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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
loved the plot and writing… needed a bit more romance than just yearning!
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
rating closer to a 3.5
The romance was definitely one of the strongest part - that and the discussions about privilege and oppression, opening up these themes to YA without trivialising them or being too heavy handed. However, I definitely felt that the plot began to lag after the halfway mark, when it felt like a certain mystery had to be created in order to make sure Ayla was still relevant (plot wise) as a character, and I just didn’t find the “villain” to be believable - I still don’t really understand his motivation to marry Crier at all.
The romance was definitely one of the strongest part - that and the discussions about privilege and oppression, opening up these themes to YA without trivialising them or being too heavy handed. However, I definitely felt that the plot began to lag after the halfway mark, when it felt like a certain mystery had to be created in order to make sure Ayla was still relevant (plot wise) as a character, and I just didn’t find the “villain” to be believable - I still don’t really understand his motivation to marry Crier at all.
Hmm I feel kind of conflicted on whether to give this 3 or 4 stars. On one hand, this was a really entertaining read and I enjoyed my time with it, but on the other hand, there are some aspects to the story that were so frustrating to sit through. I think I'll rate it a 3 star, but it's pretty much a 3.5 to me.
The world building was rich and lush, and this is heavily in part due to Nina Varela's stunning writing style. Everything had so much detail without feeling like a bore, and it really put me in the center of the action, as if I was watching the scenes of the book unfold in front of my eyes. I was blown away by the creativity of how Automae were made and came to be, and the mystery of their origin was well crafted as well.
I think the characters were just okay, nothing really stood out to me about their aspects, but I didn't think they were boring and 2d either. Ayla was a little stereotypical when it came to the being driven by revenge aspect, but it wasn't unbearable to read either. I liked Crier a bit more, and I think her inner turmoil was something that I really enjoyed reading. I also liked how the book swapped back and forth between a focus on Crier and a focus on Ayla, with certain chapters intermingling the two.
The romance was a bit of a let down. For the lead up that there was, there was all too little pay off, and it felt like a bit of a waste to see such obvious hints of their desires for each other but the result was kind of anticlimactic. I'm hopeful to see more of their romance develop and grow in the sequel, and if there's not then . idk
The plot was interesting, and I found that my attention was held throughout the book after the exposition, but it was interesting, because it didn't entirely feel like there was ever a climax, or that the plot was picking up, or some form of a resolution. Or at least it felt like that to me. It doesn't really change my opinion on the book because I enjoyed it nevertheless, but that was a bit strange to look back on.
I had a fun time reading this, and although there are quite a few aspects that lowered my enjoyment reading this book, I'm still really excited to see how it all plays out in Iron Heart.
The world building was rich and lush, and this is heavily in part due to Nina Varela's stunning writing style. Everything had so much detail without feeling like a bore, and it really put me in the center of the action, as if I was watching the scenes of the book unfold in front of my eyes. I was blown away by the creativity of how Automae were made and came to be, and the mystery of their origin was well crafted as well.
I think the characters were just okay, nothing really stood out to me about their aspects, but I didn't think they were boring and 2d either. Ayla was a little stereotypical when it came to the being driven by revenge aspect, but it wasn't unbearable to read either. I liked Crier a bit more, and I think her inner turmoil was something that I really enjoyed reading. I also liked how the book swapped back and forth between a focus on Crier and a focus on Ayla, with certain chapters intermingling the two.
The romance was a bit of a let down. For the lead up that there was, there was all too little pay off, and it felt like a bit of a waste to see such obvious hints of their desires for each other but the result was kind of anticlimactic. I'm hopeful to see more of their romance develop and grow in the sequel, and if there's not then . idk
The plot was interesting, and I found that my attention was held throughout the book after the exposition, but it was interesting, because it didn't entirely feel like there was ever a climax, or that the plot was picking up, or some form of a resolution. Or at least it felt like that to me. It doesn't really change my opinion on the book because I enjoyed it nevertheless, but that was a bit strange to look back on.
I had a fun time reading this, and although there are quite a few aspects that lowered my enjoyment reading this book, I'm still really excited to see how it all plays out in Iron Heart.
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i wanted to like this but it was just…deeply fine.
Full review to come I just want to say I need the next book in my hands immediately.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
gay, enemies to lovers, robots, AND taking down a fascistic society! what more could i ask for?
Nicely paced and kept me interested. Only flaw was that so much was introduced but never really gone in to depth. Curious enough to read the second in the series to see where the story goes.