is an excellent read, full of wild action, emotional character moments, and plot revelations. The world Stark has built is a fascinating mix of Mad Max, Fallout, and Dune that kept me on the edge of my seat. 100% recommend.
anarmandameg's review against another edition
dark
fast-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
4.5
verkruissen's review against another edition
5.0
Ten Low and now Hel's Eight are some of the best science fiction books I've read in ages! Hel's Eight picks up several years later after Ten has gone to stay close to the Edge where people won't find her unless they need her medical assistance. But as fate would have it, her friends need her skills with the Seekers whom she has been marked by to help stop a war before it begins.
This is the type of story I find very hard to put down and it really stays with me afterwards. Ten is such an amazing character and the world that Stark Holborn has created is so insane, I love it. Ten is the character you would get if you took River Tam from Firefly and Neo from the Matrix and mixed them into this complex and unforgettable character.
The world that Stark Holborn has created is both terrifying and intriguing and you don't know if you should love it or hate it. I just know that I love this series and it will definitely be read again in the future. I highly recommend them.
This is the type of story I find very hard to put down and it really stays with me afterwards. Ten is such an amazing character and the world that Stark Holborn has created is so insane, I love it. Ten is the character you would get if you took River Tam from Firefly and Neo from the Matrix and mixed them into this complex and unforgettable character.
The world that Stark Holborn has created is both terrifying and intriguing and you don't know if you should love it or hate it. I just know that I love this series and it will definitely be read again in the future. I highly recommend them.
shansbookshelves's review against another edition
4.0
This series is honestly incredible. This was a sequel to die for and I loved how it all played out. Yes some parts could have been fleshed out more but I’m a sucker for a good sci-fi that does the job under 400 pages.
Gabi continues to be my favourite character with Falco a close second. I love that we get Pec’s beginning in addition to the rest of Ten’s story; the way it all links together gave me shivers. I’m a sucker for faith and all that.
Now I will say, sometimes Ten could be a pain to read about - in other words, a bit too dry and not as fun as the side characters- which soured my enjoyment a little. But we made do. A lot of her inner monologues go back and forth and back and forth, sometimes I wanted to reach in and SHAKE her. She did the right thing in the end and that final battle- CINEMA WORDY!!
I can’t wait to read more about Gabi- FINALLY- in the next book!
Side note- every character is queer!
Gabi continues to be my favourite character with Falco a close second. I love that we get Pec’s beginning in addition to the rest of Ten’s story; the way it all links together gave me shivers. I’m a sucker for faith and all that.
Now I will say, sometimes Ten could be a pain to read about - in other words, a bit too dry and not as fun as the side characters- which soured my enjoyment a little. But we made do. A lot of her inner monologues go back and forth and back and forth, sometimes I wanted to reach in and SHAKE her. She did the right thing in the end and that final battle- CINEMA WORDY!!
I can’t wait to read more about Gabi- FINALLY- in the next book!
Side note- every character is queer!
geekynerfherder's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliant!
Loved the first book, Ten Low, and Hel's Eight follows on by ramping the stakes up to 11! Think Mad Max meeting Firefly in the desolate Outer Rim territories (Tatooine) of Star Wars with plenty of action, especially in the final third!
Great to reacquaint with some of the characters from the first book, and to see how events from that book has affected them, none moreso than Ten herself, who's living in isolation until a surprise visit from Gabi sets things in motion.
The mystical Ifs, or 'them' as they are mostly referred as, play a bigger part here. And was good to see some of their mystery explored.
The journal interludes of one of the early convicts to arrive on Factus, adds another layer of lore, and neatly ties up some threads by the end of the book.
Overall, really enjoyed this book, plenty of drama and action with some great characters. Can't wait for the next book!
Loved the first book, Ten Low, and Hel's Eight follows on by ramping the stakes up to 11! Think Mad Max meeting Firefly in the desolate Outer Rim territories (Tatooine) of Star Wars with plenty of action, especially in the final third!
Great to reacquaint with some of the characters from the first book, and to see how events from that book has affected them, none moreso than Ten herself, who's living in isolation until a surprise visit from Gabi sets things in motion.
The mystical Ifs, or 'them' as they are mostly referred as, play a bigger part here. And was good to see some of their mystery explored.
The journal interludes of one of the early convicts to arrive on Factus, adds another layer of lore, and neatly ties up some threads by the end of the book.
Overall, really enjoyed this book, plenty of drama and action with some great characters. Can't wait for the next book!
iamgiantwoman's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
criminolly's review against another edition
4.0
Another fun, gripping, rousing sci fi western from Stark Holborn. There’s just a vibe to these books that I dig completely. This is the second (Ten Low being the first) but they can be read as standalones. They’re well imagined, action packed and full of characters you actually care about. Smashing stuff.