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gabalodon's review
4.0
This was tons of fun. The characters were adorable and loveable and it was action-packed and fast-paced. It felt a little too frenetic and stressful at times (I really felt for poor stressed Margot) and though the characters themselves were well-developed and dynamic, I didn't feel like they truly emotionally connected with each other. There were some overarching plot points that didn't feel resolved, but the whole book was less about a central narrative anyway and more about throwing these four characters together and then throwing them into insane situations and watch the shenanigans they come up with. If you're looking for some fun space heist shenanigans, highly recommend!
techxplorer's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
dharmaavocado's review
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
A found family book without the found family. The characters have no arcs and Vibbert fails to write them coming together, which leaves you with the sense that these characters don't know each other at all.
The reverse sexism planet is lazy and not nearly as funny as Vibbert seems to think. The fact that Thane's abuse is played off more for laughs than anything really is A Choice Vibbert made.
If you're in the mood for some lighthearted adventure you could do worse but you can also do a lot better.
The reverse sexism planet is lazy and not nearly as funny as Vibbert seems to think. The fact that Thane's abuse is played off more for laughs than anything really is A Choice Vibbert made.
If you're in the mood for some lighthearted adventure you could do worse but you can also do a lot better.
mary_soon_lee's review
4.0
Sometimes people describe a book as escapist as if that were a bad thing. I disagree. This week was a hard one for me in the real world, and Galactic Hellcats was a brightly colored island that I visited gratefully, happily, eagerly. For those wanting to know more particulars, it's a character-centered interstellar girl-gang romp. There's heart and humor, the starfaring equivalent of hot motorcycles, and a beleaguered prince for the girl gang to rescue. Sign me up for book two (alas, not yet finished, according to the author's website).
Four out of five hellcat stars.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
Four out of five hellcat stars.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
girlwhoadventures's review
5.0
This was such a good book! I loved the world building and story telling. It made me want to read more sci-fi again. The main characters were all wonderful and relatable, and it always kept me wanting to read more!
verimythe's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
reasie's review
5.0
I mean ... I've read this 80 times through and I love it each time, but I'm the audience the author had in mind writing it. :D
... I did this mostly as a joke but now I can't remove it? Oops.
... I did this mostly as a joke but now I can't remove it? Oops.
mgdoherty's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
How am I supposed to just move on with my life now that I know this writer exists?
Placeholder notes:
- love how characters inner lives are explored here. Voice is expressed very differently than prev book (obvi bc different narrative conceit). The very close third person here allows enough distance that we can laugh at the characters interactions and misunderstandings but also we’re close enough to empathize when things go wrong for them.
- the plot stretches believability to the point of almost snapping, but I WANT to buy into the Galactic Hellcats’ shenanigans because the found family they become is so beautiful. If this were a book in which we seriously explored how Thane’s family is probably powerful enough to pursue and kill all our main characters with relative impunity, that would be a very different, much darker book. . Instead this book chooses to focus on the power of family and friends who love and accept you just as you are, whether that’s a sad kleptomaniac, an anxious mess who does best in combat situation, a queer prince who’s been abused all his life, or an aimless socialite in a parasocial relationship with royalty.
- I do wish this were either longer or that we have a sequel on the way. Pacing-wise, it took like 85% of the novel for the characters to start seeing each other as they truly are and begin to gel as a family/gang. Which isn’t to say we didn’t get good character beats before that — the perpetual Margot/Ki fights are really interesting because they’re coming at life from polar opposite perspectives and i would love to see that explored more. Also Margot and Thane’s tension about her trying to go home and Thane being like “some of us would have to go back to an abuse home.” Also her decision to forgo stability to protect him from having to go back to his abusive home was fascinating bc she’s angry she has to forgo stability but she does it anyway because she values his safety above her desires. And also Ki’s almost-unspoken understanding of who Thane is and why he is the way he is, and the way all she wants to do is heal the physical and emotional wounds his family have left. And the relationship Zuleikah has with Thane where she’s having to actively unlearn all the Royal propaganda that the publicists have fed the Ratanese population. Yeah. Yeah, I desperately need a sequel. An whole series.
Placeholder notes:
- love how characters inner lives are explored here. Voice is expressed very differently than prev book (obvi bc different narrative conceit). The very close third person here allows enough distance that we can laugh at the characters interactions and misunderstandings but also we’re close enough to empathize when things go wrong for them.
- the plot stretches believability to the point of almost snapping, but I WANT to buy into the Galactic Hellcats’ shenanigans because the found family they become is so beautiful. If this were a book in which we seriously explored how
- I do wish this were either longer or that we have a sequel on the way. Pacing-wise, it took like 85% of the novel for the characters to start seeing each other as they truly are and begin to gel as a family/gang. Which isn’t to say we didn’t get good character beats before that — the perpetual Margot/Ki fights are really interesting because they’re coming at life from polar opposite perspectives and i would love to see that explored more. Also Margot and Thane’s tension about her trying to go home and Thane being like “some of us would have to go back to an abuse home.” Also her decision to forgo stability to protect him from having to go back to his abusive home was fascinating bc she’s angry she has to forgo stability but she does it anyway because she values his safety above her desires. And also Ki’s almost-unspoken understanding of who Thane is and why he is the way he is, and the way all she wants to do is heal the physical and emotional wounds his family have left. And the relationship Zuleikah has with Thane where she’s having to actively unlearn all the Royal propaganda that the publicists have fed the Ratanese population. Yeah. Yeah, I desperately need a sequel. An whole series.
kevinmccarrick's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75