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micheala's review against another edition
4.0
There are some things I really liked about this, and some things I was disappointed with. On the one hand I loved that it was about Ginko and Rig becoming friends despite coming from such different views about factions, and watching Ginko deconstruct her beliefs.
On the other hand, the description of the book implied that June would be a bigger part of the story then she ended up being. It made it sound like the adventure was going to be Rig, June, and Ginko. Unfortunately is more referenced then present. She's there for a few scenes, and like one call, but otherwise it's more just Rig thinking about June.
I also kinda felt like the ending was a little rushed. The whole book is this slow feeling story, then we have the big finale and then it felt like the author just wanted to wrap the loose ends up super quick. I wanted almost another entire chapter after the final showdown to explore some of the consequences.
Graphic: Medical content, Murder, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Drug use, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Xenophobia, Genocide, Slavery, Body horror, War, Classism, Colonisation, Death, Violence, and Racism
Moderate: Death of parent
lpdx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Medical content, Gore, Blood, Vomit, Death, Drug use, Body horror, Kidnapping, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Slavery, Violence, Torture, War, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Genocide, Confinement, Police brutality, Medical trauma, Addiction, Classism, Colonisation, Islamophobia, and Racism
charley34's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, War, Classism, Cursing, Death, Violence, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
cassielaj's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Classism, Torture, Colonisation, Blood, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Cursing, Death, and Genocide
alyxinthestars's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Death and Violence
Minor: Drug use, Slavery, Vomit, Torture, and Death of parent
rorikae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Rig believes that she has left life on her former faction behind. She is living a better life, dating a wonderful librarian and taking on jobs to make up for her past mistakes. But when her faction tracks her down and puts out an ultimatum, return the weapon files she stole or they will kill her sister, she has to team up with a mysterious bounty hunter to save her family and the life she has built for herself.
There are so many things I love about 'Bluebird.' Pierlot has created an extensive world with a fascinating political system that we get just enough of to understand without feeling overwhelmed. I would gladly read anything they write about this world in the future because it's clear they have done a lot of worldbuilding even if we only get to see a portion of it. They have also created a full cast of characters both lovable and frustrating but each with their own unique personality that stands out from the rest. They feel both real and just a little bit more than real, which makes following them fun while also caring deeply about them. Add to that a fast paced plot that pulls our characters along to different places and puts them in increasingly more intense scenarios and you have the recipe for a gripping, fun read with a lot of heart. I will definitely be picking up whatever Pierlot writes next. If you are looking for a standalone sci-fi book that has all of the worldbuilding and character development of a full series, please read 'Bluebird.'
Moderate: Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Medical trauma, Violence, Blood, Body horror, Death, Drug use, and Grief
starccato's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Blood, Addiction, Body horror, Colonisation, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Murder, Police brutality, Racism, Religious bigotry, Classism, War, Xenophobia, Violence, Vomit, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, and Gore
Moderate: Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, and Medical trauma
Minor: Death of parent and Abandonment
ninjamuse's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Gore, Body horror, Colonisation, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Blood, Xenophobia, War, Terminal illness, Death, Violence, Gun violence, Genocide, and Drug use
Minor: Murder and Torture
oliverreeds's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Colonisation, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Torture, Violence, War, Drug use, Genocide, Murder, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Addiction, Blood, and Kidnapping
azrah786's review against another edition
4.0
**I received a proof copy from Angry Robot Books in exchange for an honest review**
CW: violence, gun violence, blood, gore, death, body horror, medical trauma, vomit, drug use
A highly enjoyable sci-fi debut that you'll love if you’re a fan of high-stakes heists and daring rescue missions!
Taking place in a galaxy where 3 factions – Ascetic, Ossuary and Pyrite – vie for supremacy, Bluebird follows a factionless, gunslinging rebel named Rig who has fled her life as a Pyrite weapon’s developer and now works as part of the Nightbirds, a resistance organisation that helps to free other indentured individuals and their families.
However, her past and her ex-faction are always on her heels since she stole schematics to a weapon when she made off, and things become more dire when her sister’s life is thrown into the mix. Thus with the help of some of her associates, her Librarian girlfriend and a reluctant ally, who happens to be a kickass bounty hunter, Rig sets out to save her sister as well as keep what she stole out of faction hands.
This book was a whole lot of fun! Though the pacing was a bit here and there and the protagonist had a tendency to repeat her thoughts, Pierlot has balanced an action packed space adventure with a thought provoking exploration of colonial themes. Through the primary storyline and an accompanying side story told through recurring interludes, we’re introduced to an array of morally ambiguous characters that you want to immediately rally behind and given a glimpse at a rich, Star Wars-esque universe that you just want to discover more of.
For a standalone the worldbuilding packs just enough background on the characters and setting in a way that is not overly excessive as to draw away from the main plot. Though it is obvious that the plot is but a small story in a bigger saga and it would be cool if this was ever expanded on in the future, I'm especially curious to know more about the Nightbirds!
Rig is a spunky individual who fights her battles with quippy remarks just as much as she does with her twin guns, Panache and Pizzazz. Her escapades have her jumping from one planet to another, giving us a glimpse at the varying ways of life and political tensions under the 3 factions in power. In fact each of the primary characters showcase varying aspects of the subjugation of these factions, the obligations they feel towards them and the inner conflicts they each face as a result. I found the character arc of Ginka, the bounty hunter, to be the most interesting to follow.
The character relationships were also particularly well written. There were some romance subplots present, more or less falling in with the forbidden love trope that were equal parts sweet and angst ridden. However, I’ve got to say it was the friendship that formed between Rig and Ginka that stole the show for me – I just love me some good old reluctant teamwork paired with witty banter that results in camaraderie!
All in all despite being a little predictable, the story was highly entertaining all the way through and I look forward to seeing what Pierlot writes next!
Final Rating – 4/5 Stars
Graphic: Violence, Gun violence, Death, Blood, Drug use, and Body horror
Moderate: Vomit, Gore, and Medical trauma