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ghostmentality's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
thepagelady's review against another edition
4.0
This book offers an interesting mix! There's a slow burn romance, suspense, action, magic and science! It takes place in an underwater world that has a steampunk feel to it. The characters are diverse and interesting! It was interesting to see Rubem and the aurora would work out and connect but also what would happen with Rubem and Tavish's relationship. I wasn't really able to get into the plot but I loved the characters and it was a wonderful story and the imagination that went into this book is also wonderful!
emilyrpf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
charleyyyyy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
- 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
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death of parent, Gun violence, Medical content, Alcoholism, Animal death, Blood, Animal cruelty, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcohol
wildfaeriecaps's review against another edition
4.0
That was a very intriguing book! The world set up in this story is so interesting. I really enjoyed the concept of an underwater city of selkies and all of the political and class struggles. In a way, it was really easy to sympathize with the "bad guy" because, yeah, the stark difference between upper and lower districts was pretty intense. The characters were interesting and the plot compelling. I'd definitely recommend this book if you're into fantasy with a political bent with a healthy side of science.
ofbooksandromance's review against another edition
4.0
RTC but I enjoyed this one, so much. This book was just so fascinating to read and I had the best of time reading it. I loved how atmospheric this book was, it was so easy for me to lose myself in this book and the story.
I received an arc of this book and this is my honest opinion
I received an arc of this book and this is my honest opinion
kevinscorner's review against another edition
4.0
This was a 3.5 that I’m bumping up to 4 because of the fantastic ending.
Odder Still is quite an odd story with both fantasy and scifi elements. It follows a man who accidentally gets a parasite (think Venom) attached to him. As the parasite starts taking over more and more of him, he seeks help from the young aristocrat selkie whose leading family (and company) are experts in these energy-producing parasites. However, things get complicated when they become mixed up in murder plots, assassinations, and a full blown revolution in their underwater city.
So much is going on in this book that I thought I might have missed a prequel or something because I felt the need for a clearer introduction into this world. Once the story gets moving after the initial struggle of understanding what’s going on, the book had me gripped all the way through to that explosive final third. That last act was a truly spectacular action set piece that had me reading non-stop in the middle of the night.
What truly shined through in this book were the characters and their interactions. One is a gay black man with a chip on his shoulder who lives a lonely life with his exotic pets after being rejected by society. The other is a blind bisexual trans man who means well but remains ignorant in his rich sheltered life. They each struggle and grow as their backgrounds and perspectives on life grind against as much they blend together in their budding attraction and love. They both won me over, and I liked that their love never made their differences disappear or get glossed over.
Odder Still is a scififantasy series starter (but can stand alone) with queer and disabled main characters, fantastical creatures mixing with science fiction elements, a slow burn romance, and a clash between social and economic classes.
*I was provided an ebook as part of the book tour for it.
Odder Still is quite an odd story with both fantasy and scifi elements. It follows a man who accidentally gets a parasite (think Venom) attached to him. As the parasite starts taking over more and more of him, he seeks help from the young aristocrat selkie whose leading family (and company) are experts in these energy-producing parasites. However, things get complicated when they become mixed up in murder plots, assassinations, and a full blown revolution in their underwater city.
So much is going on in this book that I thought I might have missed a prequel or something because I felt the need for a clearer introduction into this world. Once the story gets moving after the initial struggle of understanding what’s going on, the book had me gripped all the way through to that explosive final third. That last act was a truly spectacular action set piece that had me reading non-stop in the middle of the night.
What truly shined through in this book were the characters and their interactions. One is a gay black man with a chip on his shoulder who lives a lonely life with his exotic pets after being rejected by society. The other is a blind bisexual trans man who means well but remains ignorant in his rich sheltered life. They each struggle and grow as their backgrounds and perspectives on life grind against as much they blend together in their budding attraction and love. They both won me over, and I liked that their love never made their differences disappear or get glossed over.
Odder Still is a scififantasy series starter (but can stand alone) with queer and disabled main characters, fantastical creatures mixing with science fiction elements, a slow burn romance, and a clash between social and economic classes.
*I was provided an ebook as part of the book tour for it.
antithesis's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-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
24hourpartymeeple's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Blood, and Gun violence
Moderate: Alcoholism