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marikabarth's review
adventurous
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
4.0
Fun sci-fi book with a found family vibe. Plot is one part mystery, one part sports tournament. Focus is on characters coming into themselves and forming together as a team.
literarycavy's review
adventurous
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
4.0
majkia's review against another edition
5.0
A character driven science fiction story, with lots of action and great world-building. Hopeful, and funny, and poignant too.
lettuce_read's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
mweis's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
3.25
I have such conflicting thoughts about this book, and I think a lot of that stems from this book not seeming to have an identity of its own. On the one hand, this is a cozy queer found family in space, but it’s also a military sci-fi/thriller but there’s also a game/trial element, and while those are all elements I love, in the end I just don’t know if it came together well enough for me.
I do love that Wagers is diversifying the genre of military science fiction, but I also question some of the world building elements of this future they’ve created. Like there is apparently world peace, yet the only way non-rich folks can get the life extending science is by working for a corporation or going into the military. And while there is commentary on the faults of capitalism in this world, the role of the military in maintaining this status quo is never challenged. I also found that at times I was struggling to keep interested in both the corporate espionage plot and the Olympic-like Boarding Games. The back and forth felt inconsistent and it threw off the pacing for me. Every time the plot would shift, I would find myself wishing we would stick with the plot we were currently in.
That being said, I did enjoy these characters and their interactions with one another. I’m interested enough in their interpersonal dynamics to continue with the next book, and I’m hoping that future books do a better job of balancing the Games and the other plot.
I do love that Wagers is diversifying the genre of military science fiction, but I also question some of the world building elements of this future they’ve created. Like there is apparently world peace, yet the only way non-rich folks can get the life extending science is by working for a corporation or going into the military. And while there is commentary on the faults of capitalism in this world, the role of the military in maintaining this status quo is never challenged. I also found that at times I was struggling to keep interested in both the corporate espionage plot and the Olympic-like Boarding Games. The back and forth felt inconsistent and it threw off the pacing for me. Every time the plot would shift, I would find myself wishing we would stick with the plot we were currently in.
That being said, I did enjoy these characters and their interactions with one another. I’m interested enough in their interpersonal dynamics to continue with the next book, and I’m hoping that future books do a better job of balancing the Games and the other plot.
micheala's review
4.0
The main reason I picked this book up was it was described as perfect for fans of Becky Chambers - and that is a vibe I'm always hunting for.
I think if what you love about Chambers' is the casually-hopeful view of humanity (after humans have almost destroyed ourselves and have managed to recover), this is a great fit.
Wagers does not have any other sapient species, as well I would say is more plot focused then Chambers is. Most noticeably, while both A Pale Light in the Black and the Wayfarer series are ensemble casts, Chambers does a significantly better job of focusing on the entire cast. Here I would say that Max and Jenks are the main characters, Rosa, Ma and Nik are the side characters and everyone else (including the two other members of the crew) are distant background characters.
I enjoyed most of this, right up until the ending where it started to fall a little flat for me.
I liked watching Max find her place with the crew, how the mystery was unfolding, and how The Games was this threw line. I was disappointed that when we finally got to The Games we didn't get to see the group event. I also think this really suffered from how rushed the ending was. I think we needed another 20-50 pages in the last section to flesh things out and wrap things up. The book literally ends immediately after the climax.
I'm interested to read the next book, but also not in a rush knowing that it takes place at least a year later - based on the ending, I would have loved for the sequel to be set max a few months later.
I think if what you love about Chambers' is the casually-hopeful view of humanity (after humans have almost destroyed ourselves and have managed to recover), this is a great fit.
Wagers does not have any other sapient species, as well I would say is more plot focused then Chambers is. Most noticeably, while both A Pale Light in the Black and the Wayfarer series are ensemble casts, Chambers does a significantly better job of focusing on the entire cast. Here I would say that Max and Jenks are the main characters, Rosa, Ma and Nik are the side characters and everyone else (including the two other members of the crew) are distant background characters.
I enjoyed most of this, right up until the ending where it started to fall a little flat for me.
I liked watching Max find her place with the crew, how the mystery was unfolding, and how The Games was this threw line. I was disappointed that when we finally got to The Games we didn't get to see the group event. I also think this really suffered from how rushed the ending was. I think we needed another 20-50 pages in the last section to flesh things out and wrap things up. The book literally ends immediately after the climax.
I'm interested to read the next book, but also not in a rush knowing that it takes place at least a year later - based on the ending, I would have loved for the sequel to be set max a few months later.
lx2's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Too clunky at times but with a spirit that warms your heart. Will definitely keep reading the series!
crownoflaurel's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- 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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide
Minor: Abandonment, Bullying, Classism, and Trafficking
bookmarkbaddie's review
adventurous
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
3.25