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adventurous
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A wonderfully, poetically written story about love, longing, and introspection.
An intriguing debut novel, with obvious self insterts by the author and an unusual obsession with an obscure Arctic explorer (but who am I to judge anyone’s obsessions?). This was the second book I reserved at the library, and I had to wait a month to get my hands on it. (I'm still waiting in line for the first one.) Although I can’t remember why I placed the reservation, it must have been because this novel was voted Readers' Favorite Science Fiction at the 2024 Goodreads Choice Awards.
My point is that, in terms of sci-fi, I would classify this novel as "sci-fi light." It didn’t exactly fulfill my sci-fi cravings.
Still, I found myself mesmerized by the unusual metaphors and the quiet longing between the two main characters, although I wouldn't exactly call it a romance either. What I appreciated most about this story weren’t the advertised themes of romance and sci-fi, but the careful examination of contemporary issues like the modern workplace and present-day racism, which I found quite insightful.
This wasn’t the perfect story, and I feel slightly melancholic about that because it seems like the author was so close to writing a truly poignant one.
An intriguing debut novel, with obvious self insterts by the author and an unusual obsession with an obscure Arctic explorer (but who am I to judge anyone’s obsessions?). This was the second book I reserved at the library, and I had to wait a month to get my hands on it. (I'm still waiting in line for the first one.) Although I can’t remember why I placed the reservation, it must have been because this novel was voted Readers' Favorite Science Fiction at the 2024 Goodreads Choice Awards.
My point is that, in terms of sci-fi, I would classify this novel as "sci-fi light." It didn’t exactly fulfill my sci-fi cravings.
Still, I found myself mesmerized by the unusual metaphors and the quiet longing between the two main characters, although I wouldn't exactly call it a romance either. What I appreciated most about this story weren’t the advertised themes of romance and sci-fi, but the careful examination of contemporary issues like the modern workplace and present-day racism, which I found quite insightful.
This wasn’t the perfect story, and I feel slightly melancholic about that because it seems like the author was so close to writing a truly poignant one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Racism, Cannibalism, Murder
Minor: Genocide, Homophobia, Slavery, War
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexual content, Blood, Cannibalism, Murder, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, Deportation
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I found myself laughing at the conversations between the characters and the observations of the expats. It was more layered than I expected, with twists I certainly did not see coming.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Cannibalism
Minor: Death, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
First and foremost this is a fanfic for Graham Gore. But, this is a very interesting read. I have mixed feelings about the characters, plot, and writing style, but I was interested in reading/finishing the book. I agree with reviews that it’s eccentric and charming, but it was doing a lot at once, which sometimes didn’t work. I enjoyed how “time-travel” had interesting and thought provoking lessons, even though the concept was confusing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Xenophobia
Moderate: Cannibalism
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Death, Gun violence, Racism, Grief, Alcohol, Colonisation, War
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was interesting, but definitely was nothing close to what I was expecting and it felt like I got lost in the plot a bit because it went all over the place very suddenly about halfway through. I think I was expecting this to be more romance forward and it definitely was not. It felt more like a science fiction category book with a romance subplot. The time travel was really interesting in the beginning and vague enough for me to follow with ease and as the story went on it felt like everything went off the rails in an effort to make the plot more intense, which felt pretty unnecessary to me.
I didn't dislike the book, but I also didn't love it, hence the 3 stars.
I didn't dislike the book, but I also didn't love it, hence the 3 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Racism, Murder
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
A little darker than I typically enjoy, but a good story. Interesting time jumps between some character perspectives.
A somewhat common problem in the future pushing the antagonists
My favorite part was the afterword by the author at the end about how she came up with some of her characters.
My favorite part was the afterword by the author at the end about how she came up with some of her characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content
Minor: Cursing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is one of the slowest, most boring books I've ever read. When the plot does finally start (last 100 pages) its incredibly pretentious.
I honestly found the whole book quite creepy and pathetic
I honestly found the whole book quite creepy and pathetic
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Colonisation
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Drug use, Blood, Cannibalism, Alcohol, Classism, Deportation
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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:
Complicated
I loved the different perspective on how it would actually feel to travel through time.
And I appreciated Kaliane using full artistic licence on a few words.
And I appreciated Kaliane using full artistic licence on a few words.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Homophobia, Racism, Cannibalism, Colonisation