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3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
I enjoyed this, I'd read a sequel for sure. The locked room mystery may be solved but what happens next for our protags?
I like the setting and the universe created for this book, but I’m not sure it quite pulls its weight as a murder mystery. If you’re coming at it as a crime aficionado you may be disappointed. Space opera fans will get a lot out of it (despite the author’s claim in the afterword!), however. There’s plenty of spaceship action, an interesting and unusual alien race, plus a nicely ambiguous ending.
A complete change of pace and scene from the Rosewater books, but maintaining their quality.
A complete change of pace and scene from the Rosewater books, but maintaining their quality.
The AI won’t fail. That’s why it’s in charge. And so begins this space mystery - yes, it’s a mystery, not your typical sci-fi/space travel story. I enjoyed the character development and have a delightfully vague comprehension of the “alien” species in the story (as is usual for me with any, even light sci-fi). The story is unique and engaging - I’d read more with these characters, but I’m also happy letting their story wrap up here.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Meh. A good premise- a locked-door mystery in a sci-fi world- but it falls a few steps short on execution. The characters and world are interesting, but I don’t think we fully get the exposition that would make them stand out, or make the setting fully understandable and more interesting. I also think that as things progress on the ship, the reader gets less and less explanation.
This might be a narrative style choice, or just a lack of explanation, but either way it’s confusing and makes the whole thing feel disjointed. Especially with the jump in perspective to people not on board the ship, who aren’t well explained, confusion compounds throughout the book.
I was also underwhelmed by the ending. When we finally do get an explanation, it doesn’t really clear up any existing questions, just adds new ones. Mysteries are better when it’s not a completely random agent doing the murder, but someone you actually get to know throughout the book. Plus, we only get an explanation for Brisbane’s motivations, and he’s not even the one truly responsible for any of what happens.
It’s a fine book, but definitely could have been executed better.
This might be a narrative style choice, or just a lack of explanation, but either way it’s confusing and makes the whole thing feel disjointed. Especially with the jump in perspective to people not on board the ship, who aren’t well explained, confusion compounds throughout the book.
I was also underwhelmed by the ending. When we finally do get an explanation, it doesn’t really clear up any existing questions, just adds new ones. Mysteries are better when it’s not a completely random agent doing the murder, but someone you actually get to know throughout the book. Plus, we only get an explanation for Brisbane’s motivations, and he’s not even the one truly responsible for any of what happens.
It’s a fine book, but definitely could have been executed better.
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Didn't finish it.
It started off interesting, however it felt badly written and I found myself looking for other books to read when I should have been reading this.
I got to around 45% completion.
It started off interesting, however it felt badly written and I found myself looking for other books to read when I should have been reading this.
I got to around 45% completion.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
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:
Yes