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roannasylver's review
5.0
I can't get to my highlights, which is quite bothersome, as this story (a novella prequel to FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE) has so many lines worth highlighting it's kind of unbelievable. Or would be, if I hadn't read/been blown away by the first book of the main series, FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE. I'll try to get to them and provide a more specific review, but in very short:
In a Far Future where disability and neurodivergence has been all but eliminated in humanity thanks to Eugenic Fuckery, autistic Xandri uses her incredible observational skills to win enough gambling-matches to survive in an unfriendly universe - until she gets picked up by an elite starship crew of xeno-liasons... and her life changes forever. And SHE will change the lives of billions, meeting and communicating with aliens, making first contact, seeking out new life and new civilizations... starting with a race of giant parrot-people I want every alien-loving reader to see.
INCLUDES:
* Best autistic/ND voice I've ever read. (Also ownvoice!)
* Xandri is bi and this is awesome, AND it hints toward a poly relationship, which is explored more in the main book!
* Diver (male hinted-at love interest/Quirky Genius Inventor) is incredible - warm, funny, brilliant, totally here for Xandri and all her brain-nuances - and like 2/3rds of my highlights are of him. I have a book-crush. It's a good thing. Please, please, we need more Divers in the book-world and real-world.
* Incredibly creative universe - literal universe of space travel and aliens, all with their own deeply thought-out cultural details and methods of communication. Giant bird people. A bear-caterpillar-ish alien named Aki (whose species are basically 'eh' toward gender/pronouns, but she/her is ok for Aki) who lets Xandri stim by petting her soft fur and basically I want to hug Aki and never actually stop.
* The entire concept of an autistic MC who has trouble communicating with her own human species (primarily because of ableism, and absolutely Not because there's anything "wrong" with her!), but excels at understanding and building trust with other citizens of the galaxy, whose voice and method of processing the world is not just included but VALUED - it's incredible. It's healing.
* Xandri's past of parental abuse, homelessness, poverty and endangerment is something I think any disabled or neurodivergent reader will recognize. But even when raw and painful, the story is so real and so important - and so is she.
I just can't say enough good about this short story, or the book it precedes. If you want amazing autistic/neurodiverse voice (synesthesia, for gosh sakes, I'm still not over that!), bi poly fun, and incredibly cool aliens and sci-fi adventure, PLEASE pick up these books. FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE and TESTING PANDORA deserve to blow up huge... and WE deserve fiction like this. And so much more.
In a Far Future where disability and neurodivergence has been all but eliminated in humanity thanks to Eugenic Fuckery, autistic Xandri uses her incredible observational skills to win enough gambling-matches to survive in an unfriendly universe - until she gets picked up by an elite starship crew of xeno-liasons... and her life changes forever. And SHE will change the lives of billions, meeting and communicating with aliens, making first contact, seeking out new life and new civilizations... starting with a race of giant parrot-people I want every alien-loving reader to see.
INCLUDES:
* Best autistic/ND voice I've ever read. (Also ownvoice!)
* Xandri is bi and this is awesome, AND it hints toward a poly relationship, which is explored more in the main book!
* Diver (male hinted-at love interest/Quirky Genius Inventor) is incredible - warm, funny, brilliant, totally here for Xandri and all her brain-nuances - and like 2/3rds of my highlights are of him. I have a book-crush. It's a good thing. Please, please, we need more Divers in the book-world and real-world.
* Incredibly creative universe - literal universe of space travel and aliens, all with their own deeply thought-out cultural details and methods of communication. Giant bird people. A bear-caterpillar-ish alien named Aki (whose species are basically 'eh' toward gender/pronouns, but she/her is ok for Aki) who lets Xandri stim by petting her soft fur and basically I want to hug Aki and never actually stop.
* The entire concept of an autistic MC who has trouble communicating with her own human species (primarily because of ableism, and absolutely Not because there's anything "wrong" with her!), but excels at understanding and building trust with other citizens of the galaxy, whose voice and method of processing the world is not just included but VALUED - it's incredible. It's healing.
* Xandri's past of parental abuse, homelessness, poverty and endangerment is something I think any disabled or neurodivergent reader will recognize. But even when raw and painful, the story is so real and so important - and so is she.
I just can't say enough good about this short story, or the book it precedes. If you want amazing autistic/neurodiverse voice (synesthesia, for gosh sakes, I'm still not over that!), bi poly fun, and incredibly cool aliens and sci-fi adventure, PLEASE pick up these books. FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE and TESTING PANDORA deserve to blow up huge... and WE deserve fiction like this. And so much more.
smmrmmrmmr's review
4.0
Lovely prequel to the Xandri series and I'm so excited for everything to come :)
-> as always with this series tw for eugenics, ableism, mentions of/references to abuse, malnutrition and descriptions of eating and difficulty doing so
-> as always with this series tw for eugenics, ableism, mentions of/references to abuse, malnutrition and descriptions of eating and difficulty doing so
kappareads's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed being back in this world and with Xandri! Just, upon rereading the first book, I'm a little disappointed there's not a more distinct difference between character interactions here (4 years ago) and the setting of Failure to Communicate
numinousspirit's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-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
grey_jayne's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
3.75
Testing Pandora is a decent prequel. Great proof of concept while having a controlled focus. I don't know if it could stand on its own, but I intentionally bought all three books in the series so that won't be a problem.
Xandri is fantastic representation in a number of ways and I look forward to her further adventures. In truth, I was drawn to the series because the third book has space whales. This book does have space rays, like manta rays, and I was appreciative of that.
Xandri is fantastic representation in a number of ways and I look forward to her further adventures. In truth, I was drawn to the series because the third book has space whales. This book does have space rays, like manta rays, and I was appreciative of that.
bookishescapades's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- 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
4.5
snazel's review
4.0
Probably would be better if I didn't identify so closely with the experience of having someone who hates you for reasons outside of your control and which you can't seem to mitigate, but Christina needs to get a clue and some manners.
nupsilon's review
3.0
The autistic rep here is true to life and so very relatable; I immediately identified with Xandri and became invested in her story.
The first contact plot was very interesting as well; as a bird lover, I've always wanted to see more avian aliens, and I finally got my wish.
I also liked that the MC's rival, Christa, had reasons to be hostile beyond just being an asshole. I still wanted to her to stop talking, but at least she didn't come off as completely evil for no reason.
The first contact plot was very interesting as well; as a bird lover, I've always wanted to see more avian aliens, and I finally got my wish.
I also liked that the MC's rival, Christa, had reasons to be hostile beyond just being an asshole. I still wanted to her to stop talking, but at least she didn't come off as completely evil for no reason.
kaa's review
5.0
LOVED this. Xandri is a fantastic narrator and despite the short length, the story packs in a ton of character and relationship development. I'm already on to the next book.