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coriandercake's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this one. I'm not a big fan of plots about corporate greed and some of the dialogue that was just cussing felt unnecessary. The ending was a bit abrupt, especially as many of the characters just disappeared and were only referred to in conversation. I would have liked more closure.
jehangel's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
caitcoy's review against another edition
5.0
Dead Space is what I'd probably call a sci-fi thriller with very strong cyberpunk detective vibes. The story follows Hester Marley, who works a mediocre job as a security consultant for a company she hates but to which she is deeply indebted. When a close friend and former colleague is murdered and connections to their past resurface, Marley becomes determined to get to the bottom of it.
This was such a palate cleanser for me after Dead Silence, which I was deeply disappointed by, and I think I'm in the minority opinion but this worked so much better for me. In a lot of ways, Marley reminded me of Murderbot but without the humor. She's dealing with PTSD and depression after the way her life changed after a terrorist attack and the exploration of that trauma was intriguing and sympathetic rather than frustrating.
I also really loved the exploration of robots and AI in this one, there are places that it almost anthropomorphizes elements of the robots and explores the way humans tend to do that and the ways large companies will exploit their employees if given the slightest leeway to do so. This focus on mega corporations vs the individual definitely gave me the strong cyberpunk vibes and I loved that.
Overall, Dead Space gave me exactly what I wanted: a futuristic thriller with hints of horror and a sympathetic but deeply flawed main character. I will warn that it has a very open ending so if that sort of thing bothers you, it might not be for you. I got the resolution I wanted from it so I was left satisfied and definitely willing to try more from Kali Wallace.
This was such a palate cleanser for me after Dead Silence, which I was deeply disappointed by, and I think I'm in the minority opinion but this worked so much better for me. In a lot of ways, Marley reminded me of Murderbot but without the humor. She's dealing with PTSD and depression after the way her life changed after a terrorist attack and the exploration of that trauma was intriguing and sympathetic rather than frustrating.
I also really loved the exploration of robots and AI in this one, there are places that it almost anthropomorphizes elements of the robots and explores the way humans tend to do that and the ways large companies will exploit their employees if given the slightest leeway to do so. This focus on mega corporations vs the individual definitely gave me the strong cyberpunk vibes and I loved that.
Overall, Dead Space gave me exactly what I wanted: a futuristic thriller with hints of horror and a sympathetic but deeply flawed main character. I will warn that it has a very open ending so if that sort of thing bothers you, it might not be for you. I got the resolution I wanted from it so I was left satisfied and definitely willing to try more from Kali Wallace.
allyssa_evans's review against another edition
4.0
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. When I first started reading it I was expecting it to be just another Expanse rip off. Instead the mystery and characters were engaging, the pacing was good, and overall was a satisfying read. One of the best parts for me was seeing a main character who suffered from physical hindrances and chronic pain (from an accident). As someone with chronic pain and an autoimmune disease I feel that too often characters with physical illnesses are not portrayed as taking action, or pushing the story forward through their own autonomy vs being a side character there to motivate the main character. The portrayal of someone dealing with chronic pain from perspective was accurate and refreshing.
ssweetrose's review against another edition
4.0
*** 3.5***
I think the author did a really good job of tying everything together at the end. I've seen some label it as horror but for me its much more of a scfi thriller with lots of action and some grahpic wounds and deaths. I think thats part of why I rated it a little lower than I might have other wise, I persnally do'nt enjoy reading long action squences. Other then that I think the main character and mystery were well written. The parts focusing on Ai and how one might think were the most interesting parts for me. If any of thise sounds good to you I say give it a try. I'l keep an eye for more from this aurther.
I think the author did a really good job of tying everything together at the end. I've seen some label it as horror but for me its much more of a scfi thriller with lots of action and some grahpic wounds and deaths. I think thats part of why I rated it a little lower than I might have other wise, I persnally do'nt enjoy reading long action squences. Other then that I think the main character and mystery were well written. The parts focusing on Ai and how one might think were the most interesting parts for me. If any of thise sounds good to you I say give it a try. I'l keep an eye for more from this aurther.
weeses's review against another edition
3.0
im a mom of an ai is such an under utilized trope. found the mc to be tooo fucking shill-y abt the corperation shit tho. like girl the propaganda of it all
chromatick's review
3.0
I really enjoyed "Salvation Day", but this book was not nearly as good.
Pretty much at the end of the day, this was a decidedly average sci-fi, locked room, murder mystery.
The writing is good enough, and the main character is really well developed, but this one just didn't have the spark that her previous novel did.
It's not a bad book by any means, but not one that I would really recommend either.
Pretty much at the end of the day, this was a decidedly average sci-fi, locked room, murder mystery.
The writing is good enough, and the main character is really well developed, but this one just didn't have the spark that her previous novel did.
It's not a bad book by any means, but not one that I would really recommend either.
distantplanet's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25