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spinesinaline's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Confinement
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Murder, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Violence, and Vomit
Minor: War
plumpaperbacks's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
5.0
I went into this expecting a cute space gays story, but got an intense space thriller instead. Eliot Schrefer is an absolute genius, because once the story got going, I never knew what to expect. I became immensely attached to Ambrose and Kodiak right away, and that never faded. These boys stole my heart and I don’t even mind. I love them so much!!!
Their relationship gave me Romitri vibes, which I’m totally cool with, considering that’s one of my all-time favorite ships from one of my all-time favorite series. If Rose was a boy and she and Dimitri were spacefarers, you’d get Ambrose and Kodiak, who’s even from a futuristic version of Russia. Don’t get me wrong, they’re their own people with their own adorable relationship, but in my eyes, the similarities are definitely there.
Science fiction is one of my least read genres, but I absolutely loved this book. I’m torn between wanting to devour all the sci-fi books because I’m craving something similar, and never touching another sci-fi again because nothing could possibly top this. I’m only slightly exaggerating.
While I don’t have any complaints, there was one thing I saw in multiple other reviews that I agree with: this book doesn’t feel like a YA. There wasn’t anything explicit by any means; I’m just talking about the general vibe of the book. Ambrose and Kodiak were 17 at the start, but that was the only thing that distinctly made it YA. They easily could’ve been 25 and this could’ve been a NA or adult novel. With how existential it can be at times, that probably would’ve been more fitting. (I’m not saying YA can’t be existential. I just think this book would’ve made more sense in another age category.)
I can’t say much else because spoilers, and honestly, I think it’s best to go into this story not knowing very much. It’s more impactful that way. What I will say is that, although I was highly concerned up until the last dozen or so pages (this book doesn’t have chapters), I found the ending highly satisfying. My last couple of questions were answered, my boys were mostly okay, and my heart is very happy. Also, I can finally take a deep breath now. I was gasping or holding my breath for most of the book after the first third, because it was just that freaking intense.
All in all, this book was phenomenal! 10/10 would recommend. I’ll be eagerly waiting for Schrefer’s next book, and in the meantime, I’m definitely adding this book to the ever-growing list of books that make up 95% of my personality.
Representation
Their relationship gave me Romitri vibes, which I’m totally cool with, considering that’s one of my all-time favorite ships from one of my all-time favorite series. If Rose was a boy and she and Dimitri were spacefarers, you’d get Ambrose and Kodiak, who’s even from a futuristic version of Russia. Don’t get me wrong, they’re their own people with their own adorable relationship, but in my eyes, the similarities are definitely there.
Science fiction is one of my least read genres, but I absolutely loved this book. I’m torn between wanting to devour all the sci-fi books because I’m craving something similar, and never touching another sci-fi again because nothing could possibly top this. I’m only slightly exaggerating.
While I don’t have any complaints, there was one thing I saw in multiple other reviews that I agree with: this book doesn’t feel like a YA. There wasn’t anything explicit by any means; I’m just talking about the general vibe of the book. Ambrose and Kodiak were 17 at the start, but that was the only thing that distinctly made it YA. They easily could’ve been 25 and this could’ve been a NA or adult novel. With how existential it can be at times, that probably would’ve been more fitting. (I’m not saying YA can’t be existential. I just think this book would’ve made more sense in another age category.)
I can’t say much else because spoilers, and honestly, I think it’s best to go into this story not knowing very much. It’s more impactful that way. What I will say is that, although I was highly concerned up until the last dozen or so pages (this book doesn’t have chapters), I found the ending highly satisfying. My last couple of questions were answered, my boys were mostly okay, and my heart is very happy. Also, I can finally take a deep breath now. I was gasping or holding my breath for most of the book after the first third, because it was just that freaking intense.
All in all, this book was phenomenal! 10/10 would recommend. I’ll be eagerly waiting for Schrefer’s next book, and in the meantime, I’m definitely adding this book to the ever-growing list of books that make up 95% of my personality.
Representation
- pansexual protagonist of color
- gay love interest
- achillean romance (m/m)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Suicide, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Medical content and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content
It’s implied that the characters have sex, but the actual scenes fade to black.serenitycaptain's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, and Vomit
Minor: Medical content, Murder, Sexual content, and Suicide
irisheyz77's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Medical content, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, and Gaslighting
Minor: Sexual content and Cancer
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