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spaghettii's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
Space gays ftw why was the only sex scene in the epilogue smh
Content Warnings
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
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
themelodyofspring's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Confinement, War, Forced institutionalization, Suicidal thoughts, Drug abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
blewballoon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
5.0
I didn't know how this book would compare to Winter's Orbit. What got me most interested in that book was the arranged marriage plot, and then I found myself more and more invested in the political intrigue and found family aspects. Here we have the concept of a forced mental link rather than a forced marriage, which plays out a bit differently. Also like in Winter's Orbit, we have a character who is more rambunctious paired with a character who is more steadfast, and yet they also feel different. I think either story could be read as a standalone, but perhaps the world building might feel more steep if you jumped in at this book. The author has stated that there is no overlap in characters or locations, and that's an accurate statement from my recollection of the first book.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Gun violence, Violence, and War
Minor: Addiction, Drug use, Torture, and Sexual content
relin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I found myself highlighting different lines because they hit so hard emotionally. Facisniating to see a world that is altered in this way and how it impacts the main characters (Tennal and Serit) think and understand the world. The picture it paints is beautiful in the middle of a ton of intergalactic politics of people trying their best. Also has an amazing structure of gender.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Grief, War, Addiction, Confinement, Cursing, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Medical trauma, Sexual content, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Death of parent
Minor: Gun violence
There are power dynamics built into the ways that 'magic' (scifi magic anyway) is seen in their world. This includes ideas about people being able to overwrite commands on other people.avacadosocks's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, War, and Drug use
Moderate: Violence, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Sexual content and Torture
mallorypen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
Oh HELL yes.
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.
Surrit’s slow burn of wanting Tennel - chef’s fucking kiss. Tennel finding that Surrit doesn’t get tired of his idiosyncrasies and that Tennel finds a solid love for him vs a bright and brief flare - DELICIOUS. I did want more of the romance … because I’m me … but their ability to fully form the other from floating in space by knowing and accepting each other so deeply was like candy. UNF.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Death of parent
kal517's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, War, and Drug use
Moderate: Violence, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Torture
shelvesofivy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Cursing, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, Gun violence, Murder, Death, Drug use, and Addiction
Minor: Death of parent and War
quasinaut's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.75
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Rule-abiding Surit and chaotic Tennal were delights. Dual narratives can be tricky to pull off, but these two had such distinct personalities and histories and incentives and insecurities and, and, and. It really worked for me.
I feel like the story took a while to find its footing, but once things were underway, I was fully along for the ride.
I feel like the story took a while to find its footing, but once things were underway, I was fully along for the ride.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement and Murder
Minor: Death of parent, Drug use, and Sexual content