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starlitpage's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
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
gardens_and_dragons's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book is a highly political story with a threat of Civil War at its core, with a romance sprinkled in. Honestly, the main plot could be summed up is how are people in power abuse the power they have over others.
The writing style was beautiful and intricate, it had so many perfect Syfy elements, and realized in such a vivid detail
I think that the subplot that focuses on the struggles with mental health and self destructive decisions of one of the main characters was well done, and thoughtful in it’s execution.
While the romance isn’t the main focus of the book for me, it IS one of the more beautiful romances that I have read in a long time. The book touches on aspects of consent, trust and communication, all while being able to navigate really stressful situations with a partner. SO WONDERFUL.
The writing style was beautiful and intricate, it had so many perfect Syfy elements, and realized in such a vivid detail
I think that the subplot that focuses on the struggles with mental health and self destructive decisions of one of the main characters was well done, and thoughtful in it’s execution.
While the romance isn’t the main focus of the book for me, it IS one of the more beautiful romances that I have read in a long time. The book touches on aspects of consent, trust and communication, all while being able to navigate really stressful situations with a partner. SO WONDERFUL.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Drug abuse
Moderate: War and Gun violence
Mind controldiscarded_dust_jacket's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wow. It’s been a while since I had a reading experience this immersive. I enjoyed this book even more than Winter’s Orbit and that’s saying something.
I am obsessed with Tennal and Surit. I think the relationship dynamic where one person is an earnest, honorable, controlled type with encyclopedic knowledge of rules and regulations, while the other is a petulant, rebellious, flirtatious chaos gremlin might just be my new favorite.
I loved the way it seemed like Surit rescuing Tennal from losing himself (not just within the sync but in the void of space), is such a strong allegory for the way that those of us struggling with depression are tempted to surrender ourselves to the lies our mind is telling us about our worth, and how we sometimes need someone to ground us by reminding us of the truths about ourselves—truths we might not be able to see from our vantage point.
I also loved—and I don’t know if this was intentional—the way this story kind of turned the sci-fi/fantasy romance trope of a “soul bond” on its head and turned it into something dangerous. There’s so many stories about protagonists in a romance who develop this telepathic connection wherein they’re able to feel what their partner is feeling and hear what they’re thinking, and this is often something the reader is rooting for—something to be celebrated.
But here it feels like the author is asking us to consider: “Would that truly be healthy? What if it resembled something destructive? What if it led to the parties involved losing themselves as individuals?”
Overall, I really really really loved this book.
I am obsessed with Tennal and Surit. I think the relationship dynamic where one person is an earnest, honorable, controlled type with encyclopedic knowledge of rules and regulations, while the other is a petulant, rebellious, flirtatious chaos gremlin might just be my new favorite.
I also loved—and I don’t know if this was intentional—the way this story kind of turned the sci-fi/fantasy romance trope of a “soul bond” on its head and turned it into something dangerous. There’s so many stories about protagonists in a romance who develop this telepathic connection wherein they’re able to feel what their partner is feeling and hear what they’re thinking, and this is often something the reader is rooting for—something to be celebrated.
But here it feels like the author is asking us to consider: “Would that truly be healthy? What if it resembled something destructive? What if it led to the parties involved losing themselves as individuals?”
Overall, I really really really loved this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Confinement, Death of parent, Drug abuse, and Mental illness
Moderate: War
wilybooklover's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Kidnapping, Confinement, Grief, Mental illness, Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Addiction, and Violence
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, War, Suicide attempt, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content
astropova's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Kidnapping, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Racism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , War, Death, Confinement, and Mental illness
The latter half / last third of this book has a lot of trippy scenes involving POV characters being unable to be fully conscious of their own bodies/existence. I think this could cause a problem for people that need content warnings for dissociation or something similar.shays's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Ocean’s Echo is set in the same universe as Winter’s Orbit, but otherwise stands alone with little crossover. Orshan, like Iskat, is part of the Resolution but wary of its influence. Neuromodified readers and architects are forbidden by the Resolution to leave Orshan space, and Orshan has done everything in its power to avoid drawing attention to their military use of these assets. In terms of genre, it’s neither entirely science fiction nor really romance, and I think this may be a sticking point for some readers as everyone will be looking for a different balance of these two elements. This installment has an even slower burn on the romance side than its predecessor, pushing the balance slightly towards science fiction.
Full review: https://shayshortt.com/2022/12/13/oceans-echo/
Full review: https://shayshortt.com/2022/12/13/oceans-echo/
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
xompeii's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
5.0
Everina Maxwell has done it again. A rich and exciting story. Emotional, dark, with twists you don't see coming. And a need to save the goats.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Mental illness
ailsaod's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
5.0
I was eagerly anticipating this book for the whole year after reading Winter's Orbit and it was certainly worth the wait! There are undeniable similarities between the two books - two guys get forced together by circumstances, end up in the middle of some kind of military plot and fall in love along the way. The basic character types of the two leads is even somewhat similar. However, despite having similar overall structures I would say that this book is much more complex in both the worldbuilding and the plot. The exact tropes in this book were not so much to my taste so Winter's Orbit remains my ultimate favourite but Maxwell has convinced me that I can enjoy a story heavily featuring weird telepathic bonds and a main character that in real life would be my worst nightmare!
I look forward to seeing what Maxwell writes next!
I look forward to seeing what Maxwell writes next!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Confinement, Grief, and War
Minor: Drug use, Addiction, Death of parent, and Torture
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