Scan barcode
theaceofpages's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-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
3.0
It was okay. I absolutely loved the premise (when I saw it I knew I had to read it) and very much enjoyed the world building. The actual story and writing, however, fell a little flat. It took me quite some time to actually get invested in the story (although the start was exciting) and then it only managed to hold my attention in waves. I enjoyed the middle the most and the ending is interesting, but I haven't decided if I'm going to read the second book yet. This book wasn't as gay as I was expecting it to be (I know it's bi representation and all bi relationships are equally valid, but I thought I'd still mention it since some people are specifically interested in wlw relationships and might be a little disappointed. Maybe it picks up in the second book?)
While my rating might not be the highest, I know others will love it so don't let my experience put you off if this sounds like your kind of book.
While my rating might not be the highest, I know others will love it so don't let my experience put you off if this sounds like your kind of book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Kidnapping, and Gun violence
Moderate: Death
sagronaut's review against another edition
adventurous
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Gun violence
Moderate: Child abuse
mar's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
i Do Not want to be mean. but this is the most forgettable book i've read in ages. also absolutely baffled as to why in the m/f/f love triangle the m/f side gets like Infinitely more scenes+development when the f/f side is the Endgame Pairing™️ we're supposed to be rooting for???? hello?????? i don't even mean this in a "it should've been gayer" way i mean it in "it's a bad writing choice" way kjcnvkbj
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, and Violence
Minor: Animal death, Chronic illness, and Terminal illness
morriganivy's review
adventurous
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This book really hits it out the park in a lot ways!
A great setting that feels fleshed out and alive with not too much lore dumping at any point. Supported by some fantastic descriptions that helped paint a vivid picture in your mind.
I really loved Asa as the main character, a great amount of growth happens over the book and it feels pretty natural. While I think more time could have been given to flesh out some of the other characters some more I still found myself enjoying them all. Though Riven, the main love interest, does get on my nevers sometimes which a quick to judge attitude that makes you want to throttle her. Still it never kills any moment of the book and I appricate the author wasn't afraid to make flaws the central part of the characters.
The pacing of the book however, feels a bit off. Things move very fast and I feel like it lost something with that, it didn't feel like we had anytime to just sit and feel the world/characters for a moment. Still I feel the pacing gets much better by the end of the book and I found I could barely put it down. (I also want to note some of the dialologue is stiff at the start but does warm up as it goes on).
One major issue is that a lot is intoduced throughout this book and it doesn't have the time to really go indepth to it all. I understand, once getting to the end, that it is clearly going to be a series. Which makes a lot of sense, things can be explored more in future books, but i think maybe some elements should have been left out to come in future books instead. Just to help with giving each plot thread and hook enough space to itself.
Over all a really fun read and I will be getting future books by Winn!
A great setting that feels fleshed out and alive with not too much lore dumping at any point. Supported by some fantastic descriptions that helped paint a vivid picture in your mind.
I really loved Asa as the main character, a great amount of growth happens over the book and it feels pretty natural. While I think more time could have been given to flesh out some of the other characters some more I still found myself enjoying them all. Though Riven, the main love interest, does get on my nevers sometimes which a quick to judge attitude that makes you want to throttle her. Still it never kills any moment of the book and I appricate the author wasn't afraid to make flaws the central part of the characters.
The pacing of the book however, feels a bit off. Things move very fast and I feel like it lost something with that, it didn't feel like we had anytime to just sit and feel the world/characters for a moment. Still I feel the pacing gets much better by the end of the book and I found I could barely put it down. (I also want to note some of the dialologue is stiff at the start but does warm up as it goes on).
One major issue is that a lot is intoduced throughout this book and it doesn't have the time to really go indepth to it all. I understand, once getting to the end, that it is clearly going to be a series. Which makes a lot of sense, things can be explored more in future books, but i think maybe some elements should have been left out to come in future books instead. Just to help with giving each plot thread and hook enough space to itself.
Over all a really fun read and I will be getting future books by Winn!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, and War
elwirax's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Rep- Two bisexual MCs, POC, mentions of non-binary characters, gay side couple.
"When all the world has burnt, even the ashes feel like home".
The worldbuilding in City of Shattered Light was vivid, the imagery was atmospheric and easy to picture. However, I couldn't really connect with any of the characters, they weren't fully fleshed out and it made it difficult to care for them. They were written to be 17/18 but didn't act as such and I think the characterisation would've made more sense had they been in their early to mid 20s. There was also a love triangle of sorts which I don't enjoy in books and this one didn't really serve a purpose because it wasn't developed in a believable way. In all honesty I didn't care for the romance between Asa and Riven either which was a wee bit dissapointing considering that was the the main reason I picked it up. I didn't think them getting together at the moment they did was appropriate and made me feel bad for the male in the triangle.
Although I wasn't overly invested in individual characters they were very distinct from one another and I appreciated the found family. There's something about people from different walks of life coming together and forming bonds that really makes me happy. They had some good banter which I very much enjoyed and it was clear they cared for each other. As for the ending, I was quite dissapointed. City of Shattered Light was full of action and sometimes jumped from scene to scene which negated from the character's situation. The apparent sacrifice really came out of no where, there was no build up and none of the emotional impact it could have had. It was jarring to say the least especially when even the characters didn't have a drastic reaction. This is where some of the bonds felt loose compared to earlier in the book.
