Scan barcode
steph01924's review against another edition
5.0
It's always so hard to put down a Claudia Gray book. Just what my adventure-and-romance-loving heart wanted. Loved it!
jackiehorne's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 It seems strange to use the word "gentle" to describe a SF book, but that's the word that comes to mind when I think about reading this. It's marketed as YA, and one of its protagonists, Noemi Vidal, is 17, but it had the feel at times of a middle grade novel—a bit lacking in subtlety or moral complexity that I expect in adult SF. But still, I enjoyed the story of Noemi, a military officer of the planet Genesis, which is in the midst of fighting back an invasion from home planet Earth (Genesis cordoned itself off from Earth when it became clear that the people of Earth were destroying their planet through misuse/overuse of technology, and would do the same to Genesis if given the chance). Noemi is prepping for the "Masada Run," a last-ditch effort to stave off the invasion by damaging the wormhole gate that leads from Earth to Genesis. But when her best friend/foster sister's ship is attached by mechs from Earth, Noemi abandons her mission to try and help Esther. Landing them both on an abandoned Earth ship, Noemi discovers that the vessel isn't quite abandoned: a high-level Earth mech is still on board, a mech far more sophisticated than any anyone from Genesis has ever encountered before.
Abel, mistakenly left behind during an enemy attack, has spent the last 30 years stuck in one room in the ship. He's grateful to be released by Noemi, even though their first encounter is a violent one. Due to an oversight in his programming, the mech, Abel, must obey the commands of the highest ranking human he encounters; Noemi, even though an enemy, just happens to be that person. After Esther's death, the two set off on a mission to try and gather materials to sabotage the wormhole gate so that 150 of Noemi's friends and fellow officers won't have to sacrifice themselves to do it. There should be no problem ordering a mere mech to sacrifice itself, she believes. But over the course of their travels, Noemi gradually discovers that there is more to Abel than even his own creator had even imagined.
Abel is similar to Star Trek Voyager's Data, although even more human-like from the start, and his own, as well as Noemi's gradual realization of Abel's abilities and autonomy, while predictable, is still moving. There are small hints of romance, here, too, which are appealing.
Hope there will be more world-building, and greater exploration of the moral issues of immigration, environmental exploitation, and just and unjust war in future volumes in the series.
Abel, mistakenly left behind during an enemy attack, has spent the last 30 years stuck in one room in the ship. He's grateful to be released by Noemi, even though their first encounter is a violent one. Due to an oversight in his programming, the mech, Abel, must obey the commands of the highest ranking human he encounters; Noemi, even though an enemy, just happens to be that person. After Esther's death, the two set off on a mission to try and gather materials to sabotage the wormhole gate so that 150 of Noemi's friends and fellow officers won't have to sacrifice themselves to do it. There should be no problem ordering a mere mech to sacrifice itself, she believes. But over the course of their travels, Noemi gradually discovers that there is more to Abel than even his own creator had even imagined.
Abel is similar to Star Trek Voyager's Data, although even more human-like from the start, and his own, as well as Noemi's gradual realization of Abel's abilities and autonomy, while predictable, is still moving. There are small hints of romance, here, too, which are appealing.
Hope there will be more world-building, and greater exploration of the moral issues of immigration, environmental exploitation, and just and unjust war in future volumes in the series.
emilyrandolph_epstein's review against another edition
5.0
This was a fun, heartfelt YA adventure story that explores the nature of what it means to be human. I enjoyed Able and Noemi as characters and though Gray set up a very interesting premise with the different worlds of the Loop. I look forward to reading more in the series.
crochetchrisie's review against another edition
4.0
OK, full disclosure - I really dislike third person present tense, so it took me a good 150 pages to get into the story. Once I got over it (and everyone got a little more like-able) it was a fun read. :)
books4susie's review against another edition
5.0
I really didn’t know what to expect when I first started this book. Told in alternating points of view from both Noemi and Abel, readers dive into a story full of mystery, intrigue, and romance. Enemies at first, it’s not long before Noemi and Abel realize that they are actually on the same side. Also the romance between human and machine is a slow burn that will have readers cheering the duo on. I really didn’t know how I expected the book to end, be it was phenomenal! With the story somewhat tied up, readers will be clamouring for the next installment in this series.
nicolemhewitt's review against another edition
5.0
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Defy the Stars is sci-fi at its very best---it's exhilarating!
What Fed My Addiction:
Complex characters you'll love!
Noemi is the type of person you can't help but root for. She's a bit of an underdog---doomed from the start of the book to die, she's accepted her fate. After all, she doesn't feel like her life is worth much anyway. Her story is sad but compelling, and the first person to truly convince her of her intrinsic value is an android (with a soul, of course). Speaking of that android, Abel is fantastically complex. As the book progresses he realizes that he just might be "broken." After all, he has thoughts and feelings outside of his programming. Ironically, Abel is one of the funniest characters in the book---his sarcasm and his sometimes misguided understanding of human emotions make him a fascinating character. I loved every minute of him!
