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3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
The author attempted Persuasion in SPACE but floundered while updating the social commentary for the modern reader, much less in a futuristic setting.
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Vague spoilers ahead! There are so many things about this book that I really loved. I loved set up of the different spaceships and parts of the fleet being recreations of countries and regions from a lost earth. I loved the smuggling subplot and the Bachelor-esque feel of the Valg. There were some really strong characters that I loved, but many characters did feel flat and without agency. The fact that we only got Daniel for a small portion of the book killed me - he was amazing. Evy was also delightful. So, there were a few things I didn't love. I felt like there were some very interesting plot points dangled in front of us that were never fulfilled, or glossed over very conveniently. I really wanted more of the smuggling plot and some more nitty gritty with the political intrigue. I also would have liked more of Carina and Ben, though it would have been difficult to do so with the way the plot went and everything being from Leo's POV. Leo was hit and miss for me as a character. Mostly I enjoyed her, but again certain moments fell very flat for me. Elliot was fine, but that's the most I could say about him. Their chemistry did not appeal to me at all. Overall, I thought it was a very enjoyable read and I would absolutely recommend to teens looking for a lighter sci-fi story, romance, and/or LGBTQ+ representation.
3.5 stars
This isn't really my cup of tea. It's a retelling of Persuasion that feels like The Bachelor in space. None of those are any of my favorite things, so I'm just not the right reader for this book. But for anyone who likes those things, you're likely to enjoy this.
This isn't really my cup of tea. It's a retelling of Persuasion that feels like The Bachelor in space. None of those are any of my favorite things, so I'm just not the right reader for this book. But for anyone who likes those things, you're likely to enjoy this.
alright here are a few of my thoughts of this book:
A few positives include how I like that the author took inspiration from Jane Austen's Persuasion, it was a fun read. The author's writing style is simplistic, although I was a little disappointed that the author's writing style included more telling rather than showing. There are some moments in the writing that felt awkward, and personally I would have really liked it better if the author wrote in a more showing way. Indeed, good for young adult readers from the ages 13-15 and a few swear words appeared.
There are also a few more suggestions/places that I enjoyed less than the others:
Firstly, with the lgbtq+ rep in the book, one of the characters being lesbian and the other ace
i like how there's rep, but there is no need to put so much emphasis? for example, Evgenia, who is lesbian, keeps stating that she is and making it obvious, which i find admirable of her but there isn't need to show representation by constantly stating that she is indeed lesbian
the ace rep (Daniel) came at around the end, but i think it was represented better than Evgenia's
Secondly, the characters were on the weaker side. There was not enough characterization, and partly could be because the entire book is in first person point of view and uses only one character's thoughts. It ended up showing the characters through that one character's (Leo) point of view. There weren't any characters that really drew me in or that I fell in love with, simply because there wasn't enough development in the character and personality that stood out. The main character, Leo, was quite annoying as well (personal opinion) as I thought that she could have been less immature about many situations, but if that is the flawed character that the author gave, then okay sure -- the only thing I would have appreciated if we ended up seeing character growth with Leo.
Thirdly, the plot was quite interesting. The political aspect was not too understandable though, I was confused at various points throughout the book, wondering how they arrived at that point or what was going on. The entire world building was not detailed enough as I didn't really understand what world they were in, how it ran, what this ship managing was and all.
The intro began with a bang, but I was confused immediately. Perhaps if it had started with a backstory to Leo and Elliot's relationship? I understood the Seasons and the Valg well enough, but the author could do some more with developing it.
There were moments when something happened and I don't even know why it happened, until someone else on the side explains. For example, Leo was going to confront her aunt about stealing her ideas and everything, but then her aunt pushed her in a pool and the tech that she was recording on obviously didn't survive the fall -- and then there was somehow a backup? Elliot had recorded another copy? Everything went like oh no this happened, BUT THATS OKAY *second person comes up* i have THIS don't WORRY but hello? I appreciate it if these events happened less suddenly and bizarrely -- it lowkey made everything seem really awkward.
But this is just my personal opinion!
Overall, it was a quick read, the writing style wasn't really what I preferred to read which was why I only gave the book two stars, but the idea was good. With a few more adjustments with plot and character development, as well as checking on rep, it would be even better.
A few positives include how I like that the author took inspiration from Jane Austen's Persuasion, it was a fun read. The author's writing style is simplistic, although I was a little disappointed that the author's writing style included more telling rather than showing. There are some moments in the writing that felt awkward, and personally I would have really liked it better if the author wrote in a more showing way. Indeed, good for young adult readers from the ages 13-15 and a few swear words appeared.
