Scan barcode
jinxei's review
5.0
The drawing point was "mechs but make it super gay." That's apparently all it takes for me to step away from my fantasy reading binge and pick up a sci fi.
It was like reading an anime, in the best way possible. Gus is the awkward gentle soul that I crave as a MMC and that we got not only him but arguably the best described and written mech battles that I have ever seen was a blessing. Each fight felt straight out of my wildest Evangelion/Gundam dreams. Not just grappling and tossing like a Transformers level brawl, but busting out the big swords too?!
And of course, how could I exist without the bit of romance sprinkled in. We get the one I loved even more than Gus, his loud rock star lover Ardent Violent that juxtaposes with Gus's downcast and dreary jazz self just perfectly.
This isn't some straight (haha) laced space opera, it is everything wild and crazy that you would expect. Think Pacific Rim. Anime. If you love sci fi but want a little flavor added, pick up August Kitko and the Mechas From Space immediately.
Thank you to Orbit Books and Alex White for this ARC copy! It was a joy to read.
It was like reading an anime, in the best way possible. Gus is the awkward gentle soul that I crave as a MMC and that we got not only him but arguably the best described and written mech battles that I have ever seen was a blessing. Each fight felt straight out of my wildest Evangelion/Gundam dreams. Not just grappling and tossing like a Transformers level brawl, but busting out the big swords too?!
And of course, how could I exist without the bit of romance sprinkled in. We get the one I loved even more than Gus, his loud rock star lover Ardent Violent that juxtaposes with Gus's downcast and dreary jazz self just perfectly.
This isn't some straight (haha) laced space opera, it is everything wild and crazy that you would expect. Think Pacific Rim. Anime. If you love sci fi but want a little flavor added, pick up August Kitko and the Mechas From Space immediately.
Thank you to Orbit Books and Alex White for this ARC copy! It was a joy to read.
cirrus_prince's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
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
5.0
richard_choi's review
adventurous
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
Wonderful, fast paced, can’t wait for the second one!
mint_the_muffin's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
robotswithpersonality's review
I rarely read anything where the action alone is enough to suck me in and keep me reading but this is so very engagingly written, you care about the characters immediately, so that finding out what's going to happen is a riveting enterprise, that and between the rocking amidst giant mechas, basically everyone having incredible tech-aided style and the evasion and fight scene choreography, the action itself is a hell of a ride. Did I mention Ardent and Gus, and the situations they get into are hilarious? There's a warmth and humanity that reminds me of Scalzi, definitely my favoured direction in sci-fi, though that doesn't mean there's not some heavy shit going on, as in Scalzi.
The epic duel/duet between Falchion and Ardent is a scene I'm going to have in my head for a long time. Serious cinematic potential.
Very much dug the nod to the original meaning of robot.
Non-binary main character for the win!
The world building can feel a little 'in media res' but it helps with the flow of the narrative, what's introduced varies from not too far from where tech is currently/where people are currently studying for future innovations to extrapolate and have no trouble believing in its existence, and casual reference to things like star metal which have a very 'just go with it' quality that is my preferred version of sci fi world-building (as opposed to getting bogged down in the detailed breakdown of how it works when I may or may not have the math/science background to comprehend it).
The ending is at a good place where it's not a cliffhanger, you could stop and keep this as a standalone, but I am happy to read on in the series. Next one apparently comes out next month!
⚠️non-con body modification/body horror(?), suicidal ideation, depression
The epic duel/duet between Falchion and Ardent is a scene I'm going to have in my head for a long time. Serious cinematic potential.
Very much dug the nod to the original meaning of robot.
Non-binary main character for the win!
The world building can feel a little 'in media res' but it helps with the flow of the narrative, what's introduced varies from not too far from where tech is currently/where people are currently studying for future innovations to extrapolate and have no trouble believing in its existence, and casual reference to things like star metal which have a very 'just go with it' quality that is my preferred version of sci fi world-building (as opposed to getting bogged down in the detailed breakdown of how it works when I may or may not have the math/science background to comprehend it).
