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a_reader_obsessed's review
3.0
3 Stars
A sci-fi shorty that brings some action, government conspiracy, and one man’s quest for truth who must make some very tough life or death decisions. Easy breezy reading and again, a nice quickie if you need one!
A sci-fi shorty that brings some action, government conspiracy, and one man’s quest for truth who must make some very tough life or death decisions. Easy breezy reading and again, a nice quickie if you need one!
the_novel_approach's review
3.0
Talking about Love in Retrograde is going to be difficult, especially discussing it without giving the entire short story away. It’s a short, sweet sci-fi love story that is short. First off, let me say I have read and loved Charlie Cochet’s work before, and I enjoyed this example as well; it was just too short.
Can I just say short story is short? I know, repeating yourself, Angel, but short! I was just getting fully invested into the interesting world building, the two MC’s lives, and the impact of what I was reading, when it was suddenly over. I had so many more things I wanted to see, to have answered, but no more pages appeared on my tablet. Damn technological malfunction! Where’s the rest of it?
Anyway, this is a lovely, sweet and complete novella, but everything happened so quickly. It felt like it could have been the beginning of an epic adventure tale, and I certainly hope Charlie Cochet returns to New London to expand on the exciting verse created here.
Reviewed by Angel for The Novel Approach Reviews
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.com/review-love-in-retrograde-by-charlie-cochet/
Can I just say short story is short? I know, repeating yourself, Angel, but short! I was just getting fully invested into the interesting world building, the two MC’s lives, and the impact of what I was reading, when it was suddenly over. I had so many more things I wanted to see, to have answered, but no more pages appeared on my tablet. Damn technological malfunction! Where’s the rest of it?
Anyway, this is a lovely, sweet and complete novella, but everything happened so quickly. It felt like it could have been the beginning of an epic adventure tale, and I certainly hope Charlie Cochet returns to New London to expand on the exciting verse created here.
Reviewed by Angel for The Novel Approach Reviews
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.com/review-love-in-retrograde-by-charlie-cochet/
fantasyliving's review
3.0
3.5 Hearts
Kelly is an intern hoping to advance his career by being part of Project Mars. After overhearing an argument between the two Doctors heading the project, Kelly is taken to the secure section where he discovers Project Mars is actually a human, biologically engineered to be a super-soldier. He does not expect to be confined to Mar’s living quarters, or start caring for this weapon.
This was a fun adventure/love story. As a novella it is a quick read, but the world building and character development is enough to give the illusion of a longer read. None of this story drags, and the quiet before the storm is sweet.
The erotica wasn’t all it could have been but I’ll forgive it because the rest was thorough enough. The plot development and character development was great for a novella. I think it could have been broadened just a bit to give it that edge, but what was there was good enough to know the writer has skill in bringing a fleshed out story.
The action portion was a little too fast paced which took away from the story. Even though this is science-fiction, more would have been better. More explanation of what Mars was doing during the action, more explanation on the villains and their purpose, and more about the supporting characters. These all seemed to be a bit stifled. Obviously I enjoyed this enough to want more, which speaks for itself.
I would recommend this to sci-fi fans, who enjoy genetically engineered humans, conspiracies, and some shoot ‘em up action.
A Copy was provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review
Kelly is an intern hoping to advance his career by being part of Project Mars. After overhearing an argument between the two Doctors heading the project, Kelly is taken to the secure section where he discovers Project Mars is actually a human, biologically engineered to be a super-soldier. He does not expect to be confined to Mar’s living quarters, or start caring for this weapon.
This was a fun adventure/love story. As a novella it is a quick read, but the world building and character development is enough to give the illusion of a longer read. None of this story drags, and the quiet before the storm is sweet.
The erotica wasn’t all it could have been but I’ll forgive it because the rest was thorough enough. The plot development and character development was great for a novella. I think it could have been broadened just a bit to give it that edge, but what was there was good enough to know the writer has skill in bringing a fleshed out story.
The action portion was a little too fast paced which took away from the story. Even though this is science-fiction, more would have been better. More explanation of what Mars was doing during the action, more explanation on the villains and their purpose, and more about the supporting characters. These all seemed to be a bit stifled. Obviously I enjoyed this enough to want more, which speaks for itself.
I would recommend this to sci-fi fans, who enjoy genetically engineered humans, conspiracies, and some shoot ‘em up action.
A Copy was provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review
sadie's review
3.0
-Originally reviewed for Prism Book Alliance-
Confession: I didn’t realize Love In Retrograde was a novella (rather than a novel) until I’d finished reading it, and so a fair portion of my thoughts on character development and world-building don’t quite fit in this review as I intended.
What’s left is a list of adjectives for the overall story – modern, slick, efficient – and an equal number of questions specifically about the plot, which unravels too fast for its own good near the end. There’s nothing really wrong with the MC(s), but save for one, they’re not particularly memorable either. I’m not sure how much of that can be attributed to the word count? I’d be interested in reading some longer works by the author to see if their writing style plays out better with more space to grow.
Bonus: The cover is gorgeous; just to my taste!
Confession: I didn’t realize Love In Retrograde was a novella (rather than a novel) until I’d finished reading it, and so a fair portion of my thoughts on character development and world-building don’t quite fit in this review as I intended.
What’s left is a list of adjectives for the overall story – modern, slick, efficient – and an equal number of questions specifically about the plot, which unravels too fast for its own good near the end. There’s nothing really wrong with the MC(s), but save for one, they’re not particularly memorable either. I’m not sure how much of that can be attributed to the word count? I’d be interested in reading some longer works by the author to see if their writing style plays out better with more space to grow.
Bonus: The cover is gorgeous; just to my taste!
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