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theamazingmrg's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Solid, cinematic, sci-fi action.
nekoshka's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, War, Death, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Body horror, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, and Genocide
Minor: Child death and Death of parent
whitegore's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
namulith's review against another edition
2.0
Meh. The overall idea was fun, the characters had potential but the writing couldn't pull it off. It's the author's first novel and if he keeps at it future books will probably be great fun. This one wasn't, though.
Too many barrel-chested, broad-shouldered beings, way, way too much talk about Stormblood and too many cringey dialogs, info dumps and coincidences. In short, sloppy writing. If the potential of the author's ideas and his desire to tell a great story wouldn't shine through, it'd be a lost cause. I'll keep an eye out for future books.
Too many barrel-chested, broad-shouldered beings, way, way too much talk about Stormblood and too many cringey dialogs, info dumps and coincidences. In short, sloppy writing. If the potential of the author's ideas and his desire to tell a great story wouldn't shine through, it'd be a lost cause. I'll keep an eye out for future books.
trinforeman's review against another edition
3.0
While I absolutely loved the narrator for this audio, I really had a hard time with the dual time line. I found it a bit jarring in places. Sometimes it works for me and sometimes it doesn't. This just happens to be one of the times it didn't. I did enjoy the pacing and the characters though. Our main character had a lot of issues that he needed to work through over the course of the book. I did find the mentions of his condition a little much though. Repetition also tends to annoy me. However, at the end, I think my rating is more because the book is just not my style more than any inherent flaws with the book itself.
benbert's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
bookcoffeecake's review against another edition
4.0
Stormblood
by Jeremy Szal what a wild ride this was.
The story explores the aftermath of a far reaching conflict between two alliances. One which one side was only able to win using Alien technology to augment special forces units, which they were strongly warned again. Leaving the former operators unable to function in normal society because the alien drug that was used, altered them on a fundamental level. The fallout of which has repercussions through the universe as people start using the drugs recreationally and they spread, rapidly. The protagonist is one of these former special forces operators, together with his Hacker friend they are drawn into a conflict that has been part of him on a deep level., long before he knew it and which will have consequences on a personal level and a global scale.
I really enjoyed the worldbuilding, the universe that teemed with odd tech, Aliens, weird and oftentimes terrifying uses of technology. It is both beautiful, vividly described. and bleak at times. Always hinting at more to learn, more to see and to wonder about.
The aliens were described literally as being alien yet when the protagonist comes into close contact with one of them, he behaves very human. This does not take any joy away from the story, but felt like a missed opportunity to really go there and be truly alien.
Overall, this is a great read. I hope we will get to see what happens after this book and maybe explore more parts of this Universe, which in many aspects reminds me of the works of Alastair Reynolds, especially the breath and depth of the unique and weird worlds.
I got this book as a free ARC for an honest review. I have at this point already bought the book, and I am looking forward to reading it anew once released. If you enjoy military Space Opera, this is a definity read.
by Jeremy Szal what a wild ride this was.
The story explores the aftermath of a far reaching conflict between two alliances. One which one side was only able to win using Alien technology to augment special forces units, which they were strongly warned again. Leaving the former operators unable to function in normal society because the alien drug that was used, altered them on a fundamental level. The fallout of which has repercussions through the universe as people start using the drugs recreationally and they spread, rapidly. The protagonist is one of these former special forces operators, together with his Hacker friend they are drawn into a conflict that has been part of him on a deep level., long before he knew it and which will have consequences on a personal level and a global scale.
I really enjoyed the worldbuilding, the universe that teemed with odd tech, Aliens, weird and oftentimes terrifying uses of technology. It is both beautiful, vividly described. and bleak at times. Always hinting at more to learn, more to see and to wonder about.
The aliens were described literally as being alien yet when the protagonist comes into close contact with one of them, he behaves very human. This does not take any joy away from the story, but felt like a missed opportunity to really go there and be truly alien.
Overall, this is a great read. I hope we will get to see what happens after this book and maybe explore more parts of this Universe, which in many aspects reminds me of the works of Alastair Reynolds, especially the breath and depth of the unique and weird worlds.
I got this book as a free ARC for an honest review. I have at this point already bought the book, and I am looking forward to reading it anew once released. If you enjoy military Space Opera, this is a definity read.
vinjii's review against another edition
4.0
I wanted to read this book because of the themes it tackles.
Firstly, Stormblood talks about drug addiction in an incredibly clever and futuristic way. Stormtech is DNA harvested from an extinct alien race that allows its user to become the perfect soldier, but they pay a price: addiction to aggression and adrenaline.