The ending is at a good place where it's not a cliffhanger, you could stop and keep this as a standalone, but I am happy to read on in the series. Next one apparently comes out next month!
⚠️non-con body modification/body horror(?), suicidal ideation, depression
rfiddlesticks's review
4.0
Too much fun! August and Ardent Violet (*not* to be confused with the "artist formerly known as...") save the universe and become better people.
labunnywtf's review
5.0
But if the world has to end, Ardent wants the best seat: front row, mosh pit.
I need a GR shelf for "I am so thoroughly biased that I don't think my review counts but also because of the way I read it I am not allowed to be biased so it still counts".
Also known as my Alex White shelf, I guess?
I adore EVERYTHING about this book.
It's the end of the world as we know it, and everyone at this party is drunk or high, living life to the fullest before their doom. The whole world knows that the Vanguards (see above re: Mechas From Space, aka Giant Murder Robots) are about to arrive, and decimate the planet, just like they've done to so many before.
Possibly the only person not enjoying themself is Gus. There to play jazz piano at the Last Party on Earth, having already made out with the Ultra Famous, Uber Fabulous Ardent Violent, and then screwed that up. What a terrible last act on earth, amiright?
But then the Mechas arrive. And Gus and Ardent make like the Titanic orchestra and have one last jam before it all ends.
But it doesn't end.
In fact, one of the Mechas apparently really digs jazz, and...well. Eats Gus.
And that's just where the story BEGINS.
I haven't even talked about the BRAIN EATING BABY MURDER ROBOTS. Because those fuckers.
Have I mentioned I love EVERYTHING about this book?
This is unlike anything we've seen from Alex so far, but has all the hallmarks that those of us who have read their books have come to expect, and come to adore.
If you loved Salvagers, and think you're getting the remix, you'll be let down. But if you loved Salvagers and want to see what else Alex can do, this is right up your street.
And if you've never read an Alex White book, what are you doing with your life? Get on this. ::snap snap::
I need a GR shelf for "I am so thoroughly biased that I don't think my review counts but also because of the way I read it I am not allowed to be biased so it still counts".
Also known as my Alex White shelf, I guess?
I adore EVERYTHING about this book.
It's the end of the world as we know it, and everyone at this party is drunk or high, living life to the fullest before their doom. The whole world knows that the Vanguards (see above re: Mechas From Space, aka Giant Murder Robots) are about to arrive, and decimate the planet, just like they've done to so many before.
Possibly the only person not enjoying themself is Gus. There to play jazz piano at the Last Party on Earth, having already made out with the Ultra Famous, Uber Fabulous Ardent Violent, and then screwed that up. What a terrible last act on earth, amiright?
But then the Mechas arrive. And Gus and Ardent make like the Titanic orchestra and have one last jam before it all ends.
But it doesn't end.
In fact, one of the Mechas apparently really digs jazz, and...well. Eats Gus.
And that's just where the story BEGINS.
I haven't even talked about the BRAIN EATING BABY MURDER ROBOTS. Because those fuckers.
Have I mentioned I love EVERYTHING about this book?
This is unlike anything we've seen from Alex so far, but has all the hallmarks that those of us who have read their books have come to expect, and come to adore.
If you loved Salvagers, and think you're getting the remix, you'll be let down. But if you loved Salvagers and want to see what else Alex can do, this is right up your street.
And if you've never read an Alex White book, what are you doing with your life? Get on this. ::snap snap::
maisy_ally's review
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
While it didn’t completely blow me away (I found the ending almost a bit anticlimactic?) it was a super fun romp through space and time. The author does an excellent job of setting a scene and making you feel like you’re in it. And I appreciated not being spoon fed what every piece of tech is, what every event in history leading to the world we’re in was, etc. Sometimes I find that there is so much world building that needs to happen in sci-fi that I’m bogged down with the who, what’s, and where’s of it all. I liked that Alex White wrote as if the reader already knows what’s going on in the world(s) in which the story takes place, and left it up to us to fill in!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, War, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent and Drug use
smortnerd's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75