The writing was a a bit juvenile and fanficy at times and the villain was entirely predictable from the beginning. Nonetheless, for a debut it was still enjoyable, easy to get into and therefore, a solid read. Based on the epilogue I assume there may be a continuation in the future which I would definitely consider reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, Blood, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Terminal illness
Minor: Drug abuse, Body horror, Self harm, and Medical trauma
lindsaythelibrarian's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Gun violence
Moderate: Terminal illness, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Toxic relationship
nerdysread's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.5
First of all. Thank you NetGalley and Flux for the digital arc of the book.
This is a great story. First there’s a lot of action. Since chapter one. The characters? They have flaws, and they’re human. And it’s sapphic, and there’s a love triangle without a love triangle… hard to explain
But for the story? Picture a rich heiress running away to save her sister and having to work with a crew of outlaws in a city that would eat her if she was alone. Picture a badass chief that is a better shooter than Lucky Luck. A team that’s clearly a family. Some lgbtq+ characters. Also a rich man who destroys life and unleash a vicious virus in a world of tech.
So you kinda have the story. But it’s better than it sounds. And I think I would totally read a volume two. I don’t want to get rid of the characters. And the feelings I had while reading this book.
So yeah, 400 pages of pure goodness
This is a great story. First there’s a lot of action. Since chapter one. The characters? They have flaws, and they’re human. And it’s sapphic, and there’s a love triangle without a love triangle… hard to explain
But for the story? Picture a rich heiress running away to save her sister and having to work with a crew of outlaws in a city that would eat her if she was alone. Picture a badass chief that is a better shooter than Lucky Luck. A team that’s clearly a family. Some lgbtq+ characters. Also a rich man who destroys life and unleash a vicious virus in a world of tech.
So you kinda have the story. But it’s better than it sounds. And I think I would totally read a volume two. I don’t want to get rid of the characters. And the feelings I had while reading this book.
So yeah, 400 pages of pure goodness
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Death
Minor: Alcohol and Drug use
melaniereadsbooks's review
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thank you to Netgalley and Flux Books for an arc of this book!
Asa has lived a cushy life--but everything changes for her when her father's experiments put her sister in danger. Meanwhile, Riven is scraping by--and needs a big bounty to save her and her crew. When Asa runs away to save her sister, she teams up with Riven's crew--and the stakes might be bigger than they expect.
I loved this book! After about 5 chapters the action starts going hard and doesn't stop for the rest of the book. So much happens with these disaster girls and their friends! I loved the plot and the world building with the space and the tech that are included. I couldn't believe how it ended! I need the sequel asap.
I loved watching the relationship between these characters build throughout the book. This romance is definitely a slow-burn, but it is worth it! Loved this!
Asa has lived a cushy life--but everything changes for her when her father's experiments put her sister in danger. Meanwhile, Riven is scraping by--and needs a big bounty to save her and her crew. When Asa runs away to save her sister, she teams up with Riven's crew--and the stakes might be bigger than they expect.
I loved this book! After about 5 chapters the action starts going hard and doesn't stop for the rest of the book. So much happens with these disaster girls and their friends! I loved the plot and the world building with the space and the tech that are included. I couldn't believe how it ended! I need the sequel asap.
I loved watching the relationship between these characters build throughout the book. This romance is definitely a slow-burn, but it is worth it! Loved this!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gun violence, Violence, Gore, Terminal illness, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Moderate: Kidnapping, Alcohol, and Suicidal thoughts
amivireads's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Thank you Netgalley for an arc, here’s my honest review.
3 stars
This was an alright book, I didn’t hate it nor did I love it. I liked the characters and found them believable, but the romance was very weak.
The plot twist wasn’t that surprising as well, halfway through the book I figured it out and was rather disappointed by it.
People who enjoy sci-fi will like this more than than me, this isn’t the genre I typically read.
3 stars
This was an alright book, I didn’t hate it nor did I love it. I liked the characters and found them believable, but the romance was very weak.
The plot twist wasn’t that surprising as well, halfway through the book I figured it out and was rather disappointed by it.
People who enjoy sci-fi will like this more than than me, this isn’t the genre I typically read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Violence
caseythereader's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Thanks to Flux Books for the free advance copy of this book.
- CITY OF SHATTERED LIGHT is chock full of action, adventure, romance, and queerness: what more could you want from your sci-fi novels?!
- Truly though, this one is a great ride. I loved the world of this book and Asa and Riven are both excellent hardheaded protagonists with hearts of gold.
- You know I'm a sucker for queer found family crews doing heists, and this is all that and then some. Love triangle! Chronic illness! Cybernetically enhanced bounty hunters! Rogue AI! A variety of queer identities and no homophobia! Evil technology conglomerate! Oh wow, this turned into a QUEER SCREAMING review, huh?!
- CITY OF SHATTERED LIGHT is chock full of action, adventure, romance, and queerness: what more could you want from your sci-fi novels?!
- Truly though, this one is a great ride. I loved the world of this book and Asa and Riven are both excellent hardheaded protagonists with hearts of gold.
- You know I'm a sucker for queer found family crews doing heists, and this is all that and then some. Love triangle! Chronic illness! Cybernetically enhanced bounty hunters! Rogue AI! A variety of queer identities and no homophobia! Evil technology conglomerate! Oh wow, this turned into a QUEER SCREAMING review, huh?!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse and Sexual content