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wickedgrumpy's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
The good: I enjoyed the UberChat. I felt that right when that was introduced a different ending could have spawned that turned into a lighthearted rom-com and I like to imagine that.
The bad: I knew pretty early on that this was not going to be a favorite. I don't read a lot of thrillers in general but I enjoy sci-fi so I figured I would give it a shot. I couldn't stand the main character. And thus, the book was doomed in my eyes. The pacing was jumpy, and the plot was predictable (as in, I guessed what really happened in the first chapter and the main character didn't figure it out until the ~50% mark). There was some promise for some thoughtful introspection but the approach was heavy-handed at best. Some of the descriptions were vivid and others were flat out whacky.
I don't know if I will try another book by the author, but I don't think I was the intended audience for this work so who knows what the future holds.
The bad: I knew pretty early on that this was not going to be a favorite. I don't read a lot of thrillers in general but I enjoy sci-fi so I figured I would give it a shot. I couldn't stand the main character. And thus, the book was doomed in my eyes. The pacing was jumpy, and the plot was predictable (as in, I guessed what really happened in the first chapter and the main character didn't figure it out until the ~50% mark). There was some promise for some thoughtful introspection but the approach was heavy-handed at best. Some of the descriptions were vivid and others were flat out whacky.
I don't know if I will try another book by the author, but I don't think I was the intended audience for this work so who knows what the future holds.
Content Warnings
Minor: Abandonment, Body horror, Classism, Confinement, Torture, Pandemic/Epidemic, Rape, Self harm, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Toxic friendship, Drug use, Gaslighting, Gore, Kidnapping, Medical content, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Blood, Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Sexism, Violence, Alcoholism, Cancer, Car accident, Child death, Infidelity, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship
dellydoos's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
1.0
And this is why I don't often read books written by men. Because Dark Matter absolutely reeked of pale, stale male syndrome. It didn't pass the Bechdel test to say the least. In fact, I'd be surprised if it passed any tests just because of how stupid this book was.
Let's start with the writing, shall we? Prepare yourself for a masterclass in corny writing and vague description, because all attempts at creating suspense and intrigue fell flat in this book. It's as if the author was trying to be mysterious and profound, but instead ended up being frustratingly unclear and monotonous. He repeatedly slaps you in the face with the message that life is valuable and that we shouldn't take things for granted, like thank you Dr Phil, now let me get back to my Love Island reruns. The same phrases and descriptions are regurgitated ad nauseam and felt weak. And sometimes my man Crouch didn’t even like to write in full sentences sometimes. Using full stops and line breaks like he’s writing poetry for 7th grade.
I hate.
This.
Book.
As a reader, I expected a book called Dark Matter to explore the wonders of science, but instead, there’s not one reference to dark matter, or any fucking matter for what it’s worth. This is a pitiful attempt at science fiction, where the science is painfully simplified, and the author seems more interested in throwing around random scientific terms to impress rather than educate. Take our main character for instance, Jason. He’s supposed to be this incredibly intelligent physics lecturer and scientist. So why was it, that I was piecing everything together well before he was? If you enjoy witnessing a main character being touted as intelligent only to witness them make one stupid decision after the other, then have I got a book for you.
But wait, there's an additional insult to injury for those who value feminist storytelling. Because Dark Matter fails here on multiple levels. Daniela, the so-called “the wife character,” (quotation marks to indicate how stereotypical it all was) is reduced to a mere caricature, enduring a horrific fate that includes being killed, raped by deception, and shamelessly sexualized. What I love most of all about these aspects is the way that Crouch does not address them or even really acknowledges them at all in his writing. It’s almost as there was no critical thinking, or even a sensitivity reader for this book. So if someone wants to tell me what the hell, “dark Spanish eyes,” means, that’d be great. I’d also like to point out that I wasn’t entirely sure if Daniela was a WOC or not (I skim-read majority of this book), but if she is that then makes this representation all the shittier.
I just wasn’t impressed with this book. The plot may have been more interesting if it wasn’t super predictable. Jason was a pain in my ass and played too much into the “everyman” trope to be memorable. And you know what the saddest part about this review is? I originally was only going to give this book 2 stars, but then I got to the rape-by-deception bit and said no way buddy.
1/5 stars.
Let's start with the writing, shall we? Prepare yourself for a masterclass in corny writing and vague description, because all attempts at creating suspense and intrigue fell flat in this book. It's as if the author was trying to be mysterious and profound, but instead ended up being frustratingly unclear and monotonous. He repeatedly slaps you in the face with the message that life is valuable and that we shouldn't take things for granted, like thank you Dr Phil, now let me get back to my Love Island reruns. The same phrases and descriptions are regurgitated ad nauseam and felt weak. And sometimes my man Crouch didn’t even like to write in full sentences sometimes. Using full stops and line breaks like he’s writing poetry for 7th grade.
I hate.
This.
Book.
As a reader, I expected a book called Dark Matter to explore the wonders of science, but instead, there’s not one reference to dark matter, or any fucking matter for what it’s worth. This is a pitiful attempt at science fiction, where the science is painfully simplified, and the author seems more interested in throwing around random scientific terms to impress rather than educate. Take our main character for instance, Jason. He’s supposed to be this incredibly intelligent physics lecturer and scientist. So why was it, that I was piecing everything together well before he was? If you enjoy witnessing a main character being touted as intelligent only to witness them make one stupid decision after the other, then have I got a book for you.
But wait, there's an additional insult to injury for those who value feminist storytelling. Because Dark Matter fails here on multiple levels. Daniela, the so-called “the wife character,” (quotation marks to indicate how stereotypical it all was) is reduced to a mere caricature, enduring a horrific fate that includes being killed, raped by deception, and shamelessly sexualized. What I love most of all about these aspects is the way that Crouch does not address them or even really acknowledges them at all in his writing. It’s almost as there was no critical thinking, or even a sensitivity reader for this book. So if someone wants to tell me what the hell, “dark Spanish eyes,” means, that’d be great. I’d also like to point out that I wasn’t entirely sure if Daniela was a WOC or not (I skim-read majority of this book), but if she is that then makes this representation all the shittier.
I just wasn’t impressed with this book. The plot may have been more interesting if it wasn’t super predictable. Jason was a pain in my ass and played too much into the “everyman” trope to be memorable. And you know what the saddest part about this review is? I originally was only going to give this book 2 stars, but then I got to the rape-by-deception bit and said no way buddy.
1/5 stars.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Sexism
Minor: Sexual content
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