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cj_is_reading4's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
kj468's review
Honestly, I should have checked the content warnings before I read this book and I didn’t, and then I kept on reading for some reason, even when I realized how triggering it was for me. I paused at around 50% for over a week, and then came back to it, and promptly realized it was triggering. I skimmed the last half because I wanted to see what became of eke and kyp. I don’t have much to say about the content of this book, and I don’t think I would be a fair reviewer of it anyway.
Tw: animal cruelty, self harm, multiple (AI, but conscious AI) suicide attempts, graphic bullying, discrimination, substance abuse, slurs, violence, systemic discrimination and hunting of marginalized folks, background eating disorder
Tw: animal cruelty, self harm, multiple (AI, but conscious AI) suicide attempts, graphic bullying, discrimination, substance abuse, slurs, violence, systemic discrimination and hunting of marginalized folks, background eating disorder
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Bullying, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: Eating disorder, Addiction, Self harm, and Panic attacks/disorders
xasafi's review
3.75
~3.75 stars~
Damn, I just love stories about androids and AI becoming aware, it's definitely one of my favorite tropes. So I knew I had to get this book and thankfully I quite liked it.
This story isn't without flaws though.
I didn't really like all of the Cinderella references in the first part, it was too obvious for me, I would prefer it if it was more subtle.
Also, a talking mirror, really? I get that it was supposed to have a fairytale vibe but that was a bit too much for me.
I wasn't a huge fan of Eke's child-like way of seeing things. And I know he was supposed to be innocent and pure, slowly growing and becoming human but sometimes it felt like I was reading a children's book and that's just not it.
Also, using suicide attempt to push the story forward wasn't the author's brightest moment. Especially since it happened so suddenly and nothing suggested the character was depressed and suicidal before. Not a great move.
Despite all of this I actually really enjoyed this book. I got invested in the story pretty quickly and it was easy and pleasant to read. It had a great pace, it flowed nicely and the writing style was simple but it worked well with the story. What's more, the main characters were likable and I quickly grew to care about them.
Overall, it was a nice novel. Maybe not a masterpiece but it was good enough to earn solid 3.5 stars.
Damn, I just love stories about androids and AI becoming aware, it's definitely one of my favorite tropes. So I knew I had to get this book and thankfully I quite liked it.
This story isn't without flaws though.
I didn't really like all of the Cinderella references in the first part, it was too obvious for me, I would prefer it if it was more subtle.
Also, a talking mirror, really? I get that it was supposed to have a fairytale vibe but that was a bit too much for me.
I wasn't a huge fan of Eke's child-like way of seeing things. And I know he was supposed to be innocent and pure, slowly growing and becoming human but sometimes it felt like I was reading a children's book and that's just not it.
Also, using suicide attempt to push the story forward wasn't the author's brightest moment. Especially since it happened so suddenly and nothing suggested the character was depressed and suicidal before. Not a great move.
Despite all of this I actually really enjoyed this book. I got invested in the story pretty quickly and it was easy and pleasant to read. It had a great pace, it flowed nicely and the writing style was simple but it worked well with the story. What's more, the main characters were likable and I quickly grew to care about them.
Overall, it was a nice novel. Maybe not a masterpiece but it was good enough to earn solid 3.5 stars.
lovecurran456's review against another edition
Will read at a different time - just really into other books at the moment
lannnnnnnnnaaaaaaaaa's review against another edition
dark
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
claire_melanie's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
biblionerdrflxn's review
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was such a depressing and heartbreaking story, but in the best way possible because it was also hopeful and incredibly adorable. I'm not sure how that even makes sense, but somehow this book pulled it off. The main character, Eke, was an android working as a servant for a rich family. Although truthfully, servant is probably too kind of a word because they treated Eke horribly. He had the most adorable personality, and I loved seeing his AI become sentient in real-time. I honestly could have just read a whole book of following Eke through his routine while adoring his friendships with plants and fish. The book took an even darker turn, though, and eventually it became a race for Eke's very existence. The plot of the book felt really uneven, almost as if the first and second halves should have been two different stories. The rest of the characters didn't come to life for me the way Eke did either, and the world-building, while interesting, left a lot to be desired. I also think it is important to note that hopelessness and suicidal ideation/attempts were a large part of Eke's story. Overall, I liked the book and do recommend it just for people to get to meet Eke. Just make sure the sensitive content is something you can handle because it had me in tears multiple times.
bookjunkie_0220's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
archivist_augie's review
2.0
Eke is probably one of the worst main characters I've ever had to deal with and the ending was... Kind of ridiculous. I loved Kyp being as he was actually willing to DO literally ANYTHING. But Eke was a wallflower who had to much attention put on him in the book.
hedonicbooks's review
4.0
This book. It's clever, it's unique, it's emotional and beautiful, it's thought-provoking and quite heartbreaking, but in a good way?! Does that make any sense? Well, maybe not, but you must read it and see for yourself.
If I had to describe it, I'd say it's the perfect blend of romance, sci-fi and fantasy. Because this is the story of Eke and Kyp, two AI individuals who meet and form an unbreakable bond that will take them on an intense, adrenaline filled adventure. I mean, AIs who develop consciousness?! Yes, please. Tell me more!
The description of the book says it's about the nature of life and the pursuit of freedom, and that's so perfectly said. Because, my god, this book makes you THINK. Like really think about humanity and its limitations, about people's propensity for taking things for granted, about cruelty and compassion, and ultimately about acceptance. And love!
If I had to describe it, I'd say it's the perfect blend of romance, sci-fi and fantasy. Because this is the story of Eke and Kyp, two AI individuals who meet and form an unbreakable bond that will take them on an intense, adrenaline filled adventure. I mean, AIs who develop consciousness?! Yes, please. Tell me more!
The description of the book says it's about the nature of life and the pursuit of freedom, and that's so perfectly said. Because, my god, this book makes you THINK. Like really think about humanity and its limitations, about people's propensity for taking things for granted, about cruelty and compassion, and ultimately about acceptance. And love!