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kappafrog's review
slow-paced
- 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
I can't believe how bad this book turned out to be! It was so disappointing. The prologue chapter was great, with a moody sci-fi setting and an interesting mystery. But the rest of the book was in first person perspective from a character who was insufferable. This read like a parody of what someone thinks an academic would think like, not like any real person I've ever met. The vocabulary was distractingly over-the-top in its use of obscure words. The POV character had no personality, and the other main character, Mossa, was infuriating and manipulative.
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. Thecat attack and the responses to it - Mossa's Tough Girl stoicism and a complete lack of action from the mauzooleum or any other authorities - were all absurd. We don't meet the main villain until the climax, before which he had never even been named. Every side character is completely one-dimensional. As for the romance, we are told that Pleiti is attracted to Mossa and that they were previously in a relationship , but I never saw any evidence that there was any meaningful reason for these characters to get together. Mossa commits a nasty act of police brutality at one point, kicking a man who's not been convicted of any crime while he's in chains on her floor , and the whole thing with hoping Pleiti would show up at the platform in the climax was downright manipulative.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
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
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Colonisation, Violence, Medical content, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
geekmom's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
I liked the premise and the story but there were elements of the execution that felt off or unfinished to me. I also would have preferred less use of overly flowery language— or at least, less awkward use of it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Death
aileron's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Violence
nightstitch96's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Injury/Injury detail
beccaand's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Suicide
valjeanval's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
It’s an ok mystery, a decent sci-fi, and a full romance. Kind of forgettable for me though with some cool concepts. I just never really bonded with any characters.
Content Warnings
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Murder, Violence, and Death
city_girl_writer's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? No
3.5
Definitely better for me via audio. I grew to like the sapphic romance and the cosy gaslamp sci-fi setting was nice and unique was well. Looking forward to reading the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Blood and Murder
Minor: Suicide
trips's review
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Great premise, pretty interesting world, really boring story.
This book is incredibly short yet felt a bit arduous to read. Felt a lot like Arthur Conan Doyle mysteries, and unfortunately that isn't a positive thing for my reading preferences. I really just can't appreciate mysteries where the investigator is just like "oh yes I already know everything! I already figured this part out!", its just not for me. The relationship between the two main characters felt very stiff because the dialogue was so stilted, the bad guy was quite obvious.
I feel like this could have been a neat take on the environment and our future, but sadly everything fell flat.
This book is incredibly short yet felt a bit arduous to read. Felt a lot like Arthur Conan Doyle mysteries, and unfortunately that isn't a positive thing for my reading preferences. I really just can't appreciate mysteries where the investigator is just like "oh yes I already know everything! I already figured this part out!", its just not for me. The relationship between the two main characters felt very stiff because the dialogue was so stilted, the bad guy was quite obvious.
I feel like this could have been a neat take on the environment and our future, but sadly everything fell flat.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
hendrixpants's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death