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vshah's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
kimbermorgan's review against another edition
3.0
All I can say is that this book left me feeling...unsure. I wanted more from the ending, to be honest. I’m wondering if it was left open ended on purpose for the potential of a second book?
I also think there were so many opportunities to develop this just a little further. There were descriptions that left me feeling confused, and I was wanting more clarification.
Overall, I hope to get more. I want to know more about what happens next.
I also think there were so many opportunities to develop this just a little further. There were descriptions that left me feeling confused, and I was wanting more clarification.
Overall, I hope to get more. I want to know more about what happens next.
touchegiantsquid's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
rachel_foucar's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
maddoxx's review against another edition
5.0
I don't care much for Science Fiction or aliens or Transformers.
There's definitely exceptions to this rule, but it just so happens that the topic in general doesn't interest me much as a setting for fiction.
I know this premise is supposed to be somewhat based on the Transformers (I wouldn't know, I've never really seen Transformers, neither the original nor the movies with Shia LaBeouf) but I can't really say anything on that. To me, the designs of the aliens felt refreshing and I found myself actually NOT skimming over the rather technical descriptions, which I had fully anticipated.
The story sucked me in right from the first page - I had planned to read maybe a page or two when I saw the book in the store I work at because I like Lindsay Ellis and I'd heard she wrote a book. (And also because I like "Monster x Human" romances like Shape of Water.) And then I just... couldn't put it down. I had to buy it imemdiately. Unfortunately, I still had to take big breaks between reading because there were other books that needed to be read for work... but when I finally got back to Axiom's End it greeted me like an old friend.
Cora is smart, but not very academic, which put the writing style on a nice middle ground and made the experience for me engaging while also ensuring a good dynamic between Ampersand and Cora. English isn't my first language but I was still able to follow their conversations (and all the protocol back and forth, including military and politics), so another big plus that prevented me from having to take breaks.
The pacing was very good. It felt a little rushed in the end? But that might have honestly been a combination of me rushing through it because of excitement and the fact that, well, an action-packed climax usually means everything's happening at once.
Still think Ellis did a wonderful job and while I know nothing about the American military, CIA or alien sightings and you could probably easily tell me anything and I'd believe it, there wasn't any point where my immersion was broken and I thought "okay, THAT would never happen".
So... yeah! Absolutely recommend this book. It was a fun and very engaging read.
There's definitely exceptions to this rule, but it just so happens that the topic in general doesn't interest me much as a setting for fiction.
I know this premise is supposed to be somewhat based on the Transformers (I wouldn't know, I've never really seen Transformers, neither the original nor the movies with Shia LaBeouf) but I can't really say anything on that. To me, the designs of the aliens felt refreshing and I found myself actually NOT skimming over the rather technical descriptions, which I had fully anticipated.
The story sucked me in right from the first page - I had planned to read maybe a page or two when I saw the book in the store I work at because I like Lindsay Ellis and I'd heard she wrote a book. (And also because I like "Monster x Human" romances like Shape of Water.) And then I just... couldn't put it down. I had to buy it imemdiately. Unfortunately, I still had to take big breaks between reading because there were other books that needed to be read for work... but when I finally got back to Axiom's End it greeted me like an old friend.
Cora is smart, but not very academic, which put the writing style on a nice middle ground and made the experience for me engaging while also ensuring a good dynamic between Ampersand and Cora. English isn't my first language but I was still able to follow their conversations (and all the protocol back and forth, including military and politics), so another big plus that prevented me from having to take breaks.
The pacing was very good. It felt a little rushed in the end? But that might have honestly been a combination of me rushing through it because of excitement and the fact that, well, an action-packed climax usually means everything's happening at once.
Still think Ellis did a wonderful job and while I know nothing about the American military, CIA or alien sightings and you could probably easily tell me anything and I'd believe it, there wasn't any point where my immersion was broken and I thought "okay, THAT would never happen".
So... yeah! Absolutely recommend this book. It was a fun and very engaging read.
shandyt's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars, rounded down.
I watch Lindsay Ellis' videos religiously when they come out, for fun, informative takes on pop culture analysis. Unfortunately, her debut novel is not nearly as entertaining. First contact is one of my favorite tropes, with so many opportunities to explore characterization, culture, language, etc. Somehow, the first 2/3 of this book manages to squander all that potential, and is boring and confusing as a result. I believe the main character is meant to be a likable screwup-type, but is heavy on the 'screw-up' and light on the 'likable'. There is nothing in her background to motivate her behavior and the choices she makes, nor by the final 1/3 of the story has she done anything particularly active. That last third is where things start to get better—much better. It almost reads like a really good book from thereon out. I only wish the first 2/3 had been that entertaining.
I watch Lindsay Ellis' videos religiously when they come out, for fun, informative takes on pop culture analysis. Unfortunately, her debut novel is not nearly as entertaining. First contact is one of my favorite tropes, with so many opportunities to explore characterization, culture, language, etc. Somehow, the first 2/3 of this book manages to squander all that potential, and is boring and confusing as a result. I believe the main character is meant to be a likable screwup-type, but is heavy on the 'screw-up' and light on the 'likable'. There is nothing in her background to motivate her behavior and the choices she makes, nor by the final 1/3 of the story has she done anything particularly active. That last third is where things start to get better—much better. It almost reads like a really good book from thereon out. I only wish the first 2/3 had been that entertaining.
lbird's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
rynnikins's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
dmpadre's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0