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iheartya311's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Although I love this cover, I was apprehensive about this book after reading the blurb (westerns and/or sci-fi aren't really interests of mine) but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the story. The plot is unique and flows well. Character development and world building were executed with expertise, but I found myself often confusing the characters with each other. I usually struggle with alternating POV, and I did a little bit with this one but not much. First person POV, however, remains my arch nemesis and unfortunately plays a big role in how much I enjoy a book. Gabe was my favorite character; he seemed sweet, sincere, and protective but still mysterious. The writing was a tad simple at times but overall it moved the story along at an engaging pace. I wonder what will happen next!!
trufyre's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
mrsj_readsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Revenge is a fast-paced YA/NA LGBTQ+ sci-fi western with just a hint of vintage of Star Wars thrown in for good measure. The opening chapter starts with a BANG and the action never slows down. I enjoyed the multiple POV’s and seeing how each character reacted to what was going on at the time. The interaction between all 4 main characters was humorous at times, yet there is an undercurrent of love and hurt that needs to be addressed. Revenge is a heartwarming story of friendship and accepting people as they are. What an ending! I cannot wait for the next installment.
“It has been three years since Elvira "Ellie" Ryder was betrayed by her ex-boyfriend Cor, which caused the destruction of her people by invaders from a different Zone. Now she will do anything to find him and make him pay.
Ellie has found someone who knows where Cor is. The price—assassinate a half-human, half-Sirian who is trying to join the Society, a high-class club only for the rich. Ellie takes the job, as it wouldn’t be the first assassination job she has taken, and heads to the Human Zone. However, when she learns more about her target, the more she realizes what is going on behind the curtain, and how her people were really destroyed.
Will Ellie be able to forgive Cor after learning the truth? Or will she forever hold on to that hatred?”
“It has been three years since Elvira "Ellie" Ryder was betrayed by her ex-boyfriend Cor, which caused the destruction of her people by invaders from a different Zone. Now she will do anything to find him and make him pay.
Ellie has found someone who knows where Cor is. The price—assassinate a half-human, half-Sirian who is trying to join the Society, a high-class club only for the rich. Ellie takes the job, as it wouldn’t be the first assassination job she has taken, and heads to the Human Zone. However, when she learns more about her target, the more she realizes what is going on behind the curtain, and how her people were really destroyed.
Will Ellie be able to forgive Cor after learning the truth? Or will she forever hold on to that hatred?”
leontiy's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
will update with a review when I can figure out how to do so without writing an essay, and focusing only on the objective issues (regarding genocide, sex work shaming/hate/derision, and the creation of a "pure race") rather than the rest of the issues I had with this book.
oyyyyyyy.
the one star is for the description of three delicious pastries
oyyyyyyy.
the one star is for the description of three delicious pastries
lostmymindinbooks's review against another edition
Easily the worst book I came across in 2021 - so bad that its my first (and likely only) DNF of the year. Therefore, I will not be giving a star rating.
I gave up quite soon for several reasons.
1. The grammar. It's terrible. English is my second language and I am confident that I could have done better when I was 15. Even the VERY FIRST SENTENCE has a grammar mistake.
2. The voice. It feels like its written for a kindergarten child.
3. Sometimes a statement is made followed up by the character thinking something completely contradictory.
4. One of the characters is Not Like Other Girls™ but nobody would expect it from looking at her and she shames (teases?) a male character for liking girly drinks.
5. Sometimes the characters break the fourth wall in the most random ways. I don't mind it when it's done well, but here... No.
If an editor worked on this book, they did not understand the assignment and I hope the author can get a refund. If there was no editor at work... That would explain a lot to be honest.
I could go on and on but honestly, I don't want to waste my (or your) time. The only good thing about this book is the absolutely gorgeous cover.
I gave up quite soon for several reasons.
1. The grammar. It's terrible. English is my second language and I am confident that I could have done better when I was 15. Even the VERY FIRST SENTENCE has a grammar mistake.
2. The voice. It feels like its written for a kindergarten child.
3. Sometimes a statement is made followed up by the character thinking something completely contradictory.
4. One of the characters is Not Like Other Girls™ but nobody would expect it from looking at her and she shames (teases?) a male character for liking girly drinks.
5. Sometimes the characters break the fourth wall in the most random ways. I don't mind it when it's done well, but here... No.
If an editor worked on this book, they did not understand the assignment and I hope the author can get a refund. If there was no editor at work... That would explain a lot to be honest.
