Reviews

The Cloud Roads by Martha Wells

grace_b_3's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

As a fan of the Murderbot series, I was looking forward to reading this. I like Murderbot better, but I still enjoyed this book. The world was unique and interesting, with a strong central conflict that can see driving the series forward. Where this book fell short for me was some of the relationship-building, particularly that of the romantic relationship. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Murder

Moderate: Sexual content and Xenophobia

Minor: Sexual violence and Pregnancy

kivt's review against another edition

5.0

Best thing about this was definitely the descriptions of all the different people and settings. Awesome hallucinatory dream-video-game-concept-art feel. Kind of comparable to The Color of Distance but without the depth of detail. It took me a bit to like Moon and I'd still say the characters are not the strongest aspect of the book. The pacing is nice and brisk, though.

Second read: In retrospect, I think this is my favorite of the Raksura novels. It's just so much fun to learn about the world & Moon.

everywhen's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious 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

4.25

chia_s's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective 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

4.5

whimsicalmeerkat's review against another edition

4.0

A wonderful introduction to a fascinating world. The narrator is just OK, but good enough that I was able to enjoy the story. Frost is my favorite.

elizafiedler's review against another edition

challenging dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

A book about the sex trafficking of dragon-people. Complicated things going on with a race of beings that are viewed as inherently corrupted and corrupting, which I don't have the energy to really look at critically right now but am concerned about its implications. 

polygonia's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious tense 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

3.25

montahue's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring relaxing 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? It's complicated

5.0

esseastri's review against another edition

5.0

I’m coming to understand that I simply love how Martha Wells writes, and especially how she writes characters. I’m a sucker for a character who just wants to be loved, and Moon is definitely high on that spectrum. This book is a beautiful exploration of finding a place to call your own, learning that you don’t need to fit in to belong, and allowing yourself to be loved. 

I’m so glad I have so much Martha Wells to catch up on. I’m so grateful that I’ve got her whole backlist still to read. I can’t wait to get my hands on it all. 

olyts'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
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0