Action, pacing and worldbuilding.
This is the type of book that catches your attention from the very beginning and never lets up. I was enthralled, ready to follow Noemi and Abel to whatever exotic planets they led me to (there were a few, and they were all very distinct). The worldbuilding is incredibly complex and developed, but it never felt at all overbearing or confusing to me. I'm not a fan of over-complicated worldbuilding with tons of descriptions, but I want to have a good sense of the world and how and why it got that way---this book fits ALL of those criteria perfectly. Noemi and Abel encounter plenty of peril on their travels (and the heart of their mission itself is incredibly dangerous), so there's action throughout the book and the pacing felt perfect as well!
Religious undertones.
I was honestly a bit worried when I realized that this book had some religious undertones. As a Christian, those can be hit or miss for me (sometimes religion can be portrayed pretty poorly). But Gray manages to explore religious themes and the concept of religion without giving "right or wrong" answers and without making any one viewpoint look bad. She shows us good and bad sides to religion and she portrays a main character who isn't quite sure what she believes---she's searching for truth and for her own understanding of a religion that's been "given" to her. I think many people can relate to that concept. But, don't worry, if you don't like religious themes at all the book is very light on them---they're definitely there, but they don't overwhelm the plot in any way, shape or form, and they can pretty much be ignored if you prefer it that way.
What Left Me Hungry for More:
???
I can't think of a single thing. I'm sure there must have been something I didn't love, but if there was, it was completely overshadowed by the awesomeness.
With its amazingly complex characters, intense action, surprising twists and beautiful storytelling, Defy the Stars is a book you don't want to miss! I can't wait to read more Claudia Gray now---I've apparently been missing out!
This book gets 5/5 stars and I'm (somewhat hesitantly---only because it's the first in a series) dubbing it an All-Time Favorite.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
Defy the Stars is sci-fi at its very best---it's exhilarating!
What Fed My Addiction:
Complex characters you'll love!
Noemi is the type of person you can't help but root for. She's a bit of an underdog---doomed from the start of the book to die, she's accepted her fate. After all, she doesn't feel like her life is worth much anyway. Her story is sad but compelling, and the first person to truly convince her of her intrinsic value is an android (with a soul, of course). Speaking of that android, Abel is fantastically complex. As the book progresses he realizes that he just might be "broken." After all, he has thoughts and feelings outside of his programming. Ironically, Abel is one of the funniest characters in the book---his sarcasm and his sometimes misguided understanding of human emotions make him a fascinating character. I loved every minute of him!
Action, pacing and worldbuilding.
This is the type of book that catches your attention from the very beginning and never lets up. I was enthralled, ready to follow Noemi and Abel to whatever exotic planets they led me to (there were a few, and they were all very distinct). The worldbuilding is incredibly complex and developed, but it never felt at all overbearing or confusing to me. I'm not a fan of over-complicated worldbuilding with tons of descriptions, but I want to have a good sense of the world and how and why it got that way---this book fits ALL of those criteria perfectly. Noemi and Abel encounter plenty of peril on their travels (and the heart of their mission itself is incredibly dangerous), so there's action throughout the book and the pacing felt perfect as well!
Religious undertones.
I was honestly a bit worried when I realized that this book had some religious undertones. As a Christian, those can be hit or miss for me (sometimes religion can be portrayed pretty poorly). But Gray manages to explore religious themes and the concept of religion without giving "right or wrong" answers and without making any one viewpoint look bad. She shows us good and bad sides to religion and she portrays a main character who isn't quite sure what she believes---she's searching for truth and for her own understanding of a religion that's been "given" to her. I think many people can relate to that concept. But, don't worry, if you don't like religious themes at all the book is very light on them---they're definitely there, but they don't overwhelm the plot in any way, shape or form, and they can pretty much be ignored if you prefer it that way.
What Left Me Hungry for More:
???
I can't think of a single thing. I'm sure there must have been something I didn't love, but if there was, it was completely overshadowed by the awesomeness.
With its amazingly complex characters, intense action, surprising twists and beautiful storytelling, Defy the Stars is a book you don't want to miss! I can't wait to read more Claudia Gray now---I've apparently been missing out!
This book gets 5/5 stars and I'm (somewhat hesitantly---only because it's the first in a series) dubbing it an All-Time Favorite.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
blueleaves's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.75
livinliterary's review against another edition
4.0
This book did not disappoint. Gray writing just pulls you in. You can tell she puts heart and soul into her writing and is deep into the story in her mind. And an awesome story it is.
snrkville's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.0