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turrean's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.0
Each of the novels is more tightly plotted and better constructed than the one before. The third novel introduced a great crew of people who, in various ways, inspire Cass to try to find her way to her true self.
Whoever the hell that might be.
Whoever the hell that might be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Gun violence
Moderate: Police brutality, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, and Gore
meemzter's review
4.0
Cas Russell is back and I like her again! After dragging myself through the swamp of a novel that was Null Set, I decided to give this series one more try and I am so glad I did!
Zero Sum Game was a 5-star read for me and at the time I thought it was because of the action-thriller-y plot. But at the end of the day, maybe it was just because of the characters??? And the characters are back in front and center in Critical Point, with the entire book basically being a vehicle for Cas Russell to have emotions and for Arthur/Checker/Pilar to get major development. (AND ARTHUR'S FAMILY! AHHH!)
Not sure if I really consider this series science fiction. Is there a name for like modern-day urban science-paranormal stories?? Here is what I know to be true: the sci-fi stuff in this book is very, very silly. But who cares? This is the story of angry, confused, amoral (but kind of worried about it) BADASS Cassandra Russell figuring out how to interact with humans, grow a conscience, and deal with her feelings - and it's so much fun.
The narration was something I remember really struggling with in Null Set, but here Cas is an incredibly entertaining narrator. Let's face it, she's almost (BUT NOT ACTUALLY) a sociopath, and her perspective on things is often hilarious. I cannot find the quote but her line wondering why she like's Pilar only to remind herself, "Oh yeah, she likes guns" had me in stitches. Her narration of her psychological issues is also used to the book's advantage, as opposed to being its detriment (see: Null Set). For anyone with a year of COVID isolation under their belt, reading about Cas's uncontrollable anxiety, violent mood swings, and overwhelming thoughts: pretty much guaranteed to be relatable.
Cas's emotional journey in this book is pure angsty pleasure. (Deep cut: it reminded me quite a lot of Rachel's journey in my FAVORITE animorphs book - #22, The Solution). Cas is waking up to the fact that she's kind of... well... a monster in some people's eyes. She crosses lines that other people won't cross, and people simultaneously judge her for it and use her for it when it's convenient. I loved seeing her grapple with all those realizations, wondering where her own moral compass points and if it's good enough for her newfound friends.
In short: this book is action-packed emotional fluff in which you get to spend time with this extremely compelling gang of characters. That's not to say the plot is plot-less: there is some stuff related to Pithica, Cas's past, etc., but Cas's internal journey is really what takes center stage here.
I am firmly back on the bandwagon! Looking forward to book 4!
Zero Sum Game was a 5-star read for me and at the time I thought it was because of the action-thriller-y plot. But at the end of the day, maybe it was just because of the characters??? And the characters are back in front and center in Critical Point, with the entire book basically being a vehicle for Cas Russell to have emotions and for Arthur/Checker/Pilar to get major development. (AND ARTHUR'S FAMILY! AHHH!)
Not sure if I really consider this series science fiction. Is there a name for like modern-day urban science-paranormal stories?? Here is what I know to be true: the sci-fi stuff in this book is very, very silly. But who cares? This is the story of angry, confused, amoral (but kind of worried about it) BADASS Cassandra Russell figuring out how to interact with humans, grow a conscience, and deal with her feelings - and it's so much fun.
The narration was something I remember really struggling with in Null Set, but here Cas is an incredibly entertaining narrator. Let's face it, she's almost (BUT NOT ACTUALLY) a sociopath, and her perspective on things is often hilarious. I cannot find the quote but her line wondering why she like's Pilar only to remind herself, "Oh yeah, she likes guns" had me in stitches. Her narration of her psychological issues is also used to the book's advantage, as opposed to being its detriment (see: Null Set). For anyone with a year of COVID isolation under their belt, reading about Cas's uncontrollable anxiety, violent mood swings, and overwhelming thoughts: pretty much guaranteed to be relatable.
Cas's emotional journey in this book is pure angsty pleasure. (Deep cut: it reminded me quite a lot of Rachel's journey in my FAVORITE animorphs book - #22, The Solution). Cas is waking up to the fact that she's kind of... well... a monster in some people's eyes. She crosses lines that other people won't cross, and people simultaneously judge her for it and use her for it when it's convenient. I loved seeing her grapple with all those realizations, wondering where her own moral compass points and if it's good enough for her newfound friends.
In short: this book is action-packed emotional fluff in which you get to spend time with this extremely compelling gang of characters. That's not to say the plot is plot-less: there is some stuff related to Pithica, Cas's past, etc., but Cas's internal journey is really what takes center stage here.
I am firmly back on the bandwagon! Looking forward to book 4!
thogek's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
4.0
aaaugello's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.0
distantplanet's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
bookhookedheather's review
adventurous
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? Yes
4.0
bookplaits's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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
4.0
roytoo's review
5.0
Excellent story and character development in this book (just like the previous books in the series). I'm looking forward to reading more Cas Russell books.
silvae's review against another edition
5.0
TW: Animal death, paranoia, violence including guns and explosions, mind control
S.L. Huang called Critical Point the entry in the Russellverse "'the one with all the explosions' or 'the one that is (finally) super gay.'" and I would say both of those are true - in the third book in the series, we learn more about the homelives and pasts of many of the characters we have come to love, while also being blown up every few chapters. In my humble opinion, Critical Point is the most solid entry in the series so far, as both action and interaction are handled skillfully as more information about Cas' past emerges. I especially loved all the tag team missions Cas and Pilar (who are most definitely my favorite duo) got to go on, but missed Arthur quite terribly once again. While I am so happy that we now have a crime family, I do miss the Cas Arthur shenanigans from book 1.
I think a few people will find issue with the characterization S.L. Huang has decided to continue on from Null Set - Cas is no longer the cool detached badass that despises working with others and dealing with her emotions. Instead she is now driven by trauma and memories that have resurfaced for the first time in decades. I think, as always, how you approach the series also determines how you react to this change in behavior. If you're only in it for the thrill, action and excitement, Cas' inner conflict and venture into her past may severely dampen your enjoyment. If you're invested in the characters and the family they have found, this will more than likely aide in fleshing out the characters and their relationships. Make of that what you will - I, for one, am anxiously awaiting the next entry into this series.
S.L. Huang called Critical Point the entry in the Russellverse "'the one with all the explosions' or 'the one that is (finally) super gay.'" and I would say both of those are true - in the third book in the series, we learn more about the homelives and pasts of many of the characters we have come to love, while also being blown up every few chapters. In my humble opinion, Critical Point is the most solid entry in the series so far, as both action and interaction are handled skillfully as more information about Cas' past emerges. I especially loved all the tag team missions Cas and Pilar (who are most definitely my favorite duo) got to go on, but missed Arthur quite terribly once again. While I am so happy that we now have a crime family, I do miss the Cas Arthur shenanigans from book 1.
I think a few people will find issue with the characterization S.L. Huang has decided to continue on from Null Set - Cas is no longer the cool detached badass that despises working with others and dealing with her emotions. Instead she is now driven by trauma and memories that have resurfaced for the first time in decades. I think, as always, how you approach the series also determines how you react to this change in behavior. If you're only in it for the thrill, action and excitement, Cas' inner conflict and venture into her past may severely dampen your enjoyment. If you're invested in the characters and the family they have found, this will more than likely aide in fleshing out the characters and their relationships. Make of that what you will - I, for one, am anxiously awaiting the next entry into this series.