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annemaries_shelves's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? No
4.0
This was the perfect read to keep me distracted on a 4-5 hour flight!
It's cute, cozy, and with the right amount of action/plot to keep me engaged. I liked our main characters (siblings, with the narrator being non-binary) and especially their cute orange cat, Pumpkin. Imagine a cat in a space suit - how cute is that?! More cats in space, please!
The world-building was cool - space archaeology for the win - but I wish it there was more of it. Another novel set in this universe would be most welcomed by me.
And finally - I did tear up at the realization of what the last stand/last gifts were towards the end - which was helpful in such a dry airplane!
CW: References to a deadname, parental death, and other deaths/violence, and explorations of grief
It's cute, cozy, and with the right amount of action/plot to keep me engaged. I liked our main characters (siblings, with the narrator being non-binary) and especially their cute orange cat, Pumpkin. Imagine a cat in a space suit - how cute is that?! More cats in space, please!
The world-building was cool - space archaeology for the win - but I wish it there was more of it. Another novel set in this universe would be most welcomed by me.
And finally - I did tear up at the realization of what the last stand/last gifts were towards the end - which was helpful in such a dry airplane!
CW: References to a deadname, parental death, and other deaths/violence, and explorations of grief
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, Grief, and Death of parent
youngflanoflargefortune's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
krispyaustin's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
“I hope you one day recognize grief’s beauty, learn to live with the shadows, to understand that the only reason they could be so dark is because they were cast by so much light.” I just finished a book and this just feels very appropriate to me right now and what has happened recently in my life. This brings me comfort that I didn’t know I needed.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
anna_fangirling's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Deadnaming
safiqa's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Wonderful, thoughtful, lovely read! Some parts were slow, some parts were fast. I appreciated the flow. Though I found myself craving to know more backstory with certain characters and more depth to the themes/discoveries.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
blewballoon's review
adventurous
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
5.0
I wonder if this author has played the game Outer Wilds, because this book explores similar existential questions through the same medium of space exploration. I highly recommend both the book and the game. If you don't play video games, I suggest watching a thorough play through for the story. I would also recommend A Psalm for the Wild-Built and The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet as similar books to this one.
It's so much harder for me to talk about books I enjoy or that reach a deeper part of me, because when that happens I don't leave the book with a lot of specifics. I feel like a part of me was seen or shifted, and after I've finished I can't always pinpoint where it was along the journey that it happened. If I can pinpoint or articulate it, I don't want to spoil the discovery for the potential reader. In this case, it's a bit of both. I have an idea of what parts really got me, but I don't want to ruin the impact of those parts for anyone else.
That being said, for those who don't mind a big spoiler and are wondering about the cat on the cover:The cat doesn't die!
It's so much harder for me to talk about books I enjoy or that reach a deeper part of me, because when that happens I don't leave the book with a lot of specifics. I feel like a part of me was seen or shifted, and after I've finished I can't always pinpoint where it was along the journey that it happened. If I can pinpoint or articulate it, I don't want to spoil the discovery for the potential reader. In this case, it's a bit of both. I have an idea of what parts really got me, but I don't want to ruin the impact of those parts for anyone else.
That being said, for those who don't mind a big spoiler and are wondering about the cat on the cover:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Terminal illness and Medical content
Minor: Cursing, Deadnaming, and Injury/Injury detail
ashyq's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I found this book very endearing. I loved the space cat companion and the messages the author was trying to get across.
There were a few plot holes and world building holes that left me wishing the book was a bit longer to flesh those pieces out. But I still enjoyed it for what it was.
There were a few plot holes and world building holes that left me wishing the book was a bit longer to flesh those pieces out. But I still enjoyed it for what it was.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Terminal illness
shesreadingagain_'s review
adventurous
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
meremeth's review against another edition
2.5
Hm. Some powerful moments, and some confusing ones. I expected this to be a cosy low stakes story! No it is not! It's quite stressful at times lol.
The pacing is a little weird, it feels hard to settle into because it goes from zero to a hundred and back to zero repeatedly.
Characters kept pointing out holes in the main characters logic, and the main character agrees.. then ploughs along anyway ?
It's hard not to dislike the main character, they are often mean and headstrong. But it doesn't feel like they go on much of a journey of growth (just acceptance).
Other than that, I did enjoy the world building and the premise. Imagining the little space adventure cat was cute too. There were some really touching moments in there.
The pacing is a little weird, it feels hard to settle into because it goes from zero to a hundred and back to zero repeatedly.
Characters kept pointing out holes in the main characters logic, and the main character agrees.. then ploughs along anyway ?
It's hard not to dislike the main character, they are often mean and headstrong. But it doesn't feel like they go on much of a journey of growth (just acceptance).
Other than that, I did enjoy the world building and the premise. Imagining the little space adventure cat was cute too. There were some really touching moments in there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Deadnaming
inamerata's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
4.0
Gentle, contemplative, and made me tear up toward the end. It can be a little silly, but the sincerity makes it work. It's a nice complement to a low, overwhelmed mood, when you need a little rest and recognition before you can pick yourself up and keep going despite the lack of clear answers.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Deadnaming