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tashas_books's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
I love the world-building in this series, especially since (or maybe because) I have a degree in anthropology.
EDIT 12/15/2016:
I just finished reading this again. For the fourth time (and second time in 6 months). It's soooo good and I love the world-building so much that I can't help it! I've been in a bit of a reading slump and I think this was just the remedy.
I love the world-building in this series, especially since (or maybe because) I have a degree in anthropology.
EDIT 12/15/2016:
I just finished reading this again. For the fourth time (and second time in 6 months). It's soooo good and I love the world-building so much that I can't help it! I've been in a bit of a reading slump and I think this was just the remedy.
human_once's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
teresab78's review against another edition
5.0
I reread this and I think I liked it more than the first time. Liam is so confused and hurt and the Rownt way of things so different from human. I loved Ondry and his care of Liam.
Previously:
Really enjoyed this. The D/S was light but done well. I liked how the different culture of the Rownt related to human ideas and vice versa. Not much angst and what little conflict there was was resolved quickly.
Previously:
Really enjoyed this. The D/S was light but done well. I liked how the different culture of the Rownt related to human ideas and vice versa. Not much angst and what little conflict there was was resolved quickly.
indiekay's review against another edition
5.0
4.5
I read this book at some point in 2020 and was really in the mood for a scifi romance, so I decided to pick these up again because I remembered enjoying them but couldn't remember that many plot details. I did the audiobook format this time, and I really enjoyed revisiting these books! I think this first book is probably the most solid in the whole series, and I love the world building and character dynamics.
I read this book at some point in 2020 and was really in the mood for a scifi romance, so I decided to pick these up again because I remembered enjoying them but couldn't remember that many plot details. I did the audiobook format this time, and I really enjoyed revisiting these books! I think this first book is probably the most solid in the whole series, and I love the world building and character dynamics.
aniya_'s review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
duncks's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.25
greystory's review
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Updating Review after reading books 1-4 in series.
If you enjoy:
* Language barrier
* Linguistics
* Etymology
* Linguistics and etymology in terms of where they overlap with social and cultural values and history and learning about a new species based on language
* Alien romance
Then this is a DELIGHT!
Additional things to note:
* M/M
* Use of tail during sex
* Sex means very different things for the humans and Rownt and therefore the Rownt perform sex with other Rownt without romantic attachment at all - that includes our MMC alien - so I get that may feel like cheating to some folks but it was very, VERY clear that it's not and Liam has to work through feelings about that
* Human version of sex is only performed between Ondry and Liam
* Sexual trauma, war, PTSD, and mental health are a very central part of Liam's story
First off, the aliens look nothing like the cover. They're 7-9ft tall, turtle-esque, purple, tailed, live much longer than humans (like, over a thousand years), and have massively different social, cultural, and linguistic differences from humans. One of the best things about this is getting to explore those differences and experience the main human MMC Liam, a linguist, try to navigate those differences without offending the alien race, the Rownt. I really loved that they were truly very different - from the way they trade to the value (or lack thereof) they place on technology to language to sex (not pleasurable for the Rownt and done purely for procreation), it was so different. There are even more challenges met when Liam is taken under Ondry's wing as his palteia, and Liam trying to understand what that really means.
When I say etymology and linguistics and language barrier, I mean they get into very detailed discussions about meanings of words and the human has to learn how to use pronouns and conjugate verbs correctly and learn to interpret body language and it takes YEARS. There is NO magical translator. If you would find this dry or boring, then it's not for you.
The reason I went back and gave this 4/5 from the original 4.5 rounded up to 5 stars is that each book in the series suffers from the same issue where the overall plot feels a bit too rushed and abruptly resolved at the end of the book. I would have liked a bit more plot development in each book.
I would have also liked it if there was some sense of closure in the final book. It's not a cliffhanger by any means but it doesn't feel like a series finale either, and it's really unclear to me if there are plans for more of Ondry and Liam's story or not. It also feels like there are so many more unanswered questions about the other alien species in this world and unexplored opportunities in this universe that I would LOVE to see. I'm commenting this on the FIRST book and not the last so that anyone interested in the series knows what they're getting into.
I listened to the audiobook and liked the narration.
If you enjoy:
* Language barrier
* Linguistics
* Etymology
* Linguistics and etymology in terms of where they overlap with social and cultural values and history and learning about a new species based on language
* Alien romance
Then this is a DELIGHT!
