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spaghettii's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Moderate: Grief, Gun violence, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, Suicide, Death, Drug use, Medical trauma, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, and War
starlitpage's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Cursing, Death, War, Mental illness, Violence, Alcohol, Body horror, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gun violence, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Death of parent
blewballoon's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
I love Everina Maxwell's writing. It is focused and conveys the plot and characters clearly, while also leaving room for some beautiful flourishes that immerse you further into the story rather than taking you out of it. I loved getting to know these new characters and watching them get to know each other. There were some bits towards the end that I think were meant to be big reveals, but I had sort of assumed those things already and I wasn't as shocked as the characters were, although their shock did make sense in context. Even though I saw things coming, there is still a nice web of political drama to flow along with the slow burn romance. Slow burn romances are my favorite and I appreciate that the author worked with the pacing of the story to pace the romance so you can see it growing and developing at each stage, and it never diverts the main plot or feels forced.
I listened on audiobook (at 1.4 speed) and I think the narrator was great.
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Gun violence, Violence, and War
Minor: Addiction, Drug use, Torture, and Sexual content
avacadosocks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, War, and Drug use
Moderate: Violence, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Sexual content and Torture
nillech's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Addiction, Drug use, and War
Moderate: Violence and Death
Minor: Sexual content
mallorypen's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Recently, I reviewed a book where it was essentially the same model as another book by the same author. In that instance, the comparison was unflattering simply because the first book was superior. I would definitely say that Tennel and Surrit are basically Kiem and Jainan in a different font, but only so far as one is a Sunshine Chaos Monster (who not so secretly hates living in their own heads) and the other one is a Serious Rules 4 Lyfe Stickler (who really just wants a cause to throw the rules away for). Tennel and Surrit were absolutely delicious as characters, and they fit in beautifully amidst the backdrop of an arguably much bigger space opera than Winter’s Orbit.
The neuromodifications in this system play a much larger role, and the societal dynamics are so well done. Readers vs Architects wherein Reading is invasive but low level mind control isn’t shouldn’t have been as believable as it was, but the story was crafted with such a deft hand at defining the setting, I was onboard right away. This novel definitely benefited from the world-building of Winter’s Orbit, and had I read Ocean’s Echo first, I might have struggled getting into the story given the complexities of the Remnants and the Resolution. That said, it was nice to see that the Resolution (which was so important in Book 1) took a backseat to the Remnants (which made cameos in Book 1, but definitely didn’t have the same level of plot importance as it did in Book 2).
The pacing of this book was insane. So much happened, and the driving build of conflict to conflict to conflict was just plain FUN. Surrit’s moral fortitude paired with Tennel’s desperation to escape the sync he’s so scared of was such a good dynamic, and their relationship built so effortlessly around the challenges they faced together.
The overarching plot of coups and coverups was so well done. The chaotic space element / Reader abilities to navigate it was incredibly intriguing. The side characters were fully formed and well utilized in the broader story.
I do think I ultimately enjoyed Winter’s Orbit like, 2% more than Ocean’s Echo, but they’re both glorious five star experiences for me. I hope Everina Maxwell writes a dozen more fabulous space operas.
Minor: Death and Death of parent
kal517's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Addiction, War, and Drug use
Moderate: Violence, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Torture
shelvesofivy's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Cursing, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, Gun violence, Murder, Death, Drug use, and Addiction
Minor: Death of parent and War
imds's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Addiction, Confinement, Death, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Physical abuse, Abandonment, Grief, Torture, War, Violence, Murder, Death of parent, Drug use, and Medical trauma
toph444's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Death and Drug use