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itabar's review
4.0
This book was OK. The problem *for me* was that I wasn't invested in any of the characters. I think this was partially due to the English accent one of the MCs had. It sounded really fake to me and grated.
jdeuman's review against another edition
4.0
Fun read!
This is fun read with engaging characters. There are just enough twists and turns to keep the reader engaged, and not too many to make things ridiculous.
This is fun read with engaging characters. There are just enough twists and turns to keep the reader engaged, and not too many to make things ridiculous.
sblackone's review
2.0
It's an alright book when just considering light space opera. Even by those standards the sci-fi veneer is a bit thin and this story could easily work in a modern setting. It's a quick read, but nothing outstanding or memorable. It's just enough to keep reading it, but nothing enough to truly get invested in the setting, story or characters. The main character lacks agency and is mostly an observer ordered around or dragged along. The prose is fine for this, but the dialogue can be awkward. It's not truly bad, but there is something a little off with it. At the beginning I didn't mind too much, but at the end it became really annoying. More and more I thought that people wouldn't talk this way.
The story draws a bit too much attention to transplanting pretty stereotypical Irish/Scottish culture onto another planet in the future. Instead of letting that speak for itself, and maybe allow the reader to ignore the weirdness of how little advanced the technology or architecture is, the book constantly mentions how quaint everything is. This can pull you out of the story now and then.
The story draws a bit too much attention to transplanting pretty stereotypical Irish/Scottish culture onto another planet in the future. Instead of letting that speak for itself, and maybe allow the reader to ignore the weirdness of how little advanced the technology or architecture is, the book constantly mentions how quaint everything is. This can pull you out of the story now and then.
ferrisscottr's review
3.0
A solid three star book which means I liked it but didn't love it. I would recommend it if this was "your kind of book" but I wouldn't recommend it to everyone.
It's essentially a spy book. Yeah it's set in a sci-fi setting but this book is REALLY low on the science fiction and REALLY high on the spy novel aspect. It bills itself as an old style science fiction romp. I found myself enjoying the characters and the world building but also skimming over large sections of the text. I assumed that the good guys would win and life would be good at the end so I wasn't really all that invested in the plot or the action.
I enjoyed it.
BUT
I didn't love it.
I had no problem putting the book down at the end of the day (not something you want your reader to say).
There are certain people I would recommend this to but definitely not everyone.
BUT
it's three stars which means I enjoyed it, money well spent, time well spent.
It's essentially a spy book. Yeah it's set in a sci-fi setting but this book is REALLY low on the science fiction and REALLY high on the spy novel aspect. It bills itself as an old style science fiction romp. I found myself enjoying the characters and the world building but also skimming over large sections of the text. I assumed that the good guys would win and life would be good at the end so I wasn't really all that invested in the plot or the action.
I enjoyed it.
BUT
I didn't love it.
I had no problem putting the book down at the end of the day (not something you want your reader to say).
There are certain people I would recommend this to but definitely not everyone.
BUT
it's three stars which means I enjoyed it, money well spent, time well spent.
miocyon's review against another edition
4.0
A decent sci-fi espionage thriller. I listen to the author on a bunch of tech podcasts, and often like what he has to say. This is his first novel, and it feels like it. Clunky at times, often easily predictable, with some forced humor. I often thought to myself that there was no reason for this to be set in the future. The sci-fi parts felt ancillary to an OK espionage plot. It also felt very male, and certainly doesn’t pass the Bechtdel (sp?) test, which seems odd for new sci-fi. Would recommend for mindless reading on a plane or the beach. There’s a sequel, but not sure if this grabbed me enough to get it.
sweetpeppah's review
4.0
I devoured this book over the July 4th long weekend, what a ride! It's a fun and well-invented classic space opera crossed with noir-style mystery, with great pacing, and lots of snark. I loved the clever dialog and unexpected turns of descriptive phrase sprinkled throughout. An engaging and satisfying read.
(fair disclosure, i play sports with the author. but i would still be honest if i hadn't thoroughly enjoyed the book!)
(fair disclosure, i play sports with the author. but i would still be honest if i hadn't thoroughly enjoyed the book!)
zdbennett's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.25
Good book, it almost could have been written not as a space book, but it was fun and definitely enjoyable. A few predictable twists and turns but also a few surprising things in there too!
mentalshirt's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
belleoftheb00ks's review
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5