Additional things to note:
* M/M
* Use of tail during sex
* Sex means very different things for the humans and Rownt and therefore the Rownt perform sex with other Rownt without romantic attachment at all - that includes our MMC alien - so I get that may feel like cheating to some folks but it was very, VERY clear that it's not and Liam has to work through feelings about that
* Human version of sex is only performed between Ondry and Liam
* Sexual trauma, war, PTSD, and mental health are a very central part of Liam's story
First off, the aliens look nothing like the cover. They're 7-9ft tall, turtle-esque, purple, tailed, live much longer than humans (like, over a thousand years), and have massively different social, cultural, and linguistic differences from humans. One of the best things about this is getting to explore those differences and experience the main human MMC Liam, a linguist, try to navigate those differences without offending the alien race, the Rownt. I really loved that they were truly very different - from the way they trade to the value (or lack thereof) they place on technology to language to sex (not pleasurable for the Rownt and done purely for procreation), it was so different. There are even more challenges met when Liam is taken under Ondry's wing as his palteia, and Liam trying to understand what that really means.
When I say etymology and linguistics and language barrier, I mean they get into very detailed discussions about meanings of words and the human has to learn how to use pronouns and conjugate verbs correctly and learn to interpret body language and it takes YEARS. There is NO magical translator. If you would find this dry or boring, then it's not for you.
The reason I went back and gave this 4/5 from the original 4.5 rounded up to 5 stars is that each book in the series suffers from the same issue where the overall plot feels a bit too rushed and abruptly resolved at the end of the book. I would have liked a bit more plot development in each book.
I would have also liked it if there was some sense of closure in the final book. It's not a cliffhanger by any means but it doesn't feel like a series finale either, and it's really unclear to me if there are plans for more of Ondry and Liam's story or not. It also feels like there are so many more unanswered questions about the other alien species in this world and unexplored opportunities in this universe that I would LOVE to see. I'm commenting this on the FIRST book and not the last so that anyone interested in the series knows what they're getting into.
I listened to the audiobook and liked the narration.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Mental illness
Minor: War
kristinafh's review against another edition
5.0
3.5 stars
Around the 2/3 part of the book / I got it. I finally understood that this was a basic but rich story about two individuals who felt a d's relationship strongly. It wasn't just a fad for them. Each mc was born to fulfill their role.
I am inclined to read the next in the series to see if the writing becomes a little crisper. All in all, the underlying theme is beautiful.
5 stars
Audiobook version - I’m a goner.
Around the 2/3 part of the book / I got it. I finally understood that this was a basic but rich story about two individuals who felt a d's relationship strongly. It wasn't just a fad for them. Each mc was born to fulfill their role.
I am inclined to read the next in the series to see if the writing becomes a little crisper. All in all, the underlying theme is beautiful.
5 stars
Audiobook version - I’m a goner.
blandrea_reads's review against another edition
5.0
I picked this up because I enjoyed Earth Fathers / Husbands books.
I grab a book like this with a pretty whimsical title thinking "Sweet! Alien romance, let's do this!" and suddenly, I'm faced with an incredibly nuanced book about inter cultural communication, trade, cultural hierarchy, and interplanetary politics. I really shouldn't have been surprised, since these were all the parts that I loved about Earth Fathers! (Hands up anyone who was just there for the tentacles? No? Just me? The kiddos are adorable!)
You might want to check content warnings because this book doesn't pull any punches content wise. Alot of the triggering incidents happen off page, but living with the aftermath is real.
But explaining concepts like sex work, or assault, or kink or socio-economic disadvantage with a language and a culture barrier, and finding consent and care and connection with so many barriers.
Chef kiss.
I grab a book like this with a pretty whimsical title thinking "Sweet! Alien romance, let's do this!" and suddenly, I'm faced with an incredibly nuanced book about inter cultural communication, trade, cultural hierarchy, and interplanetary politics. I really shouldn't have been surprised, since these were all the parts that I loved about Earth Fathers! (Hands up anyone who was just there for the tentacles? No? Just me? The kiddos are adorable!)
You might want to check content warnings because this book doesn't pull any punches content wise. Alot of the triggering incidents happen off page, but living with the aftermath is real.
But explaining concepts like sex work, or assault, or kink or socio-economic disadvantage with a language and a culture barrier, and finding consent and care and connection with so many barriers.
Chef kiss.
psghayleaux's review against another edition
4.0
Read it all in one sitting during a bad case of insomnia. Not a perfect book but a good time all the same.