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bookwyrm76's review against another edition
4.0
Hard boiled detective blended with a scifi dystopia. A good blend too. The detective, California Sounder, is the noir detective in this story. All the great tropes are there and handled deftly. The mystery has plenty of twists and turns. There are hints but not so many that it's easy to see the ended. Great read for noir fans who are looking for something new and different.
bookwyrm76's review
4.0
Classic noir detective story with a sci-fy/urban bent. Blending different genres don't always work, but this one blends so smoothly that it doesn't even seem like a mashup. It just IS and it pulls classic themes like wealth in a totally contemporary way. I would recommend this for fans of Jim Butcher's Desden novels or for readers who have read YA Dystopias and are looking for more with social commentary along with the action or mystery.
hunnyblood's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
luckyboxes's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
4.0
aardrian's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nataliejune's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Got a kick out of the noir/hardboiled cliches. The consistency throughout makes the tone almost cozy despite the occasional gruesomeness. Wonderful main character. Engaging action scenes.
The mystery was a bit convoluted and the resolution left me just a smidge unsatisfied, but I enjoyed this.
The mystery was a bit convoluted and the resolution left me just a smidge unsatisfied, but I enjoyed this.
c_morning's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
robotswithpersonality's review
4.5
If you're looking for a sci fi twist on classic noir mystery (and maybe just a smidge less dark), I can highly recommend this one.
A very fast read, the world building dresses up the corners but doesn't let the narrative get bogged down in science talk, the dialogue is snappy, the writing - well, I'm starting to think I'm biased, but I really love the way Harkaway writes: the strong sense of lively characters and relationships in just a few lines, the POV/inner life of the main character, the reality of bad things happening and somehow still holding onto the idea, recognizing that there are good actors. People might have to get their hands dirty, but they truly care for those around them, try to protect those who stumble into harm's way.
I think a non-asshole Titan POV would be a fascinating read, but that would be a very different book....maybe a sequel/companion novel?....🤔🙏🏼
I would also like to shout out Jack Smyth because this cover design ROCKS. 👏🏻
⚠️ Domestic abuse
A very fast read, the world building dresses up the corners but doesn't let the narrative get bogged down in science talk, the dialogue is snappy, the writing - well, I'm starting to think I'm biased, but I really love the way Harkaway writes: the strong sense of lively characters and relationships in just a few lines, the POV/inner life of the main character, the reality of bad things happening and somehow still holding onto the idea, recognizing that there are good actors. People might have to get their hands dirty, but they truly care for those around them, try to protect those who stumble into harm's way.
I think a non-asshole Titan POV would be a fascinating read, but that would be a very different book....maybe a sequel/companion novel?....🤔🙏🏼
I would also like to shout out Jack Smyth because this cover design ROCKS. 👏🏻
⚠️ Domestic abuse