Secondly, I am a sucker for loyalty, chosen (found) families, and brotherhood. (I also love me some extinct ancient alien race.)
I'm not the biggest fan of military science fiction and prefer space operas to hard SF, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover the themes of friendship and brotherhood are far more important to this novel than any of the action scenes. That's not to say there aren't any action scenes. Stormblood offers plenty of incredibly well written action.
And that's probably my only complaint, and also an outright 'it's not you, dear book, it's me,' - I'm not a fan of lengthy action scenes and during certain scenes I was beginning to skim...however, every time I did, Szal almost immediately managed to capture my attention again.
When I read a book, I don't see the scenes played out in my head, so for me it's hard to stay engaged reading fighting scenes. Just tell me who won, okay? Obviously, that's never the book's fault, and I must say Stormblood's action scenes are incredibly lively and well written.
Szal's prose is smooth and his descriptions are vivid. The world is rich and layered. Exploring it reminded me of the times I was playing Mass Effect.
Vakov is a relatable character with a damaging and traumatic past and his voice is unique. I cared for his well being almost from the start. He is witty, sarcastic and clever. An addict fighting his inner demons and riddled with PTSD. I can't think of a more intriguing and interesting protagonist.
Stormblood is a fast-paced debut, set in a vivid world, filled with brotherhood, comradeship, loyalty, and chosen family.
I recommend it to every science fiction fan who is intrigued by the premise. (And why wouldn't you be?)
Firstly, Stormblood talks about drug addiction in an incredibly clever and futuristic way. Stormtech is DNA harvested from an extinct alien race that allows its user to become the perfect soldier, but they pay a price: addiction to aggression and adrenaline.
Secondly, I am a sucker for loyalty, chosen (found) families, and brotherhood. (I also love me some extinct ancient alien race.)
I'm not the biggest fan of military science fiction and prefer space operas to hard SF, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover the themes of friendship and brotherhood are far more important to this novel than any of the action scenes. That's not to say there aren't any action scenes. Stormblood offers plenty of incredibly well written action.
And that's probably my only complaint, and also an outright 'it's not you, dear book, it's me,' - I'm not a fan of lengthy action scenes and during certain scenes I was beginning to skim...however, every time I did, Szal almost immediately managed to capture my attention again.
When I read a book, I don't see the scenes played out in my head, so for me it's hard to stay engaged reading fighting scenes. Just tell me who won, okay? Obviously, that's never the book's fault, and I must say Stormblood's action scenes are incredibly lively and well written.
Szal's prose is smooth and his descriptions are vivid. The world is rich and layered. Exploring it reminded me of the times I was playing Mass Effect.
Vakov is a relatable character with a damaging and traumatic past and his voice is unique. I cared for his well being almost from the start. He is witty, sarcastic and clever. An addict fighting his inner demons and riddled with PTSD. I can't think of a more intriguing and interesting protagonist.
Stormblood is a fast-paced debut, set in a vivid world, filled with brotherhood, comradeship, loyalty, and chosen family.
I recommend it to every science fiction fan who is intrigued by the premise. (And why wouldn't you be?)
stacey332's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is a tough one for me to rate because there are elements of it that I thought were done really well but then other elements that I struggled with.
I thought Szal did a fantastic job with worldbuilding! I was really intrigued by this world and its' technology and character dynamics. On top of that, the action scenes, the pacing and character interactions really stood out to me as excellent and very enjoyable but I really struggled with the plot and with the character motivations behind it for large chunks of the book. I wish that not only was the plot more complex and compelling but that the main character reacted to things happening more instead of largely just reacting to Stormtech. I didn't necessarily feel the tension in the story because of that. I also wasn't a big fan of the climax and resolution of the story since I didn't feel it really fit with the setup the rest of the book provided (for a villain that seems so competent and clever, I wasn't a fan of the villain monologue to tell us what's going on format or the resolution + the use of a trope I'm not a fan of).
I thought Szal did a fantastic job with worldbuilding! I was really intrigued by this world and its' technology and character dynamics. On top of that, the action scenes, the pacing and character interactions really stood out to me as excellent and very enjoyable but I really struggled with the plot and with the character motivations behind it for large chunks of the book. I wish that not only was the plot more complex and compelling but that the main character reacted to things happening more instead of largely just reacting to Stormtech. I didn't necessarily feel the tension in the story because of that. I also wasn't a big fan of the climax and resolution of the story since I didn't feel it really fit with the setup the rest of the book provided (for a villain that seems so competent and clever, I wasn't a fan of the villain monologue to tell us what's going on format or the resolution + the use of a trope I'm not a fan of).