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hollyn_middle's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
mad_about_books's review against another edition
5.0
Stina Leicht is the quintessential science fiction author for the 21st century. Classical sci-fi readers have been reading about the 21st century and beyond since the 18th century. Today's reality has far outdistanced the concepts put forth even by some of the greats. Leicht writes of a time in the future where it is no longer necessary to explain personal pronoun preferences; they are a fait accompli. Yet, there still exists the us and them mentality we experience daily. In the case of LOKI'S RING, there are the humans that eschew AI in any form (acting much like the right in today's world), and there are the inclusive (much like today's left) who have embraced AGIs (Artificial General Intelligences) as full citizens.
Speculative fiction is the perfect vehicle to provide perspective on the politics of the time in which it is written. As I enjoyed the interplay between diverse characters, I couldn't help but notice the humanity of the AGIs in their interactions with their flesh and blood cohorts and the often inhumanity of those who rejected the AGIs. At its heart, LOKI'S RING falls somewhere in between hard and soft science fiction. It does, however, pack a page turning punch as the two factions come face to face over rights to an alien-made artificial solar system. No allegory of our time would be complete without a devastating disease that kills those afflicted in a most horrific way.
A good novel should provide escape from the mundane, make the reader think, and evoke an emotional response. LOKI'S RING does all of this and more.
[PS: do NOT skip the Acknowledgments pages. They are the best [insert your favorite expletive here] Acknowledgments pages I have EVER read!]
Speculative fiction is the perfect vehicle to provide perspective on the politics of the time in which it is written. As I enjoyed the interplay between diverse characters, I couldn't help but notice the humanity of the AGIs in their interactions with their flesh and blood cohorts and the often inhumanity of those who rejected the AGIs. At its heart, LOKI'S RING falls somewhere in between hard and soft science fiction. It does, however, pack a page turning punch as the two factions come face to face over rights to an alien-made artificial solar system. No allegory of our time would be complete without a devastating disease that kills those afflicted in a most horrific way.
A good novel should provide escape from the mundane, make the reader think, and evoke an emotional response. LOKI'S RING does all of this and more.
[PS: do NOT skip the Acknowledgments pages. They are the best [insert your favorite expletive here] Acknowledgments pages I have EVER read!]
caseymac's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
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? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Gore
Moderate: Violence, Xenophobia, and War
talon1010's review against another edition
(ad hoc, I'll clean this up later)
Somewhat paradoxical: leans on standard scifi tropes and initialisms without explanation, as though intended for the veteran sff audience– not, perhaps, the best way to be in the first place– while also bearing some considerable scientific oversights, especially regarding AI, upon which the story hinges.
The characters feel unimaginably flat, with various interpersonal identities pasted onto otherwise exceptionally bland and flat characters. Everyone is a badass space hero who does what they want, amid myriad disabilities and a world which supposed that the only right way to do things is by bureaucracy.
Cartoonish modern details are included, with a 50/50 chance of it being "an ancient saying", or an unacknowledged trope.
Somewhat paradoxical: leans on standard scifi tropes and initialisms without explanation, as though intended for the veteran sff audience– not, perhaps, the best way to be in the first place– while also bearing some considerable scientific oversights, especially regarding AI, upon which the story hinges.
The characters feel unimaginably flat, with various interpersonal identities pasted onto otherwise exceptionally bland and flat characters. Everyone is a badass space hero who does what they want, amid myriad disabilities and a world which supposed that the only right way to do things is by bureaucracy.
Cartoonish modern details are included, with a 50/50 chance of it being "an ancient saying", or an unacknowledged trope.
sydneyraereads's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
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? Yes
3.5
maeveamelia's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
3.0
thereviewbooth's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? Yes
4.5
It wasn’t until 38% through that my brain clicked with what the Ring must look like – if you played Halo then some of the descriptions will be familiar. The purpose of this ring world is different though and it has a unique way of utilizing whatever happens to come its way. I would have loved more time spent with characters that found themselves unfortunately on Loki’s Ring, but I understand why it would prove a little difficult. Maybe more time spent with Ri’s viewpoint? I really loved the cast of characters, especially Aoifa and Ibis… but I REALLY loved Grimm. I’d also settle for a collar like his for each of my cats, I think. The societal structuring around AI hits a little closer to home with all the buzz going around about it and while we’re not there yet I do believe that it will be inevitable. The AI hosting was something I hadn’t encountered before and I enjoyed the context. Again, it reminded me a little of Halo but only with Dr. Halsey & Cortana, even though she’s a clone, not grown.
Some sections of the book felt jumpy as far as the timeline. Even though this book is long, it didn’t really feel that way. I think that it could’ve benefitted from more timeline massaging to make it seem more like a natural progression instead of seeing chapters end and then the characters be suddenly somewhere else.
I am fairly certain that like Persephone Station, this book is a stand-alone, but I could definitely see a second book if the author chose to write one. I would love to learn more about the ring itself, Mother and Gita’s role in the future. I would love to thank Saga Press for reaching out with this one – I enjoyed it as much as her last space opera. I will continue to be on the look out for space books from Stina Leicht. All opinions are my own.
quietnyx's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Of the 500 odd pages, plot only happens in the last 150. Leicht has way of writing interesting worlds which is what kept me hooked, but this book was a drawn out road trip back and forth across the universe with no real stakes because everything gets wrapped up quickly. As a reader I struggled to connect with the many cliche POV characters; the AI character, who arguably had the most interesting plot line of being stranded on a alien planet, had one chapter and when we finally come back to her all the interesting stuff has to be told to us through monologue.
jasper_is_atypical's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
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
3.0
beesarenotflies's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
I bought this book because the cover art was phenomenal and the idea of a space opera with a majority entire queer cast sounded right up my alley. Unfortunately, this book did not live up to my expectations. It's tough to rate this book poorly because the world building has so much promise, but I feel like it needed much more editing. The chapters were entirely too long. Technically, I guess a lot did happen plot wise but the book FELT like watching paint dry. Moreover, the brief sections that were truly interesting were so short. Taking it from almost 500 pages to about 300 would probably have improved the pacing and gotten rid of the dead weight bogging it down. At minimum this novel needed fewer pages of dull logistical discussions and half hearted banter.
I didn't make an emotional connection with a single character. None of them felt distinctive or fully developed. They were like cardboard cutouts with diverse ethnicities/genders/sexulaities pasted on for show. The dialogue at times felt like teenagers and not the 40 year olds they all are. The big Conflict™️ between Karter and Gita was anticlimactic both in content and resolution. Gita, the alleged main character spends 90% of the time being anxious and neurotic in her head and I STILL feel like the reader can't really get to know or connect with her. That's a shame.
It pains me to negatively review this book , but after the long slog to finish it, the only thing I still like about it is the cover. (Truly gorgeous)
I didn't make an emotional connection with a single character. None of them felt distinctive or fully developed. They were like cardboard cutouts with diverse ethnicities/genders/sexulaities pasted on for show. The dialogue at times felt like teenagers and not the 40 year olds they all are. The big Conflict™️ between Karter and Gita was anticlimactic both in content and resolution. Gita, the alleged main character spends 90% of the time being anxious and neurotic in her head and I STILL feel like the reader can't really get to know or connect with her. That's a shame.
It pains me to negatively review this book , but after the long slog to finish it, the only thing I still like about it is the cover. (Truly gorgeous)