Scan barcode
jeannis's review against another edition
inspiring
mysterious
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Chronic illness, Medical trauma, Murder, and Panic attacks/disorders
schnaucl's review against another edition
adventurous
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
I really enjoyed this book. I believe it's a standalone, but I would absolutely read more novels with these compelling characters.
Nearly all the characters introduce themselves with their preferred pronouns, and those that don't are considered exceptionally rude. It's both a little jarring and exactly how you hope it will be in the future. It also makes me wonder if readers in the future will find all the books where people don't do that equally jarring. Insults that are gendered are called out in way I don't typically see, or think about.
The books also deals with socioeconomic class and people who are comfortable who grew up with wealth and people who didn't that reminded me of that line Mad Men's Betty Draper says about Don not understanding money.
I'm not a drinker, but I liked the drink recipes that start each chapter, and Gimlet, is of course, a delight.
Definitely read all of the author's notes at the end.
Nearly all the characters introduce themselves with their preferred pronouns, and those that don't are considered exceptionally rude. It's both a little jarring and exactly how you hope it will be in the future. It also makes me wonder if readers in the future will find all the books where people don't do that equally jarring. Insults that are gendered are called out in way I don't typically see, or think about.
The books also deals with socioeconomic class and people who are comfortable who grew up with wealth and people who didn't that reminded me of that line Mad Men's Betty Draper says about Don not understanding money.
I'm not a drinker, but I liked the drink recipes that start each chapter, and Gimlet, is of course, a delight.
Definitely read all of the author's notes at the end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Classism, Death, Police brutality, and Murder
jupitermond's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Medical trauma, Alcohol, and Murder
Moderate: Police brutality and Medical content
Minor: Kidnapping
lbelow's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
One of the best books I have ever read!
Phenomenal disability rep for a character with agency? Check.
An adorable service dog? Check.
A swoon-worthy love interest? Check.
Interesting world building and futuristic technology that seems grounded in reality? Check.
World building that centers gender-neutral language (joyfriend, spouse) and assumptions (Mx., they) until informed otherwise as part of a naturalized pronoun introduction? Check.
A murder mystery with twists that kept me guessing and turning the pages? Check.
Honestly, this book has it all!
Phenomenal disability rep for a character with agency? Check.
An adorable service dog? Check.
A swoon-worthy love interest? Check.
Interesting world building and futuristic technology that seems grounded in reality? Check.
World building that centers gender-neutral language (joyfriend, spouse) and assumptions (Mx., they) until informed otherwise as part of a naturalized pronoun introduction? Check.
A murder mystery with twists that kept me guessing and turning the pages? Check.
Honestly, this book has it all!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Alcohol, Blood, Violence, Death, Murder, Mental illness, and Kidnapping
Minor: Physical abuse, Ableism, and Sexism
The graphic kidnapping is actuallykatievh's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Death, Murder, Ableism, Violence, and Alcohol
Minor: Classism
astropova's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Loved it! The setting was so cool and the mystery/investigation had so many twists and turns.
Though I was starting to get a little annoyed with Tesla constantly bulldozing over people - like I get that you don't trust the security officers, but you should at least listen to your own retired detective spouse, since knowing how this all works is his literal job. There were so many moments when "very smart" Tesla was missing something important while she was ranting at people. And then she gets self-conscious about not acting "too privileged" - you either do or don't care how you appear, you can't have it both ways. It felt a little disingenuous and annoying, since otherwise she was such a cool character.
Though I was starting to get a little annoyed with Tesla constantly bulldozing over people - like I get that you don't trust the security officers, but you should at least listen to your own retired detective spouse, since knowing how this all works is his literal job. There were so many moments when "very smart" Tesla was missing something important while she was ranting at people. And then she gets self-conscious about not acting "too privileged" - you either do or don't care how you appear, you can't have it both ways. It felt a little disingenuous and annoying, since otherwise she was such a cool character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Murder, Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, and Blood
Minor: Police brutality, Sexual content, Ableism, and Kidnapping
sheepeeh's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, and Sexual content
Minor: Kidnapping
hendrixpants's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Medical trauma
laurareads87's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
I liked The Spare Man, but not as much as the author's Lady Astronaut books which I *really* like. What worked for me was the setting - a multiple-ringed luxury cruise spaceship! - and the way it creates a 'locked room' around the murder mystery. I also liked how Kowal represented a future where sharing pronouns is normalized (and using gender neutral pronouns and honorifics when unknown is the default). I appreciated the representation of disability. What didn't entirely work for me were the characters - many felt rather flat. I thought there was some effective misdirection and a few great twists in the plot, but a few too many brand new elements, some of them rather cliche, were introduced right at the very end to make the mystery work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Alcoholism, Ableism, Sexism, and Classism
Moderate: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
e_flah's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The Spare Man is a murder mystery set on a glamorous interplanetary cruise ship. I loved the rich world Kowal created that brimmed with details like including one's pronouns in an introduction is considered standard and the rich are the only ones with access to food printers in their staterooms but are the ones least likely to eat printed food. The characters were relatable and lovable with believable flaws. The pacing was a bit uneven for me but I overall enjoyed The Spare Man.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, and Murder