I could go on and on but honestly, I don't want to waste my (or your) time. The only good thing about this book is the absolutely gorgeous cover.
kitsunediary's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
theybedax's review against another edition
4.0
Not the most flushed out of stories but the rep is on point and the story is tons of fun. You just might find some fun in this futuristic, science fiction, western, with hella queer perspectives!
Some of the Rep:
- Asexuality
- Consensual Nonmonogamy
- Bisexuality
- MLM
Also, the audiobook is pretty good since each of the four main characters have a different narrator.
Some of the Rep:
- Asexuality
- Consensual Nonmonogamy
- Bisexuality
- MLM
Also, the audiobook is pretty good since each of the four main characters have a different narrator.
kiefer3022's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
1.5
Nothing much really happened. We’re introduced to 2 people who are looking for someone. Then they find him. There is background plot stuff.
The worldbuilding isn’t really there. The writing is more simple than I was expecting for a YA/NA novel. Overall was just bland and I didn’t really enjoy it.
The worldbuilding isn’t really there. The writing is more simple than I was expecting for a YA/NA novel. Overall was just bland and I didn’t really enjoy it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Murder, Genocide, and Violence
Minor: Sexual content
Sort of anti-sex work. One of the characters is a sex worker but the other characters laugh about it while trying to say that they think the line of work is fine.bookishdamzel's review
3.0
*3.5 Stars*
First off, I want to say I love the cover of this book. It reeled me in with the silver haired man, that I’m a sucker for in any media whether it be in book, manga, or anime format lol
Revenge had a great plot idea that I was looking forward to. A lover hell-bent on revenge against her ex after their planet was destroyed, the ex being up in the air and lots of secrets, a LGBTQ+ cast of characters. All set in Cowboy Bebop-esque backdrop.
I really enjoyed Revenge, but it had its issues. One being that the dialogue often did not advance the storyline at all, it was often like a slice of life conversation – where you talk about everything but nothing at the same time. It also took over half the book for things to ramp up, which I do understand being a future series, but I honestly wish that some things could have been cut out that didn’t really help the plot or backstory of these characters. I also felt like the characters had flat personalities up until the 60% mark of the book, which made it hard to get into the characters from the beginning. Ellie is “I’m not like other girls” type of character, Cor is the mystery man, Zach is the adorable ace man, and Gabe is the man in distress. I also felt some of the representation often shamed sex work, which isn’t cool at all, and it also felt like it shamed those who had sex at all. The polyamorous representation also felt super unhealthy, and I don’t know if that was an intention or just part of one of the characters feelings.
Overall, I enjoyed this book to see how the storyline progresses with future books and if the author improves on the story telling and character developing. I also really love Zach, not gonna lie. Despite my issues with the book, it was still cool to see where it ended and get more backstory on the characters near the end.
Disclosure: I received Revenge as an ARC through BookSirens and I'm voluntarily leaving this review.
First off, I want to say I love the cover of this book. It reeled me in with the silver haired man, that I’m a sucker for in any media whether it be in book, manga, or anime format lol
Revenge had a great plot idea that I was looking forward to. A lover hell-bent on revenge against her ex after their planet was destroyed, the ex being up in the air and lots of secrets, a LGBTQ+ cast of characters. All set in Cowboy Bebop-esque backdrop.
I really enjoyed Revenge, but it had its issues. One being that the dialogue often did not advance the storyline at all, it was often like a slice of life conversation – where you talk about everything but nothing at the same time. It also took over half the book for things to ramp up, which I do understand being a future series, but I honestly wish that some things could have been cut out that didn’t really help the plot or backstory of these characters. I also felt like the characters had flat personalities up until the 60% mark of the book, which made it hard to get into the characters from the beginning. Ellie is “I’m not like other girls” type of character, Cor is the mystery man, Zach is the adorable ace man, and Gabe is the man in distress. I also felt some of the representation often shamed sex work, which isn’t cool at all, and it also felt like it shamed those who had sex at all. The polyamorous representation also felt super unhealthy, and I don’t know if that was an intention or just part of one of the characters feelings.
Overall, I enjoyed this book to see how the storyline progresses with future books and if the author improves on the story telling and character developing. I also really love Zach, not gonna lie. Despite my issues with the book, it was still cool to see where it ended and get more backstory on the characters near the end.
Disclosure: I received Revenge as an ARC through BookSirens and I'm voluntarily leaving this review.