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jentrythelibrarian's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
spacewhombus's review
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
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
4.0
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this one! It was a relatively quick detective mystery story, with a super cool setting on a futuristic colony built around Jupiter and with queer women main characters.
I was expecting it to be more hard sci-fi or thriller vibes, which is actually why I put it off for so long and specifically chose to read it in October, lol. However, it was actually really cozy to read and I got completely wrapped up in the setting! It gave me even some academia vibes due to the involvement of the university Pleiti works at, so it was perfect for fall. The mystery was interesting and kept me hooked but it was definitely not a fast-paced thriller, which was perfect for me!
I also really liked the dynamics between Mossa and Pleiti as they worked together to solve the mystery and also navigated coming back into each others' lives. Their romance was not the main focus of this story, which I also appreciated as I am not a huge fan of pure romance novels.
Overall this was a quick and cozy mystery with interesting queer characters and cozy vibes, so if that sounds like your style then give it a try! I would definitely pick up the next books from this author in this series!
I really enjoyed this one! It was a relatively quick detective mystery story, with a super cool setting on a futuristic colony built around Jupiter and with queer women main characters.
I was expecting it to be more hard sci-fi or thriller vibes, which is actually why I put it off for so long and specifically chose to read it in October, lol. However, it was actually really cozy to read and I got completely wrapped up in the setting! It gave me even some academia vibes due to the involvement of the university Pleiti works at, so it was perfect for fall. The mystery was interesting and kept me hooked but it was definitely not a fast-paced thriller, which was perfect for me!
I also really liked the dynamics between Mossa and Pleiti as they worked together to solve the mystery and also navigated coming back into each others' lives. Their romance was not the main focus of this story, which I also appreciated as I am not a huge fan of pure romance novels.
Overall this was a quick and cozy mystery with interesting queer characters and cozy vibes, so if that sounds like your style then give it a try! I would definitely pick up the next books from this author in this series!
allisonwonderlandreads's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
In The Mimicking of Known Successes, Mossa is stuck going five hours by rail to investigate a likely suicide at a remote stop. The case is strange, and it calls on Mossa to somewhat reluctantly seek out Professor Pleiti, her one-time friend from their student days, for assistance. Now Pleiti works at that same university they once called home, and it seems one of her colleagues (a not particularly well-liked one) is the subject of Mossa's investigation. Both Pleiti and the man in question work/ed in the Classics department, which in this context is the study of natural life on Earth, a distant memory to the people on Giant. Since Earth was destroyed by human habitation, destruction, etc., humanity must now live on the rings of Jupiter (Giant) on platforms connected by railway. Classics professors have the important job of figuring out how life could someday repopulate Earth, a tricky project of paramount importance that relies on an army of specialists to research and theorize. The story has necessarily prominent academia vibes, and it was all the more fun and clever to see that aesthetic in the context of science fiction rather than the more common historical or fantastical bent.
Of equal importance to the mystery at hand is the second chance sapphic romance between Mossa and Pleiti. You can expect enjoyable moments where they fret over each other, re: danger and harm. I've also decided after this read that curing someone's hanger with scones is one of the cutest love languages. The method of storytelling makes the romance plot even more interesting. Only the prologue is from Mossa's point of view. Otherwise, we hear from Pleiti as she tries to process having Mossa back in her life and what it means. We only learn about the past details of their relationship in bits, and time and nostalgia on Pleiti's part make the consideration of what once went wrong between them a matter of reflection rather than angst. We're largely left to wonder how Mossa's dealing with it all since she's not a very emotive person. It puts us in the same boat as Pleiti, trying to untangle everything with little encouragement.
The plot is fast-paced, suiting the short length of the story. It's good news because I hate to see things drawn out unnecessarily so they defeat their own purpose. On the other hand, the trade-off is that I'm not quite committed to Mossa and Pleiti yet-- but in a way that's open to more convincing. I do like the two as an investigative team. While Pleiti casts herself as a bit of a Watson, Mossa sees her for the intelligent, valuable creature she is, so it doesn't have the same power imbalance that can be stifling.
The book ends on an intriguing note regarding what's next for the world at large, and I would like to understand more of it. Thanks to Tor for my copy to read and review!
Of equal importance to the mystery at hand is the second chance sapphic romance between Mossa and Pleiti. You can expect enjoyable moments where they fret over each other, re: danger and harm. I've also decided after this read that curing someone's hanger with scones is one of the cutest love languages. The method of storytelling makes the romance plot even more interesting. Only the prologue is from Mossa's point of view. Otherwise, we hear from Pleiti as she tries to process having Mossa back in her life and what it means. We only learn about the past details of their relationship in bits, and time and nostalgia on Pleiti's part make the consideration of what once went wrong between them a matter of reflection rather than angst. We're largely left to wonder how Mossa's dealing with it all since she's not a very emotive person. It puts us in the same boat as Pleiti, trying to untangle everything with little encouragement.
The plot is fast-paced, suiting the short length of the story. It's good news because I hate to see things drawn out unnecessarily so they defeat their own purpose. On the other hand, the trade-off is that I'm not quite committed to Mossa and Pleiti yet-- but in a way that's open to more convincing. I do like the two as an investigative team. While Pleiti casts herself as a bit of a Watson, Mossa sees her for the intelligent, valuable creature she is, so it doesn't have the same power imbalance that can be stifling.
The book ends on an intriguing note regarding what's next for the world at large, and I would like to understand more of it. Thanks to Tor for my copy to read and review!
ml3barr's review against another edition
The murder mystery isn't cozy, the romance isn't charged or engaging, everything is just boring. Mossa came in and coopted Pleiti into helping her investigation, and Pleiti is following like some schoolgirl who quickly forgot the history she has with Mossa. The author wants me to believe they were in love once but there's no pain or cause for concern that Mossa just reappeared after so long, no anger or resentment. It just seems like Pleiti never changed in Mossa's absence, and instead got drawn into this investigation that feels drawn out despite the shortness of the book. Pleiti doesn't seem like a character, Mossa's flaws are on full display, and I'm not invested. I also have no reason to believe that this is happening on Jupiter... everything is so old-timey and there seems to be no reason for it
donnaratcliff's review against another edition
4.0
A mystery set on Jupiter being investigated by two women, with a definite Holmes and Watson vibe to them, and a dollop of sapphic romance thrown in…..yes please! I thoroughly enjoyed this and really hope we get more of Mossa & Pleiti soon.
0ri's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
jcinf's review against another edition
I just found myself not really caring about the characters or the plot.
I was disappointed because I’ve been getting into *light* sci-fi. So that + murder mystery + sapphic sounded great. But I just couldn’t get into it.
I was disappointed because I’ve been getting into *light* sci-fi. So that + murder mystery + sapphic sounded great. But I just couldn’t get into it.
amberacks12's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Just a delightful romp of a mystery with an unusual setting on a gas giant planet where humanity has made its new home. I liked the twist on the Sherlock/Watson trope and the discussions surrounding climate science, though the details kinda went over my head.
It was a fun time, and I’m glad it’s seems like it’s now a series, because I didn’t get nearly as much time as I wanted in this futuristic world.
Writing style:3.5
Enjoyment: 4
Emotional impact: 3
Educational value: 3.5
=3.5
It was a fun time, and I’m glad it’s seems like it’s now a series, because I didn’t get nearly as much time as I wanted in this futuristic world.
Writing style:3.5
Enjoyment: 4
Emotional impact: 3
Educational value: 3.5
=3.5
pumpkin_am's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
1717evelyn1717's review
adventurous
mysterious
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
4.0