Reviews with content warning for Domestic abuse - In Ascension

Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

In Ascension by Martin MacInnes

6 reviews

sunn_bleach's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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mariebrunelm's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Book sent by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a review.

Far out at sea, something has been found. Leigh is hired as a doctorate student in microbiology to take part in the expedition. She finds herself on this huge boat, living alongside dozens of other specialists, all bent on exploring what this discovery has to offer. She finds out the depths of the ocean are just as mysterious as the endless stretches of space, but this is only the first step of her journey.

This book grabbed me and I happily let myself fall under its spell. At first it reminded me of Sophie Griselle’s Into the Deep, a book I really enjoyed in 2022 (2021?). Of course, the two novels take very different directions, otherwise it wouldn’t be fun. Martin MacInnes chooses to explore the deep sea and beyond as well as the depth of human consciousness and the way memories shape us and our relationships with family, friends and colleagues. I loved how the author made me feel the exhilarating process of research and also the frustrations that come with the job. I also loved how he takes the readers further and further, but always showed the characters trapped in one way or another. This contrast worked really well.

I can’t really say much more because I think it’s better not to know too much about the story and its scope. But if you enjoy the intersection of science and yearning for the infinite, if you like your science to have some poetry and philosophy to it, then I encourage you to pick this book up.

Rep : sapphic MC.

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isadoodles's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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theinkwyrm's review against another edition

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mysterious reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

This was a literary sci-fi with vibes similar to Our Wives Under the Sea meets Galaxias with a hint of climate drama thrown in for the razzle dazzle. I really liked some of the individual settings and the science was actually pretty interesting for the first half(ish) of the book, but the back end really lost me and I was not at all a fan of the ending. I also feel like the entire section from Helena’s POV could have been cut and it wouldn’t have made any difference to the overall theme/ vibes of the book. I’m not mad that I read it, I just wish I had enjoyed it more.

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megalizard92's review against another edition

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challenging emotional inspiring sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I found this a slow and introspective novel. The main character was relatable in her search for something new and her struggle with her relationships within her family.

The main character has a troubled relationship with her family due to a history of domestic abuse. I think this really informs her decisions to isolate herself: not in a traditional sense but in her decisions to push the boundaries of science and exploration.

This novel gave me an intense feeling of depth and isolation. The references to science and experimentation and the way this fit with the career choices of the protagonist and her family also intrigued me.

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feebles640's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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