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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
To be honest, I'm really sad that I didn't really enjoy this book since I usually really enjoy Maria V. Snyder's books.
If I could say one thing about, it would be that there's so much happening but at the same time there's nothing happening. What I mean is that Snyder seems to try and fit a lot of action and romance but, at least in my opinion, I feel like things aren't properly developed or teased out. For example, majority of the novel really pushes for this romance and relationship between what's-her-name and what's-his-name, and the events later in the novel are all *i love u so much so im gonna do this big sacrifice etc etc wow tru love*. But in reality, all the development we get is literally the main character staring across the room, thinking 'wow he's such a hot rugged type that badass and my age' and suddenly they're kissing for no particular reason, there's some sexual tension for like 2 days and now they're soulmates???
And another thing, the whole premise of the novel is that the main character is some badass, amazing hacker that can save the whole world because she has some natural talent for hacking. For me, it was just hard to really invest in this storyline because for the first few chapters, the only allusion to her hacking abilities is her *occasional* hacking to access emails or something. When she goes on a ship, it's like suddenly she can hack into top secret codes that not even government employees and do because they're too goody-goody. And another thing, there is later mention that people on the security team on ships used to be good hackers or something, which is why they gravitate towards security and 'clean up'. If this is the case, this must mean that they must retain those skills, so you're really telling me that this random teen who worms her way through the net superficially and *casually* has such a naturally affinity for it that she's better than government employees who also used to do it?
Anyways, it was such a difficult to get through and I feel like it could've been interesting and a little better if there was time spent teasing things out like the examples above and maybe a bit more world-building.
If I could say one thing about, it would be that there's so much happening but at the same time there's nothing happening. What I mean is that Snyder seems to try and fit a lot of action and romance but, at least in my opinion, I feel like things aren't properly developed or teased out. For example, majority of the novel really pushes for this romance and relationship between what's-her-name and what's-his-name, and the events later in the novel are all *i love u so much so im gonna do this big sacrifice etc etc wow tru love*. But in reality, all the development we get is literally the main character staring across the room, thinking 'wow he's such a hot rugged type that badass and my age' and suddenly they're kissing for no particular reason, there's some sexual tension for like 2 days and now they're soulmates???
And another thing, the whole premise of the novel is that the main character is some badass, amazing hacker that can save the whole world because she has some natural talent for hacking. For me, it was just hard to really invest in this storyline because for the first few chapters, the only allusion to her hacking abilities is her *occasional* hacking to access emails or something. When she goes on a ship, it's like suddenly she can hack into top secret codes that not even government employees and do because they're too goody-goody. And another thing, there is later mention that people on the security team on ships used to be good hackers or something, which is why they gravitate towards security and 'clean up'. If this is the case, this must mean that they must retain those skills, so you're really telling me that this random teen who worms her way through the net superficially and *casually* has such a naturally affinity for it that she's better than government employees who also used to do it?
Anyways, it was such a difficult to get through and I feel like it could've been interesting and a little better if there was time spent teasing things out like the examples above and maybe a bit more world-building.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Maria V Snyder has done it again! Absolutely loved Navigating the Stars. Maria has this amazing way of creating amazing worlds and stories that capture you from the beginning. I can not wait for the next one to come out!
I enjoyed this book for the coming of age YA that it is. It was a fun, exciting sci fi story that may take itself a little too seriously. I also didn't quite understand how time worked when travelling.
The biggest downside for me was the writing of Lyra's friends that she left behind. They were emailing her 20 years later (for them), but still sounded like their teenaged selves. They didn't come across as adults who had lived their lives, had kids, married etc.
I am keen to see what is next though, so will be continuing on to book 2.
The biggest downside for me was the writing of Lyra's friends that she left behind. They were emailing her 20 years later (for them), but still sounded like their teenaged selves. They didn't come across as adults who had lived their lives, had kids, married etc.
I am keen to see what is next though, so will be continuing on to book 2.
This was one unexpected five star book. From the world-building to the character development it was great! Lyra’s (the main character) voice came through loud and clear with personality, attitude and charm. The plot was real good as well!
I always find M.V Snyder’s books very interesting and engaging with new aspects of the universes she’s created revealed every chapter.
Possibly the thing I loved most about this book was the shattering relatability of what Lyra and all the space kids went through when moving away. I have never so far in the history of my reading come across a book that captures the feeling quite so clearly as is done here. Speaking from personal experience with transition stress, I found it struck home for me, but of course everybody’s experience is different.
Navigating the Stars was a wonderful combination of sci-fi and fantasy in the YA genre and I will very much be eagerly awaiting a sequel.
Apart from some swearing and light mentions of sex there wasn’t much to report, and I would probably recommend it for 14-15+
I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!
P.S Listened to this in audiobook form read by Alice Barrington performance was really good expression but not the biggest variety of voices, I’d still recommend the experience though!
I always find M.V Snyder’s books very interesting and engaging with new aspects of the universes she’s created revealed every chapter.
Possibly the thing I loved most about this book was the shattering relatability of what Lyra and all the space kids went through when moving away. I have never so far in the history of my reading come across a book that captures the feeling quite so clearly as is done here. Speaking from personal experience with transition stress, I found it struck home for me, but of course everybody’s experience is different.
Navigating the Stars was a wonderful combination of sci-fi and fantasy in the YA genre and I will very much be eagerly awaiting a sequel.
Apart from some swearing and light mentions of sex there wasn’t much to report, and I would probably recommend it for 14-15+
I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!
P.S Listened to this in audiobook form read by Alice Barrington performance was really good expression but not the biggest variety of voices, I’d still recommend the experience though!
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced