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myfrogmonster's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this one! Ok, I love this whole series. I am looking forward to more of Ella and Io.
kevinhendricks's review against another edition
4.0
This is kind of a reboot of the Tao series, though I think you could skip that series and still know what's going on—though there is a lot of backstory that it helps to know. It follows new characters—a new Quasing and a new host—though some old friends show up as well. It's similar to the Tao series in that Ella accidentally falls into the world just like Roen, but it's bit better in that she gets to remain herself, somewhat. It's fast paced and fun. Enough of a stand alone story, though it does set up a sequel as well.
sarahvinnet's review against another edition
5.0
Finally! A young, determined, world-wise and naive, powerful female main character. I loved the Indian slum setting—great to get out of the US.
The fifth installation of the Tao series digs into even more interesting shades of gray. It invites readers to question the assumptions and viewpoints established in the previous four stories.
I had a blast with this book, but I was disappointed to find that it was the latest Tao book so far. I hope this isn’t where the series leaves off, as I found it an unsatisfying ending.
The fifth installation of the Tao series digs into even more interesting shades of gray
Spoiler
by pitting host against symbiontI had a blast with this book, but I was disappointed to find that it was the latest Tao book so far. I hope this isn’t where the series leaves off, as I found it an unsatisfying ending.
mpeterke's review against another edition
4.0
Although I've heard about the author several times, somehow I missed reading any of his works up until now. It seems that it has been a mistake. I devoured this book in like 3 sittings. I think the whole idea is really good, also the worldbuilding is really exciting. The dialogues are really witty and I often found myself laughing out loud while reading. The whole thing may be a little YA-ish, but I didn't mind it at all. I immediately purchased the next book in the series and plan the explore his other books as well.
Really solid 4 stars.
Really solid 4 stars.
liekeb's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my lordy! After reading the Tao books I thought I knew what I was getting myself into, but this book is at a whole different level. Not only does it have a non-white, non-Western protagonist, which is an awesome change, but the Quasing is also very different from Tao. I am trying not to give anything away, but there is a twist in the second half of the book that once I read it I realised I should have already seen coming. So many subtle hints, leading up to such a good subversion of, well, lots of things... In short, after a slow start I really fell in love with the book, and can heartily recommend it.
damarisr's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
neonila's review against another edition
4.0
I'm internally screaming because I loved this! Ella? My boo. Cameron? My bae. Io? I love and hate that motherfucker at the same time.
ekfmef's review against another edition
3.0
Prepare for a rather shallow female character and an 'interesting' depiction of poverty. However, the premise is great, so if you liked the Tao series, go read it!
luftschlosseule's review against another edition
4.0
trigger warning
being orphaned, grief, trauma, the dog dies, torture
suzjustsuz's review against another edition
4.0
Perhaps a 3.5ish, maybe a little more.
I'm confused about whether or not this is supposed to be a stand alone or will be a series. If it's the former then it ended with a lot of unresolved issues, if it's the latter then it still ended with a lot of unresolved issues and read a bit like a world building book. The characters are all quite difficult to warm up to, particularly the MCs of this first book, and there was never a clear sense of anyone that could be trusted at all.
Also, I didn't realize that the MC was going to be 17? 19? going on 12. The story provides reason for this paradigm in the MC, and it certainly will enable plenty of character growth if the book becomes a series, but it was more time than I wanted to spend in the head of an angsty but plucky, defiantly surly teen with abandonment issues. Then again, YA isn't my best thing.
Still, I'd be willing to read another to see where it was going. It's an interesting take on the alien-invader-body-snatcher, trust-no-one tropes.
ETA: I just learned that this is a spinoff book (although I'm still not sure if it will be a series) of another trilogy by this author called Tao. I may go back and read the original trilogy and see if it enriches my thoughts about this book.
I'm confused about whether or not this is supposed to be a stand alone or will be a series. If it's the former then it ended with a lot of unresolved issues, if it's the latter then it still ended with a lot of unresolved issues and read a bit like a world building book. The characters are all quite difficult to warm up to, particularly the MCs of this first book, and there was never a clear sense of anyone that could be trusted at all.
Also, I didn't realize that the MC was going to be 17? 19? going on 12. The story provides reason for this paradigm in the MC, and it certainly will enable plenty of character growth if the book becomes a series, but it was more time than I wanted to spend in the head of an angsty but plucky, defiantly surly teen with abandonment issues. Then again, YA isn't my best thing.
Still, I'd be willing to read another to see where it was going. It's an interesting take on the alien-invader-body-snatcher, trust-no-one tropes.
ETA: I just learned that this is a spinoff book (although I'm still not sure if it will be a series) of another trilogy by this author called Tao. I may go back and read the original trilogy and see if it enriches my thoughts about this book.