There are also a few more suggestions/places that I enjoyed less than the others:
Firstly, with the lgbtq+ rep in the book, one of the characters being lesbian and the other ace
i like how there's rep, but there is no need to put so much emphasis? for example, Evgenia, who is lesbian, keeps stating that she is and making it obvious, which i find admirable of her but there isn't need to show representation by constantly stating that she is indeed lesbian
the ace rep (Daniel) came at around the end, but i think it was represented better than Evgenia's
Secondly, the characters were on the weaker side. There was not enough characterization, and partly could be because the entire book is in first person point of view and uses only one character's thoughts. It ended up showing the characters through that one character's (Leo) point of view. There weren't any characters that really drew me in or that I fell in love with, simply because there wasn't enough development in the character and personality that stood out. The main character, Leo, was quite annoying as well (personal opinion) as I thought that she could have been less immature about many situations, but if that is the flawed character that the author gave, then okay sure -- the only thing I would have appreciated if we ended up seeing character growth with Leo.
Thirdly, the plot was quite interesting. The political aspect was not too understandable though, I was confused at various points throughout the book, wondering how they arrived at that point or what was going on. The entire world building was not detailed enough as I didn't really understand what world they were in, how it ran, what this ship managing was and all.
The intro began with a bang, but I was confused immediately. Perhaps if it had started with a backstory to Leo and Elliot's relationship? I understood the Seasons and the Valg well enough, but the author could do some more with developing it.
Spoiler
There were moments when something happened and I don't even know why it happened, until someone else on the side explains. For example, Leo was going to confront her aunt about stealing her ideas and everything, but then her aunt pushed her in a pool and the tech that she was recording on obviously didn't survive the fall -- and then there was somehow a backup? Elliot had recorded another copy? Everything went like oh no this happened, BUT THATS OKAY *second person comes up* i have THIS don't WORRY but hello? I appreciate it if these events happened less suddenly and bizarrely -- it lowkey made everything seem really awkward.
But this is just my personal opinion!
Overall, it was a quick read, the writing style wasn't really what I preferred to read which was why I only gave the book two stars, but the idea was good. With a few more adjustments with plot and character development, as well as checking on rep, it would be even better.
1.5/5
Veamos, siempre supe que sería una historia ligera y divertida. Después de todo, es un retelling de Persuasión en una nave espacial, no soy tonta. Sé a lo que iba. Aun así, me pareció especialmente ridículo y sin sentido. Quizá hubiese sido mejor si la autora se hubiese quedado en algo contemporáneo.
Leo es una princesa sin dinero y solo un título inútil, por eso debe casarse en esa temporada porque en 5 años tendrá 24 años y eso la volverá una solterona. Sin embargo, su corazón todavía sufre por el chico al que rechazó 3 años atrás. Por desgracia, cuando Elliot vuelva a su vida todo se volverá más confuso y caótico para ella.
Insisto, sé a lo que iba y por gran parte del libro lo fue. Una historia llena de confusiones, pues desde el inicio sabemos que Leo y Elliot se amaban todavía y todos esos momentos de desprecio e indiferencia ocultaban amor. Me gustó la primera mitad, pero luego se puso dramático y se centró en lo que estaba mal estructurado del libro.
Es una historia de adolescentes y adultos jóvenes enamorándose y poniéndose celosos unos de otros. Así de simple. La autora intentó agregar un poco sobre diferencias de clases, pero fue un intento casi vergonzoso. Era una excusa para poner un contexto y para situar la trama del final, aunque como dije estaba tan mal tratado y de forma tan superficial que la solución a todo fue una broma.
Todo el tema de la tía era evidente y casi irrisorio. Muy cliché, muy libro 2010. De hecho, Leo es una protagonista del 2010. No sé cómo más definirla, comete los errores de las protagonistas típicas del 2010. No es que fuera agotadora, por suerte, solo que simplona y probablemente en un par de días ya la haya olvidado.
No entiendo por qué ubicó la historia en el espacio. No tenía sentido. Contemporáneo hubiera sido mucho más fácil de manejar y coherente, pero acá en el espacio iban a playas, bailes y usaban vestidos elegantes. Era una completa estupidez, lo siento. No soy la persona con más fe en la humanidad, pero dudo mucho que eso se acerque siquiera un poco a como podría ser. Y está bien, no es un libro de cifi sino que de romance, pero todo el entorno resultaba tan ridículo que me sacaba de onda cuando me lo recordaban.
