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michaeljpdx's review against another edition
4.0
You can find my full review of “Something Human” at my web site.
emilyrpf's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-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
5.0
coffeeintherain's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
floriograph's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
pam_h's review against another edition
3.0
3.25 stars
I have no idea why it took me so long to finish this. It was light and sweet and pretty straightforward, and I think that’s what threw me off. I was expecting something else entirely, and I wish I had read this when I was in a better mood for it. Because it’s really nice. I will definitely be reading more from this author, and I have a feeling this would have been rated a little higher if I’d read it on a different day. (Or a different year? This may be one that needs a 2020 asterisk beside it.) Also really enjoyed the epilogue available when you sign up for the author’s newsletter. Rus's personality really shines.
I have no idea why it took me so long to finish this. It was light and sweet and pretty straightforward, and I think that’s what threw me off. I was expecting something else entirely, and I wish I had read this when I was in a better mood for it. Because it’s really nice. I will definitely be reading more from this author, and I have a feeling this would have been rated a little higher if I’d read it on a different day. (Or a different year? This may be one that needs a 2020 asterisk beside it.) Also really enjoyed the epilogue available when you sign up for the author’s newsletter. Rus's personality really shines.
oneforsorrow's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
kaje_harper's review against another edition
5.0
This is historical alternate-universe, set in a world like ours with echoes of the Ancient Romans/Greeks and Celts. Two men on opposite sides in battle save each other's lives, and then find themselves isolated together, away from the ebb and flow of the fighting, long enough to get to know each other. Long enough for attraction and a meeting of like minds to become something more.
Adares has a very appealing mix of self-confidence, curiosity, and intelligence. Rus is also intelligent, more instinctive, from a society less formal and organized, but with its own kinds of power. For a brief moment they find happiness together that neither of them could have imagined. But they can't hide from the war forever, and what they have together doesn't translate to who they are when the world intrudes on their sanctuary.
I loved the world-building here, the contrast of cultures, the way each of these men brought something different to the table. I loved Adares' stubbornness and optimism, and Rus's kindness and way of seeing the world. A beautiful story about love overcoming obstacles.
Adares has a very appealing mix of self-confidence, curiosity, and intelligence. Rus is also intelligent, more instinctive, from a society less formal and organized, but with its own kinds of power. For a brief moment they find happiness together that neither of them could have imagined. But they can't hide from the war forever, and what they have together doesn't translate to who they are when the world intrudes on their sanctuary.
I loved the world-building here, the contrast of cultures, the way each of these men brought something different to the table. I loved Adares' stubbornness and optimism, and Rus's kindness and way of seeing the world. A beautiful story about love overcoming obstacles.
torkin's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-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? No
4.75
achanceofsunny's review against another edition
5.0
Hhhhhhhhhhh I have left this earth
Idk how AJ Demas can write two characters who feel very similar to the main characters of her other trilogy and still not bore me even a little bit
I ALSO have no idea how she can continuously write characters that fall completely in love in just a few days and still have it not feel insta-lovey at all
The balance of plot vs romance was perfect, in my opinion, and the characters had great chemistry and felt very real. I think her characters always handle their feelings in a very realistic and believable way without being overly awkward or hard to read.
Also the third act conflict in this was super realistic and didn’t feel at all forced in the way third act conflicts almost always do for me.
Stellar. can’t wait 2 reread already. pls write 400 more books.
Idk how AJ Demas can write two characters who feel very similar to the main characters of her other trilogy and still not bore me even a little bit
I ALSO have no idea how she can continuously write characters that fall completely in love in just a few days and still have it not feel insta-lovey at all
The balance of plot vs romance was perfect, in my opinion, and the characters had great chemistry and felt very real. I think her characters always handle their feelings in a very realistic and believable way without being overly awkward or hard to read.
Also the third act conflict in this was super realistic and didn’t feel at all forced in the way third act conflicts almost always do for me.
Stellar. can’t wait 2 reread already. pls write 400 more books.
carmadillobear's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
read this in one sitting and it was just so good. set in the same alt-historical Mediterranean world as her other books, Something Human starts with our two main characters, on opposing sides of a
war, meeting in the immediate aftermath of a battle. Adares, an administrator on the side of the Greek-ish colony, is trapped under a cart, and Rus, a warrior priest for the Celtic-ish tribe, digs him out and saves his life without knowing who he is. they save each other and hide up in an abandoned temple to recuperate, and the story starts from there.
the setting feels so real and lived in, each of their cultures distinct and detailed, and i just love the way AJ Demas wrote and explored the characters' cultural differences through their conversation and banter. i usually am not a fan of instant love as a trope, but this was so beautifully written that i found i didn't mind it as much. there's something so laidback and relaxed about AJ Demas' writing, and perhaps occasionally i found it tipped a little too far and the story didn't quite have enough tension, but all in all this was a lovely and delightful read, not particularly complex, no heartstopping action, just a sweet slow-moving story and a heartfelt romance between likeable characters.
war, meeting in the immediate aftermath of a battle. Adares, an administrator on the side of the Greek-ish colony, is trapped under a cart, and Rus, a warrior priest for the Celtic-ish tribe, digs him out and saves his life without knowing who he is. they save each other and hide up in an abandoned temple to recuperate, and the story starts from there.
the setting feels so real and lived in, each of their cultures distinct and detailed, and i just love the way AJ Demas wrote and explored the characters' cultural differences through their conversation and banter. i usually am not a fan of instant love as a trope, but this was so beautifully written that i found i didn't mind it as much. there's something so laidback and relaxed about AJ Demas' writing, and perhaps occasionally i found it tipped a little too far and the story didn't quite have enough tension, but all in all this was a lovely and delightful read, not particularly complex, no heartstopping action, just a sweet slow-moving story and a heartfelt romance between likeable characters.