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fierygecko's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This book is very different than the Apollo Murders, and even more tense but it takes longer to build up, and you’re in the dark about the overall plot of the book for longer too. If you’re a little patient, the payoff is worth it. I liked having Kaz return as the main character and seeing how his relationships have developed over the past eight months. I genuinely feared for his life near the end. The politics of this book are a bit more complicated - it’s not just NASA and the US government involved this time. But he does a great job of setting the scene keeping you hooked with these short, cinematic chapters that show you just enough to follow the plot but not enough to understand it right away.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Murder, and Death
Moderate: War
memoirsofabooknerd's review
adventurous
informative
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Murder
eternallibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
I remember reading The Apollo Murders when it came out and thinking 'this isn't the kind of book I normally read but I like Chris Hadfield so I'll give it a go' and then deeply enjoying it. So I went into its follow up expecting more of the kinds of things I loved about The Apollo Murders - a quick, interesting plot and lots and lots of little details that can only come from someone who is very familiar with their subject material. These were definitely delivered - I really enjoyed all the technical details and the verisimilitude of the pilots and astronauts and cosmonauts. However the plot didn't grip me as much. This could be a matter of taste - I'm not a big fan of realistic war-type stories. I found the beginning especially hard to get into, but reading further I got more caught up in the story. The breakneck pace of the final conflict and resolution too made me speed through the end. Even though it's not the kind of story I'd normally pick up on its own, Hadfield's writing is engaging and really expertly crafted.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Violence, Death, Gun violence, and Murder
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
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