La verdad es que no lo recomiendo, es el primer retelling de Persuasión que leo/escucho y fue decepcionante, se suponía que sería una historia ligera y divertida, pero cruzó la barrera para volverse absurda.
Veamos, siempre supe que sería una historia ligera y divertida. Después de todo, es un retelling de Persuasión en una nave espacial, no soy tonta. Sé a lo que iba. Aun así, me pareció especialmente ridículo y sin sentido. Quizá hubiese sido mejor si la autora se hubiese quedado en algo contemporáneo.
Leo es una princesa sin dinero y solo un título inútil, por eso debe casarse en esa temporada porque en 5 años tendrá 24 años y eso la volverá una solterona. Sin embargo, su corazón todavía sufre por el chico al que rechazó 3 años atrás. Por desgracia, cuando Elliot vuelva a su vida todo se volverá más confuso y caótico para ella.
Insisto, sé a lo que iba y por gran parte del libro lo fue. Una historia llena de confusiones, pues desde el inicio sabemos que Leo y Elliot se amaban todavía y todos esos momentos de desprecio e indiferencia ocultaban amor. Me gustó la primera mitad, pero luego se puso dramático y se centró en lo que estaba mal estructurado del libro.
Es una historia de adolescentes y adultos jóvenes enamorándose y poniéndose celosos unos de otros. Así de simple. La autora intentó agregar un poco sobre diferencias de clases, pero fue un intento casi vergonzoso. Era una excusa para poner un contexto y para situar la trama del final, aunque como dije estaba tan mal tratado y de forma tan superficial que la solución a todo fue una broma.
Todo el tema de la tía era evidente y casi irrisorio. Muy cliché, muy libro 2010. De hecho, Leo es una protagonista del 2010. No sé cómo más definirla, comete los errores de las protagonistas típicas del 2010. No es que fuera agotadora, por suerte, solo que simplona y probablemente en un par de días ya la haya olvidado.
No entiendo por qué ubicó la historia en el espacio. No tenía sentido. Contemporáneo hubiera sido mucho más fácil de manejar y coherente, pero acá en el espacio iban a playas, bailes y usaban vestidos elegantes. Era una completa estupidez, lo siento. No soy la persona con más fe en la humanidad, pero dudo mucho que eso se acerque siquiera un poco a como podría ser. Y está bien, no es un libro de cifi sino que de romance, pero todo el entorno resultaba tan ridículo que me sacaba de onda cuando me lo recordaban.
La verdad es que no lo recomiendo, es el primer retelling de Persuasión que leo/escucho y fue decepcionante, se suponía que sería una historia ligera y divertida, pero cruzó la barrera para volverse absurda.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book is amazing!! Seriously one of my faves this year. I didn't hate any characters; they all meshed well together.
I was ready to write a long, spoilerish, bitter review but there are so many wrong things in this book that I'm afraid that I'll stay here three days in a row and I want to forget this asap, tbh.
Cringe dialogues, weird and nonsense situations, ugly prose, zero worldbuilding and one lgbtqia character use to create drama but to not involve the main character into a love triangle.
I feel scammed by the beautiful cover, I swear.
Cringe dialogues, weird and nonsense situations, ugly prose, zero worldbuilding and one lgbtqia character use to create drama but to not involve the main character into a love triangle.
I feel scammed by the beautiful cover, I swear.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.25 rounded down
What I liked about the book:
-The world was gorgeous. It was a mix between sci-fi and historical, with fancy balls, and made me a little jealous of the characters.
-Evgenia and Daniel. They were the best characters in the book, and scenes with them were my favorite.
What I didn't like:
-Elliot and Leo. There was no chemistry between the two of them.
-Leo. She was so hot and cold, two-dimensional, and overall impossible to relate to.
-The plotline. It was mainly romance-driven, and the little that was the actual plot was easy to predict.
What I liked about the book:
-The world was gorgeous. It was a mix between sci-fi and historical, with fancy balls, and made me a little jealous of the characters.
-Evgenia and Daniel. They were the best characters in the book, and scenes with them were my favorite.
What I didn't like:
-Elliot and Leo. There was no chemistry between the two of them.
-Leo. She was so hot and cold, two-dimensional, and overall impossible to relate to.
-The plotline. It was mainly romance-driven, and the little that was the actual plot was easy to predict.
