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jhbandcats's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
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? Yes
4.5
Many of the main characters from Station Eternity are back with this sequel. Mallory, Xan, and the Gneiss have the biggest roles, with Tina providing the comic relief. Several people from Mallory’s past are added to the mix as a second shuttle from earth brings more visitors, a huge shock as she had literally forgotten all about one of them.
Of course, as soon as the new humans come aboard, murders start to happen. This time, though, Mallory has no idea what’s going on. The rest of the book shows the complex relationships between the humans and the aliens, the way they’re interconnected and reliant one another, and how Mallory needs the aliens to help her be at her best.
There are spies, pheromones, love, and deception, and a couple of real jerks. It’s a solid follow-up to the first in the trilogy. Unfortunately, now I have to wait almost a year till the third book is published.
Of course, as soon as the new humans come aboard, murders start to happen. This time, though, Mallory has no idea what’s going on. The rest of the book shows the complex relationships between the humans and the aliens, the way they’re interconnected and reliant one another, and how Mallory needs the aliens to help her be at her best.
There are spies, pheromones, love, and deception, and a couple of real jerks. It’s a solid follow-up to the first in the trilogy. Unfortunately, now I have to wait almost a year till the third book is published.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Violence, Murder, Blood, and Medical trauma
wordsareworlds's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book suffered from a bit of sequel syndrome. At the end of Station Eternity, Mallory had just figured out a lot about her life, and the station had gone through major changes, and it kind of felt like she was going to set out on something of a path (maybe). The first thing this book does is change everything up, and then also away Mallory's uncanny abilities. There were still a lot of connections, and the solution to some of those were novel, but it also felt a bit more that rather than things having a coincidental connection to Mallory this was on purpose.
The other major drawback was the romantic plotline. It felt really, really weird to have these two people be so obsessed with each other after over a decade, when their only other connection was in high school. I've read a bunch of Lafferty's work at this point, and I will say that her relationships always feel kind of awkward and weird, but this was a whole new level. Almost cringe.
I wouldn't recommend the audiobook version of this unless you're a fan of the narrator yelling at you, since she took the description of Tina's voice very literally. So much yelling.
All in all, not the best follow up to Station Eternity, but I do want to continue reding the series and I hope that the next installment works better for me.
The other major drawback was the romantic plotline. It felt really, really weird to have these two people be so obsessed with each other after over a decade, when their only other connection was in high school. I've read a bunch of Lafferty's work at this point, and I will say that her relationships always feel kind of awkward and weird, but this was a whole new level. Almost cringe.
I wouldn't recommend the audiobook version of this unless you're a fan of the narrator yelling at you, since she took the description of Tina's voice very literally. So much yelling.
All in all, not the best follow up to Station Eternity, but I do want to continue reding the series and I hope that the next installment works better for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Alcohol
nerdbrarian's review against another edition
dark
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Blood
crownoflaurel's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Police brutality, and Xenophobia
schnaucl's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
4.25
I continue to really enjoy the world building. Eternity is a fascinating place.
I really the first 90% of the story but the ending didn't feel earned to me.I can't really put my finger on why. I can see where Lafferty was laying the groundwork for the culprit with his life falling apart and that pushing him over the edge, it just didn't click for me for some reason.
I would think at some point the fact that humans keep trying to find stealthy ways to wipe out other sentient species would become more of an issue. Especially if at least the Sundry have been observing them for decades.
It will be interesting to see what Mallory's relationship to the Sundry will be like with the new queen.
As always, the gneiss were a delight.It sounds like they may not be part of the next book, which is too bad. I'll miss them.
I really the first 90% of the story but the ending didn't feel earned to me.
I would think at some point the fact that humans keep trying to find stealthy ways to wipe out other sentient species would become more of an issue. Especially if at least the Sundry have been observing them for decades.
It will be interesting to see what Mallory's relationship to the Sundry will be like with the new queen.
As always, the gneiss were a delight.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Alcoholism, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Murder
Minor: Medical content and Police brutality
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