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a_h_haga's review
1.0
I don't know what to say about this book. I picked it up because I'm trying to read a bit more sci-fi again, and it was free on Audible.
There was a good premise for a story there, but it was executed very badly. There was more focus on the MC and her problems than the actual story, as well as on the world. But, despite that, there was very little world building. It seemed to be a mix of modern tech and sci-fi tech, but it didn't feel like those things fit together in any way.
And it didn't feel futuristic, but more like it took a thought about Victorian Society and slammed it into a modern day India, but also made it Muslim.
I did discover that this was book 2 in a series and I haven't read the first one, and I want to say that's why this one flopped for me, but I don't think that's the case. The first book is as short as this one, and while it might have shed some light on some of the comments made between characters, I can't imagine it doing a better job of world building than this one.
Oh, also, the disability-rep in this book just made me mad. Like people with depression of fatigue just needs a kick in the but to get out of bed. Nope. That is not how it works!
I also must make a note of the narrator. She spoke with an Indie-accent , which was fine for me, but the tone of her voice was rather nasal, so she came of as very sharp, which doesn't really work with the mic on my phone. So the listening wasn't a good one, although I think the accent gave more to the world building than the writing.
There was a good premise for a story there, but it was executed very badly. There was more focus on the MC and her problems than the actual story, as well as on the world. But, despite that, there was very little world building. It seemed to be a mix of modern tech and sci-fi tech, but it didn't feel like those things fit together in any way.
And it didn't feel futuristic, but more like it took a thought about Victorian Society and slammed it into a modern day India, but also made it Muslim.
I did discover that this was book 2 in a series and I haven't read the first one, and I want to say that's why this one flopped for me, but I don't think that's the case. The first book is as short as this one, and while it might have shed some light on some of the comments made between characters, I can't imagine it doing a better job of world building than this one.
Oh, also, the disability-rep in this book just made me mad. Like people with depression of fatigue just needs a kick in the but to get out of bed. Nope. That is not how it works!
I also must make a note of the narrator. She spoke with an Indie-accent , which was fine for me, but the tone of her voice was rather nasal, so she came of as very sharp, which doesn't really work with the mic on my phone. So the listening wasn't a good one, although I think the accent gave more to the world building than the writing.
efratmaor's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
graff_fuller's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
4.0
I am not a short story or novella reader, for the most part. BUT, when it comes to Elizabeth Bear, that is her strength. She is able to build a world, create...introduce...expand...explore a who arc for a character; plus she thinks outside of the box.
This story is told from the perspective of a woman from another culture and time than Elizabeth Bear. She fully understands what needs to be done...and does it well.
The rating is not against her in any way, I just desire more book. It is really hard for me to rate novellas high...especially when they are so short. Ugh. Just not my favorite type of book.
I actually liked this one better than the first one. I hope that she continues in this series.
Both of these books, In the House of Aryaman and A Blessing of Unicorns gave me a feel of P. Djeli Clark's short story, novella and novel in the Dead Djinn Universe. Maybe a collaboration in the future?
Again, make more stories within this universe, please.
This story is told from the perspective of a woman from another culture and time than Elizabeth Bear. She fully understands what needs to be done...and does it well.
The rating is not against her in any way, I just desire more book. It is really hard for me to rate novellas high...especially when they are so short. Ugh. Just not my favorite type of book.
I actually liked this one better than the first one. I hope that she continues in this series.
Both of these books, In the House of Aryaman and A Blessing of Unicorns gave me a feel of P. Djeli Clark's short story, novella and novel in the Dead Djinn Universe. Maybe a collaboration in the future?
Again, make more stories within this universe, please.
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