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chaebe's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I really loved reading this story.
daleydale's review against another edition
4.0
I really, really enjoyed reading this romantic sci-fi story. It was full of great characters, a lovely romance, and intriguing world—building. I can't wait for the next book to come out, and see where Hanna and Jon go from here!
The characters in this story were well-developed and extremely likable. Jon and Hanna, the two main characters, were both very complex characters who are lovely as they are, with still some room to grow. What’s more, I thoroughly enjoyed watching them come together in a natural way. It was romantic, touching, and dreamy, the kind of gentle romance that brings a thump to the reader's heart, as if we are right there, a part of it ourselves. It was, honestly, because of the romance that I couldn't stop reading this book!
I also thought the author did a tremendous job of handling Hanna's trauma. I really understood the pain she felt and the terror of what she experienced, without having to know the heavy details. I think a trigger warning might be in order for abuse survivors, but the content is not overly graphic or disturbing, so for general audiences, this book is a comfortable read.
One thing I felt was lacking in the story was a little more development into the climax. The revelation that came just before it was good, but perhaps a little more suspense on the part of that revelation, maybe more development of the characters involved in that revelation, may have helped give the story that extra oomph. I also felt that the climax came suddenly and ended quickly. No one likes a drawn-out climax, but I think just a little more action, or more content, might have been good to nudge this novel a little more off of the "romance" track and more onto the "sci-fi/thriller" track. Thus, the four stars.
However, that doesn't take away from the fact that I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, and as I said before, I simply could not put it down. It was heartwarming and joyful and sweet, with a little bit of action at the end, and Amy Beatty did a fantastic job of building the alien culture. With every tidbit introduced, I found myself wanting to know more and more. I'm hoping follow up books might take us to the world of the Talessinians, but we'll have to wait and see!
The characters in this story were well-developed and extremely likable. Jon and Hanna, the two main characters, were both very complex characters who are lovely as they are, with still some room to grow. What’s more, I thoroughly enjoyed watching them come together in a natural way. It was romantic, touching, and dreamy, the kind of gentle romance that brings a thump to the reader's heart, as if we are right there, a part of it ourselves. It was, honestly, because of the romance that I couldn't stop reading this book!
I also thought the author did a tremendous job of handling Hanna's trauma. I really understood the pain she felt and the terror of what she experienced, without having to know the heavy details. I think a trigger warning might be in order for abuse survivors, but the content is not overly graphic or disturbing, so for general audiences, this book is a comfortable read.
One thing I felt was lacking in the story was a little more development into the climax. The revelation that came just before it was good, but perhaps a little more suspense on the part of that revelation, maybe more development of the characters involved in that revelation, may have helped give the story that extra oomph. I also felt that the climax came suddenly and ended quickly. No one likes a drawn-out climax, but I think just a little more action, or more content, might have been good to nudge this novel a little more off of the "romance" track and more onto the "sci-fi/thriller" track. Thus, the four stars.
However, that doesn't take away from the fact that I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, and as I said before, I simply could not put it down. It was heartwarming and joyful and sweet, with a little bit of action at the end, and Amy Beatty did a fantastic job of building the alien culture. With every tidbit introduced, I found myself wanting to know more and more. I'm hoping follow up books might take us to the world of the Talessinians, but we'll have to wait and see!
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