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booksandteatime's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Moderate: Blood, Suicide attempt, Violence, and Vomit
kappafrog's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
The worldbuilding was really flimsy, which was really surprising since the worldbuilding in Infomocracy by the same author had been so interesting and a big appeal of the book. It made no sense that humanity had settled on a gas giant instead of one of Jupiter's many moons. I felt like the author had an image and a vibe she started with of people on platforms in the misty gases of Jupiter, but it didn't pan out into worldbuilding that made any sense. We got no sense of the government, any justice system outside of these romantic but unrealistic lone wolf Investigators, or even the extent of the population. Were there different languages, cultures, etc? None of this was explored and left the world feeling like an empty stage for the two main characters to zoom around. The characters have to wear "atomscarfs" to protect them from the atmosphere even though they live in a mostly climate-controlled bubble. The extinction of all Earth animals and plants is a major plot point in the book, but there are pigeons and cats mentioned in passing, who aren't wearing atomscarfs, so the purpose of the atomspheric protection gear is rendered moot at the same time as one of the biggest plot points is casually undercut. The role of misogyny in the world was unclear, with some vague references to it still being a factor in this far-future world (for no clear reason) and cringeworthy repetition of internet-speak like "Why are men" as a response.
The plot also had a lot of problems. The
All in all, a really disappointing showing from an author who I think is capable of much better. There is nothing to recommend about this book beyond the cool prologue. It felt like a sketch of ideas the author thought would be cool but didn't make any sense when put together.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Blood, Toxic relationship, Murder, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Violence, and Police brutality
Minor: Misogyny, Vomit, and Medical content
devynreadsnovels's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Moderate: Blood, Colonisation, Violence, Medical content, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
erebus53's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It is, for all that, a Holmesian mystery trope, with a gifted and socially inept savant investigator and her smart-but-not-too-smart counterpart being the conversation partner and someone to bounce ideas off of.
The relationship between the two is not without its flaws. Both women are focused on their own goals, while being more and more captivated by each other, but they aren't always great at communicating their plans or trusting each other enough to be forthright about.. ok.. anything.
The science fiction leans a bit hard on the fiction and is a little spare on the science. Some of the sciencey bits I have seen done better in other places (*cough* Neal Stephenson *cough*) and bits of it I find contrast with the approach of other stories that keep a genetic record of Terran biodiversity. It's cute though, and is some futuristic world-building which forms a comfy backdrop for the human story.
I think it's also got the right pace.. if it was longer, I probably wouldn't be as interested in finding a copy of the next one in the series.
Graphic: Violence, Torture, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Moderate: Colonisation and Confinement
thereaderfriend's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Graphic: Gore, Blood, Confinement, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
beccaand's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Suicide
valjeanval's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Murder, Violence, and Death
city_girl_writer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Blood and Murder
Minor: Suicide
annemaries_shelves's review against another edition
- 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
The mystery worked really well within the confines of the novella length - it had just enough clues to keep you guessing but wasn't overly complicated or drawn out. I think I need to seek out more shorter mysteries because they work well with my patience levels for getting to the resolution.
My favourite part was the world-building - the concept of building settlements on Jupiter is fascinating and I loved every detail that was revealed through the 170 pages. I want more!
Mossa and Pleiti were adorable, but I wish there were more Mossa POV chapters than just the Prologue. I think it would've felt more balanced that way. And the romance is very slow-burn - there's not a lot happening on that front aside from re-emergence of feelings/pining. I wouldn't call it a romance book - just a romantic sub-plot.
The writing was nice too and the author had a fancier and well-placed vocabulary overall. Perhaps to reflect the academic Pleiti and the hyper-intelligent Investigator Mossa...? or just her own incredible intelligence as an author.
I would absolutely want to read more in this world, and Infomocracy (which I recall the hype when it was published) has moved up my tbr list a bit now.
Moderate: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
schnaucl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Setting the story on Jupiter was an interesting choice, and I liked the Classical studies and the mauzooleum.
Minor: Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Suicide