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virago's review
adventurous
fast-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
3.0
This was an okay read. The story is good, but everything else was just meh. I didn't really connect with the characters or empathize with them. And some of the plot was just predictable. The narration was just all right.
I didn't hate this book, but it wasn't as good as I expected it to be. I'm not sure I'm invested enough to continue the series past this novel. But there is potential, so perhaps the next book will be better.
I didn't hate this book, but it wasn't as good as I expected it to be. I'm not sure I'm invested enough to continue the series past this novel. But there is potential, so perhaps the next book will be better.
frecklesandstories's review
4.0
Revenge by Dani Hoots is a story about a sci-fi/fantasy world hellbent on segregation by race- but with a western backdrop.
And it absolutely has me on the hook waiting for book two.
The story follows a Kausian (golden-eyed shapeshifter), someone who’s half Kausian and half human, someone who’s half human and half Silurian (a reptile-like race), and a Kausian who seems to have betrayed his own race.
In a world so hellbent on segregation by race, and with Kausians at the bottom of the ladder, life ain’t easy for any of them.
This book has all sorts of queer rep including aroace, sassy oneliners worth highlighting, and plot twists I did not for the life of me see coming.
The only downside to this book for me was the way Ellie, the one female character, hates all things girly and femme. I’d be less annoyed at this if there were more non-men in the story but hey- it’s only book one.
In conclusion absolutely read this book if you like sci-fi/fantasy and western media.
samthebookdevotee's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
I was really excited to read this book as I don't get the opportunity to read many sci-fi westerns and I had a great time meeting the author at Phoenix Fan Fusion. Unfortunately, this did not quite do it for me.
There wasn't too much world-building. The author gave a brief explanation of the many races but then didn't really do anything with them. It was more like an excuse to create conflict and nothing else. No information on culture or any kind of background. It just felt all so one-dimensional for me. I also didn't even learn much about the area just that there are different zones for each race.
The characters weren't too bad, but it felt like the author picked one trait and just ran with it ignoring any other kind of traits the characters may have. Ellie kept being referenced as "different" from the other women. She wasn't special. She just didn't like girly things. Nothing wrong with that, but it kept being brought up over and over again. Like, I get it. No need to point it out again. With Cor being a prostitute I thought it was like pro-sex and prostitution but the other characters kept pointing it out and making digs throughout the book which weren't fun. Also, I wasn't a fan of the multiple points of view. I typically love to read multiple points of view but a lot of things were repeated which made the book a bit boring. We don't need to recount every scene multiple times.
Overall, it was an okay read. I probably will not read the second book. That doesn't mean I won't read more from this author. There are others books of theirs that I am interested in reading. This one just wasn't for me.
msbookworld's review
4.0
Revenge is set in a world where humans are neither the only nor the most numerous species. Ellie and Zach are Kausian bounty hunters, who have the power to shapeshifter into whatever form they choose. They take on a seemingly easy assignment in order to get information about former friend, and in Ellie’s case, fiancée, Cor. Zach and Ellie believe that Cor betrayed their people and is responsible for numerous deaths. Now they are out for revenge. But like in any good action story, nothing is ever so simple
I found this book to be part love story, part sci fi and part adventure story. It’s pretty fast paced and very entertaining especially Zach, Ellie and Gabe’s numerous antics. I found Zach’s love of girly drinks incredibly endearing. And with Cor, I’m such a sucker for a tortured soul.
Revenge is a story that will make you laugh a lot, but also begins to tackle serious issues including racisms and xenophobia.
Overall, I though this was a good start to the series.
I found this book to be part love story, part sci fi and part adventure story. It’s pretty fast paced and very entertaining especially Zach, Ellie and Gabe’s numerous antics. I found Zach’s love of girly drinks incredibly endearing. And with Cor, I’m such a sucker for a tortured soul.
Revenge is a story that will make you laugh a lot, but also begins to tackle serious issues including racisms and xenophobia.
Overall, I though this was a good start to the series.
theedfather's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
thatbookmom's review
4.0
This was such a fun, fast paced book with lots of action! The sci-fi/western setting of the book was so interesting. This story is told from multiple POVs (Zach, Cor, Gabe and Ellie) which I always like. I really enjoyed the characters and their different quirks, personalities and abilies. I'm excited to read the next book in the future, learn more about each zone and continue Ellie's story! I always love a badass women MC
hckilgour's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Enjoy westerns? Plot twists? LGBTQ+? Sci-fi? Then this book is for you cause it has it all!
