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noolna's review against another edition
3.0
I felt that this was just too slow and a little too boring for me. I struggled to get through most parts and I found myself skimming. I also felt like the romance was too much too soon for me and I couldn't really get myself to like the protagonist.
zu_reviews's review against another edition
2.0
There was nothing fundamentally wrong with this book! If you loved James Cameron's "Avatar" movie, you'll probably love this. It had the seeds of so much I liked but it ultimately fell flat, only because of personal taste.
I wanted to see more of the alien planet, and the pacing was off for me. This is a duology but this whole book feels unnecessarily long to me and stretched. It was hard to keep picking it up and reading it, and honestly I only did because I I already bought the second book and felt bad not reading it.
I think I also expected a bit more nuance - for it to not be so black and white in terms of "good" and "bad". I have confidence the second book will be more enjoyable to me though because of how this one ends and where the MC is at. This book feels like the really long prologue to what I wanted to see - the world.
I wanted to see more of the alien planet, and the pacing was off for me. This is a duology but this whole book feels unnecessarily long to me and stretched. It was hard to keep picking it up and reading it, and honestly I only did because I I already bought the second book and felt bad not reading it.
I think I also expected a bit more nuance - for it to not be so black and white in terms of "good" and "bad". I have confidence the second book will be more enjoyable to me though because of how this one ends and where the MC is at. This book feels like the really long prologue to what I wanted to see - the world.
routergirl's review against another edition
3.0
There is some beautiful writing here - sparse, effective, sometimes lovely. But its combined with some cringe worthy aspects, and some areas not explored that left me wondering - perhaps to be addressed in a sequel. Cringe worthy - telepathic communication as blobs of color. Left me wondering - Eggs that are possibly not eggs, but kawa. Cringe worthy - so many MANY repetitive distinctions between life on Faloiv and the origin planet. Octavia seems to know what meat is (she mentions her father comparing a plant to it), but later in the book she is SHOCKED at what meat is. The interns, running around this high tech facility (with shielding glass windows that hide whats inside), with no one catching them? Dr. Albatur, the most villainy villain ever.
Ok, so maybe it was more cringe worthy than I thought. Still, I enjoyed it mostly, read it fast, and might pick up the next one, if there is nothing else on my to read shelf that looks more interesting.
Ok, so maybe it was more cringe worthy than I thought. Still, I enjoyed it mostly, read it fast, and might pick up the next one, if there is nothing else on my to read shelf that looks more interesting.
maryfaithreads's review against another edition
4.0
Wow. Okay, then.
I had pretty high expectations for this book based on the synopsis - I mean, come on, does that thing not just pull you right in to the story? However, science fiction can be kind of hit or miss for me; reading about aliens with purple tentacles freaks me out, and there's something about the generalized sci-fi writing style that bothers me. (You know, each genre has some similarities in writing style no matter the author and his or her voice. It's not a bad thing, it's just a thing.)
I ended up really getting into this. The mystery was really intriguing to me, which is good, because I didn't immediately connect to the characters and their personal relationships/conflicts, so the plot was kind of what kept me going. Ultimately, I came to love all parts of the book, including the characters. I really loved the friendship aspect too, and how it wasn't just the guy and the girl vs. the world. The only real issue I had came at the very end - everything just turned into complete chaos. Like, I'm honestly still not sure what happened 100%. It was just too much too fast.
This has definitely piqued my interest, and I'm excited to read the sequel, as well as more from Olivia A. Cole in the future. Absolutely recommend!
I had pretty high expectations for this book based on the synopsis - I mean, come on, does that thing not just pull you right in to the story? However, science fiction can be kind of hit or miss for me; reading about aliens with purple tentacles freaks me out, and there's something about the generalized sci-fi writing style that bothers me. (You know, each genre has some similarities in writing style no matter the author and his or her voice. It's not a bad thing, it's just a thing.)
I ended up really getting into this. The mystery was really intriguing to me, which is good, because I didn't immediately connect to the characters and their personal relationships/conflicts, so the plot was kind of what kept me going. Ultimately, I came to love all parts of the book, including the characters. I really loved the friendship aspect too, and how it wasn't just the guy and the girl vs. the world. The only real issue I had came at the very end - everything just turned into complete chaos. Like, I'm honestly still not sure what happened 100%. It was just too much too fast.
This has definitely piqued my interest, and I'm excited to read the sequel, as well as more from Olivia A. Cole in the future. Absolutely recommend!
deepikaneel's review against another edition
3.0
Maybe 3.5. LOVED the description of the planet and the animals but the book dragged a little in the middle. Will definitely read the next one though!
aynara's review against another edition
1.0
This read like a sci-fi training manual for PETA members. I was expecting so much more, but as a veterinarian I was actually kind of offended at some parts where a nebulous line was drawn between naturalism and animal research. The romance was not believable and would have been far better served as another friendship (the single strength of the book). The dialogue was stale and the plot was fairly predictable.
kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
This book starts slow but the world building is immaculate and the plot is phenomenal. I really enjoyed learning about the planet of Faloiv and its’ inhabitants, including the unique animal-life. This future society’s hunger for more teaches us valuable lessons about what it means to occupy a planet and how to do so in a more sustainable and equitable manner.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Classism, Confinement, Grief, Medical trauma, Xenophobia, Murder, Torture, War, Animal cruelty, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Medical content, Colonisation, Violence, Gun violence, Bullying, Gaslighting, Genocide, Blood, Death of parent, and Toxic relationship
lisamparkin's review against another edition
5.0
Everything about this book - the characters, plot and mystery - are all very well thought out and carefully constructed. I was definitely compelled to read and continue unraveling the secrets of Faloiv (<- no idea how to pronounce this!).
I was so impressed with the world-building here - and I loved Octavia's curiosity and love of her planet. The science fiction aspects like skinsuits and all the species of animals added depth and interest to the story. I deeply wish the cover conveyed the array of colors and flora and fauna present in the book - I think the flowers shown on the background don't do enough to convey the imaginative nature of the book.
Make sure you pick this up on in the new year!
I was so impressed with the world-building here - and I loved Octavia's curiosity and love of her planet. The science fiction aspects like skinsuits and all the species of animals added depth and interest to the story. I deeply wish the cover conveyed the array of colors and flora and fauna present in the book - I think the flowers shown on the background don't do enough to convey the imaginative nature of the book.
Make sure you pick this up on in the new year!
ddmgembala's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5