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jodar's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
I found this dystopian, science fiction novel of the future disappointing.
It’s a novel of two halves: The first half has a setting of almost Edenic innocence, which the author tries to reinforce through a whimsical tone, rather immature humour and the MC’s crude, adolescent-level sexual attitudes. The first half seems more like a YA rather than adult novel. The second half, which begins with a sort of expulsion from Eden, is much stronger. The MC character learns the truth about the world and his place in it. The tone of the writing is more cutting, albeit lightened from time to time with more of same silly humour. Although in the second part the action is rather melodramatic and the outcomes are quite predictable, it does at least present all the characters with dilemmas to face.
Some interesting themes are explored – friendship, personhood, forgiveness, free will – but for me this is done from a pretty superficial, “progressive” point of view without a lot of nuance. I come away from the story with a feeling of melancholy, moral grubbiness and cosmic brutality.
Addendum: The ebook I read came with a prequel short story, “Reduce! Reuse! Recycle!”, which explores many of the same themes and I thought was more compelling than the novel.
It’s a novel of two halves: The first half has a setting of almost Edenic innocence, which the author tries to reinforce through a whimsical tone, rather immature humour and the MC’s crude, adolescent-level sexual attitudes. The first half seems more like a YA rather than adult novel. The second half, which begins with a sort of expulsion from Eden, is much stronger. The MC character learns the truth about the world and his place in it. The tone of the writing is more cutting, albeit lightened from time to time with more of same silly humour. Although in the second part the action is rather melodramatic and the outcomes are quite predictable, it does at least present all the characters with dilemmas to face.
Some interesting themes are explored – friendship, personhood, forgiveness, free will – but for me this is done from a pretty superficial, “progressive” point of view without a lot of nuance. I come away from the story with a feeling of melancholy, moral grubbiness and cosmic brutality.
Addendum: The ebook I read came with a prequel short story, “Reduce! Reuse! Recycle!”, which explores many of the same themes and I thought was more compelling than the novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Grief, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Sexual content, Confinement, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
jippieyay's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Grief and Panic attacks/disorders
lilo000's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Who would've thought a book about robots would make me think about humanity, sentience, and purpose. This book had great world-building and character development. Definitely touching and makes you root for the underdogs. The humor is also fantastic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Violence
20sidedbi's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Genocide, and Murder
Moderate: Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment
sophie42's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Death, Blood, and Genocide
Moderate: Kidnapping, Violence, and Grief
Minor: Body shaming and Animal death
torturedreadersdept's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Blood, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
exhaustedmumma's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide
Moderate: Death and Grief
Minor: Kidnapping
miriam_franziska's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
4.5
TJ Klune always creates these wonderful, lovable and authentic characters, and I don‘t know how he does it, especially when the characters are not even human.
This book explores humanity in a setting in wich most of the characters are machines and really made me think about the Concept of humanity and what even defines us as human.
At first I was not so much taken in by the idea of the story because it seemed somewhat lame, but as I got closer to the characters and their bonds and the complexity of it all, it really got to me, as much as „Under the wispering door“ did.
This book explores humanity in a setting in wich most of the characters are machines and really made me think about the Concept of humanity and what even defines us as human.
At first I was not so much taken in by the idea of the story because it seemed somewhat lame, but as I got closer to the characters and their bonds and the complexity of it all, it really got to me, as much as „Under the wispering door“ did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Murder
randeerebecca's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-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
5.0
I did not expect to like this book as much as I did because I felt like this author’s other books were good, but nothing to write home about. But this one. I loved it. So many feelings. Wonderful
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Grief, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Confinement and Blood
Minor: Animal death
pastelmeganes's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Genocide, Grief, and Blood