Scan barcode
lberestecki's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't love anything about this book, but it was a fun and quick read. I thought it could have used some serious editing - at times it felt a bit repetitive. I also felt like it would have been better if it had been divided into two books - the last third of the book had a different storyline (although it did tie in to earlier incidents) and I was left with a lot of questions at the end. The other thing that kept me from loving the book was Athena. I didn't find her particularly likable, and so it was tough for me to get too interested in what happened to her. I did think a lot of the secondary characters were really interesting (Kath, Kit's parents, Nat, etc.), so I would have enjoyed the book more if there had been more of them.
Overall I enjoyed this book enough that I would recommend it to sci-fi fans who want an interesting but easy read.
Overall I enjoyed this book enough that I would recommend it to sci-fi fans who want an interesting but easy read.
josephholsten's review
I’m not sure it’s written well at all, but it comes to mind often. Especially reading most any work with an ubermensch second estate. Sure libertarian romantic sci-fi is not as gripping as the Mockingjay cycle, but it does have at least a little more history fleshed out in its world building.
It’s hard to praise anything here that isn’t better demonstrated in the Red Rising cycle.
Or if you really want libertarian sci-fi, go read son Ursula K. Le Guin or Nancy Kress. Why no, it’s not as ideologically pure as Rand’s Anthem. That’s a good thing.
It’s hard to praise anything here that isn’t better demonstrated in the Red Rising cycle.
Or if you really want libertarian sci-fi, go read son Ursula K. Le Guin or Nancy Kress. Why no, it’s not as ideologically pure as Rand’s Anthem. That’s a good thing.
jmartindf's review
3.0
I've been thinking about this book for several days and I'm still not sure what to think about it. I like the concept of the Mules and Earth's sketchy history with genetic engineering. The backstory is believable. The central character, perhaps less so. It was interesting. It was fun. But, ultimately, I felt like some of the central tensions were resolved too easily. Athena Hera Sinistra is fiercely independent, combative, and assertive except when she's not. It felt very uneven and not all that "real".
bookstuff's review
4.0
I really enjoyed the lead character. Talk about kicking ass & taking names. Fun read.
leticiatoraci's review
2.0
(If I knew this author was a key person in the Sad Puppies voting campaign before I would not have picked this book, but as it is I won't be supporting this author in the future.)
The plot with the "Mules" was entertaining, even if the reader mostly gets 'told' the key aspects of it. The heroine was very much a Mary Sue and Kit, the one dimensional love interest, had a weird backstory where he had a quarrel which resulted in his ex-wife suicide, but that was quickly forgiven and forgotten once he got involved with the 'perfect' Mary Sue style heroine. (I hate stories where it's implied that there aren't guys who fail at a relationship but only guys with the "wrong" woman as a partner, and that once they get a subservient and young new partner their relationship will be then without any issues whatsoever.)
The villain was very one dimensional too and had a very unbelievable "let's dominate the world" plan.
I won't be continuing the series.
Spoiler
The plot with the "Mules" was entertaining, even if the reader mostly gets 'told' the key aspects of it. The heroine was very much a Mary Sue and Kit, the one dimensional love interest, had a weird backstory where he had a quarrel which resulted in his ex-wife suicide, but that was quickly forgiven and forgotten once he got involved with the 'perfect' Mary Sue style heroine. (I hate stories where it's implied that there aren't guys who fail at a relationship but only guys with the "wrong" woman as a partner, and that once they get a subservient and young new partner their relationship will be then without any issues whatsoever.)
The villain was very one dimensional too and had a very unbelievable "let's dominate the world" plan.
I won't be continuing the series.
julesmcleish's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? No
4.25
reginaexmachina's review
Maybe I was just being extra judgmental when I tried reading this or I just just in a grumpy mood but when a book starts off with someone whining, particularly sounding spoiled and whining, I just can't take it. Another DNF.
elsiemookow's review
3.0
It has been a while since I read a good classic science fiction book, and this fits the bill. Overall, the writing style was great, and the world building was spot-on. I did; however, had trouble with the characters- they were strangely one-dimensional and almost bland. The story started great, then in the last 50 pages, it seemed like the author got tired of writing and tried to tie every together quickly without explaining things well.
I would read more books by Sarah Hoyt, especially set in the same world.
I would read more books by Sarah Hoyt, especially set in the same world.
biddywink's review
2.0
I liked parts of this book.
This book is not well-written. It very badly needed a good editor.
I did not like the beginning of this book. The poor writing was very much getting to me and I did not like the main character, Athena Hera Sinistra. And that name, I mean, come on. At least her nickname, Thena, was better. And that cover? *shudder*
I read this book for the Vaginal Fantasy Book Club. So when I decided to give up on it at about p. 70 or so, I went on the Goodreads forum for the group to see what other people thought of the book. I read some other members of the book club had similar responses to the book, though many stuck with the story and said it got better; that is, the story got better, but NOT the writing. One person recommended to "treat this book like you would a dumb action movie – the premise is weak, but it's all right if you just lower your expectations, sit back, and enjoy the explosions." Also, the wordbuilding was supposed to be interesting and good.
With this in mind, I picked it back up and powered through it, skimming often, while laying all day in bed to rest my messed-up hip.
The wordbuiling is interesting and I liked it. I am glad that I finished the book, for the story. Because the writing NEVER GOT BETTER.
I liked Kit, Thena's bioengineered love interest. I groaned when he was initially introduced, since the bioengineering made him look like a cat in certain aspects. I accepted that rather quickly, though, and ended up very much enjoying his character and his relationship with Thena. And Kit had a good influence on Thena's character, thank goodness. I liked Thena more once she found someone to love and who loved her.
Despite liking parts of this book, I would not pick up more books by this author and possibly not from this publisher.
This book is not well-written. It very badly needed a good editor.
I did not like the beginning of this book. The poor writing was very much getting to me and I did not like the main character, Athena Hera Sinistra. And that name, I mean, come on. At least her nickname, Thena, was better. And that cover? *shudder*
I read this book for the Vaginal Fantasy Book Club. So when I decided to give up on it at about p. 70 or so, I went on the Goodreads forum for the group to see what other people thought of the book. I read some other members of the book club had similar responses to the book, though many stuck with the story and said it got better; that is, the story got better, but NOT the writing. One person recommended to "treat this book like you would a dumb action movie – the premise is weak, but it's all right if you just lower your expectations, sit back, and enjoy the explosions." Also, the wordbuilding was supposed to be interesting and good.
With this in mind, I picked it back up and powered through it, skimming often, while laying all day in bed to rest my messed-up hip.
The wordbuiling is interesting and I liked it. I am glad that I finished the book, for the story. Because the writing NEVER GOT BETTER.
I liked Kit, Thena's bioengineered love interest. I groaned when he was initially introduced, since the bioengineering made him look like a cat in certain aspects. I accepted that rather quickly, though, and ended up very much enjoying his character and his relationship with Thena. And Kit had a good influence on Thena's character, thank goodness. I liked Thena more once she found someone to love and who loved her.
Despite liking parts of this book, I would not pick up more books by this author and possibly not from this publisher.