The overarching premise I really enjoyed. It comes off as a western revenge story, but set with aliens. The middle of the book did kind of get a bit slow but then you get to the end and boy, lots of twists!
The lgbtq+ diversity of this book was great. And the normality of it all in this world was great to see.
I did have some issues with the dialogue as many of the characters tended to not use contractions which made certain things sounds a little stilted.
The overarching premise I really enjoyed. It comes off as a western revenge story, but set with aliens. The middle of the book did kind of get a bit slow but then you get to the end and boy, lots of twists!
The lgbtq+ diversity of this book was great. And the normality of it all in this world was great to see.
I did have some issues with the dialogue as many of the characters tended to not use contractions which made certain things sounds a little stilted.
ceruleao's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
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
4.75
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Knowing very little about Revenge by Dani Hoots before diving in made my time with it all the more surprising, memorable and fresh. The first Sci-Fi Western I'm adding to my bookshelf, but certainly will not be the last as I'm already eager to get my hands on Book 2 in the City of Kaus series. Ellie, Zach, Cor and Gabe were well-written, fully realized characters that kept me engaged from beginning to end. The story changes perspective between these four characters throughout and the author did a fantastic job giving them each a distinct voice and personality. I love reading novels with queer representation and found that the character's identities were well-crafted, feeling both nuanced and authentic. The queer identities were consistently present but not overly prominent in their personalities and plot.
I find that in many stories with multiple viewpoints the characters are often in parallel adventures, converging somewhere near the end. However, I believe Revenge benefits nicely from the characters sharing their thoughts with the reader as they are experiencing the events unfold together. We learn so much about the characters within each chapter and the reader's perception is often challenged when faced with new information. I also never found myself waiting for one character to stop talking so I could get back to the "good part." We've all been there.
The universe that the author has created is incredibly immersive with plenty of tension. There are five (or six) races and each one feels distinct and intriguing, yet not entirely unfamiliar. The world building in this first book does a wonderful job of painting a vivid picture, while leaving plenty of mystery for a sequel.
I've been enjoying reading quite a few Star Wars novels this year and between the bounty hunting, gambling, and Trandoshan-esque Silurians (Am I right?), I could easily imagine this book feeling right at place on Canto Bight or some unknown planet in the Outer Rim. This was such a fun read that I can wholeheartedly recommend to anyone as intrigued by the Sci-Fi Western genre as I was.
Knowing very little about Revenge by Dani Hoots before diving in made my time with it all the more surprising, memorable and fresh. The first Sci-Fi Western I'm adding to my bookshelf, but certainly will not be the last as I'm already eager to get my hands on Book 2 in the City of Kaus series. Ellie, Zach, Cor and Gabe were well-written, fully realized characters that kept me engaged from beginning to end. The story changes perspective between these four characters throughout and the author did a fantastic job giving them each a distinct voice and personality. I love reading novels with queer representation and found that the character's identities were well-crafted, feeling both nuanced and authentic. The queer identities were consistently present but not overly prominent in their personalities and plot.
I find that in many stories with multiple viewpoints the characters are often in parallel adventures, converging somewhere near the end. However, I believe Revenge benefits nicely from the characters sharing their thoughts with the reader as they are experiencing the events unfold together. We learn so much about the characters within each chapter and the reader's perception is often challenged when faced with new information. I also never found myself waiting for one character to stop talking so I could get back to the "good part." We've all been there.
The universe that the author has created is incredibly immersive with plenty of tension. There are five (or six) races and each one feels distinct and intriguing, yet not entirely unfamiliar. The world building in this first book does a wonderful job of painting a vivid picture, while leaving plenty of mystery for a sequel.
I've been enjoying reading quite a few Star Wars novels this year and between the bounty hunting, gambling, and Trandoshan-esque Silurians (Am I right?), I could easily imagine this book feeling right at place on Canto Bight or some unknown planet in the Outer Rim. This was such a fun read that I can wholeheartedly recommend to anyone as intrigued by the Sci-Fi Western genre as I was.
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