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willowwraithpress's review
5.0
I was lucky enough to read an early version, and I can honestly say as an avid SFF reader, you are in for a treat with this book.
If there is one way to describe City of Shattered Light, it is with two simple words: tension rocket. The pace of this story is so breakneck, you're barely allowed to breathe, when you get said breath, you're aching for more. None of the world-building and plot arcs fall under this intense rush to the climax, in fact, you're almost wishing for more by the time you get there. It's just so jam packed with fun scenes, it's a wonder how they all fit in.
This neon-soaked space colony is oozing with underground bravado and spectacle, that it almost feels straight from the mind of Phillip K. Dick but with a modern bass-thumping vibe. Then throw in some very relatable characters with competing motivations (including a sharpshooting wannabe cowboy), a heist that has the potential to go seriously wrong, some weird-ass alien tech, and one of the baddest bubblegum snapping cyborgs ever seen on page, and you'd still not be able to describe everything this book has, well without spoiling everything.
It also helps when the author has a flair for the written word. Such as knowing how to weave a scene that you feel smack dab in the middle, feeling everything happen around, the bullets flying by, the pulse of synthesizers. Riven and Asa (the two main points of view) feel and read like genuine people, with flaws and goals. The way the pair are written makes you, as the reader, root for them all the more to get through this crazy speed racer story, while also grumbling in anticipation for them to finally buck up and kiss already. Added to that are some intense, action-packed scenes that make you wanna throw the book across the room, only to pick it straight back up and figure out how the heck the crew are gonna get out of those situations...
All I can say is that I cannot wait for this crew of misfits' adventure be read by everyone. It's a thrill ride and then some!
If there is one way to describe City of Shattered Light, it is with two simple words: tension rocket. The pace of this story is so breakneck, you're barely allowed to breathe, when you get said breath, you're aching for more. None of the world-building and plot arcs fall under this intense rush to the climax, in fact, you're almost wishing for more by the time you get there. It's just so jam packed with fun scenes, it's a wonder how they all fit in.
This neon-soaked space colony is oozing with underground bravado and spectacle, that it almost feels straight from the mind of Phillip K. Dick but with a modern bass-thumping vibe. Then throw in some very relatable characters with competing motivations (including a sharpshooting wannabe cowboy), a heist that has the potential to go seriously wrong, some weird-ass alien tech, and one of the baddest bubblegum snapping cyborgs ever seen on page, and you'd still not be able to describe everything this book has, well without spoiling everything.
It also helps when the author has a flair for the written word. Such as knowing how to weave a scene that you feel smack dab in the middle, feeling everything happen around, the bullets flying by, the pulse of synthesizers. Riven and Asa (the two main points of view) feel and read like genuine people, with flaws and goals. The way the pair are written makes you, as the reader, root for them all the more to get through this crazy speed racer story, while also grumbling in anticipation for them to finally buck up and kiss already. Added to that are some intense, action-packed scenes that make you wanna throw the book across the room, only to pick it straight back up and figure out how the heck the crew are gonna get out of those situations...
All I can say is that I cannot wait for this crew of misfits' adventure be read by everyone. It's a thrill ride and then some!
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review
4.0
4/5
Yay! My first Sci-Fi for this year. I completely forgot how I came across this book but I loved the world building and Asa. The reason why I gave it 4 stars is because I felt like some things were underdeveloped and thought that there should have been more backstories to some of the characters. Odd side note, every time I see Riven on the cover I can’t help but think she’s Elsa.
Yay! My first Sci-Fi for this year. I completely forgot how I came across this book but I loved the world building and Asa. The reason why I gave it 4 stars is because I felt like some things were underdeveloped and thought that there should have been more backstories to some of the characters. Odd side note, every time I see Riven on the cover I can’t help but think she’s Elsa.
helynalc's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
lvjysunday's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
5.0
msrae89's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
For a fast paced book, this took me a while to get through. Everything about this book, for me, was just okay. The characters were annoying at times, attempt at a romance and love triangle was awkward, and the writing was forgettable. Like, there aren’t standout moments or lines that will stick with me.
foenx's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
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
4.5
The world building is probably my favorite part of the books, it just has such a fun setting.
jane_kelsey's review
1.0
I read to for enjoyement, and sadly I did not enjoy this book one iota. The writing just did not work for me, it was confusing and the characters didn't just lacked depth, they were confusing and their introduction left me feel... confused (again).I feel the characters were created with the idea to be unique, but not because there's depth there, but more to be.... different. The romantic relationship wasn't even romantic as it lacked chemistry.
Sadly, this book left me just generally confused and not know what's going on whilst reading it..
Sadly, this book left me just generally confused and not know what's going on whilst reading it..
cheeny's review
The writing was so all over the place, I couldn't keep track of it all.
jaybirder's review
adventurous
emotional
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
3.75
Great read with some bumps in the road. For a world so grounded in technical advancement, AIs, etc., I found the use of technology and its limitations to be very scatttershot. The main characters fight an opponent who, without too many spoilers, takes over technology, but very much at the speed of plot. It’s both seemingly everywhere at once, giving people a sense of paranoia, but also oddly constrained at times that I felt wasn’t fully explained by certain reveals later in the book.
The romance was also all over the place. The main character’s romance is a slow-burn that takes most of the book to come to fruition, without all that much payoff. A different romance takes most of the focus of the book, which; while nicely showing one of the protagonists bisexuality, not often portrayed in these stories, meant that both romantic storylines felt odd and “off” in their pacing.
Still very much enjoyed the story and the world built so far, and look forward to (hopefully) more to come in this world.
The romance was also all over the place. The main character’s romance is a slow-burn that takes most of the book to come to fruition, without all that much payoff. A different romance takes most of the focus of the book, which; while nicely showing one of the protagonists bisexuality, not often portrayed in these stories, meant that both romantic storylines felt odd and “off” in their pacing.
Still very much enjoyed the story and the world built so far, and look forward to (hopefully) more to come in this world.