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3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
This book was conceptually really good. I enjoyed the MC of Pendt Harland. I loved the magic system and how it affected Pendt specifically. The early days of learning about Pendt’s magic, how it manifests, how she is treated by her “family” really drew me in.
I got a little more confused and a little less interested once she left the ship. I totally didn’t understand the dynamic with the Brannick twins, the author kept saying there was a difference between the twins but me not having any idea about genetics, I completely missed what she was trying to say. I read a different review and learned it there. Too subtle for dummies like me. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I loved Pendt and the twins as characters. The twists were good, but everything was very simple and quickly resolved in all cases. There was danger but it went by so quickly and everything they experiment with works perfectly the first try.
I thought the book had a lot of heart, good ideas and great world building but it fell a little flat for me as a novel. It was more like a novella and I would have liked more of all of it.
I got a little more confused and a little less interested once she left the ship. I totally didn’t understand the dynamic with the Brannick twins, the author kept saying there was a difference between the twins but me not having any idea about genetics, I completely missed what she was trying to say. I read a different review and learned it there. Too subtle for dummies like me. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I loved Pendt and the twins as characters. The twists were good, but everything was very simple and quickly resolved in all cases. There was danger but it went by so quickly and everything they experiment with works perfectly the first try.
I thought the book had a lot of heart, good ideas and great world building but it fell a little flat for me as a novel. It was more like a novella and I would have liked more of all of it.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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:
Yes
“Choosing was new for her, and she relished it.”
You know what I love? What I really, really love? When young adult books very adeptly feature narratives navigating bodily autonomy. When we're given characters who realize the importance of being able to choose what to do with their bodies—and when, and how—and then they get to keep making those choices? And anyone who tries to take that power away from them is (metaphorically) curb-stomped?
We love to see it.
I also love to see SFF books in the young adult sphere that clock in at less than 300 pages and feel fully realized without feeling rushed. Aetherbound is the epitome of “good things come in small packages.” It's punchy—but in a subtle, quiet way that sneaks up on you. It's my favourite sort of science fiction, where the heart of the book lies in the hearts of its characters and the characters are as compelling as the other-worldly settings. I positively adored Pendt, and Fisher, and Ned. Found family is truly the superior trope, huh?
All in all, E.K. Johnston served up a damn good meal here. *chef's kiss*
— — —
Also! The audiobook production is fan-fucking-tastic. Ashley Eckstein narrates to perfection, and the inclusion of sound effects and music add so perfectly to the atmosphere. It was a truly excellent experience. I highly recommend.
— — —
PS. For every SFF YA that casually mentions and normalizes menstruation, my heart goes pitter-patter.
adventurous
emotional
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:
Yes
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Overall: 2.75/5
Tropes:
Found Family
Fake Marriage
Pregnancy
TRIGGER WARNING: Calorie Counting, Gene Editing
The only life Pendt Harland has ever known is the one where she is seen as the useless member on board the family spaceship. She is often privy to conversations debating if she is worth the oxygen and food that she is using up. In order to escape this life of innate worthlessness, Pendt schemes to leave the ship and make a new life at a space station. However, her plans are quickly changed as she manages to intrigue the two male heirs and rulers of this station. They must all work together to escape the lives that none of them asked for but had always seemed destined to fulfill.
This YA fantasy/sci-fi book is a very short and relatively simple read. There is romance involved, but it is not the priority in the plot. It served as a good book to get me out of a little reading slump and for that I can commend it. Unfortunately, there were also a lot of things that I didn’t particularly enjoy.
Immediately I noticed that the “science” in this high-tech world wasn’t quite right, which put me off. Granted, I don’t expect everything in this genre to be realistic. But if you’re going to bother to explain the workings of a sci-fi world, it would probably be best to have base in some scientific reality. Putting that aside, the book is very plot driven with simple characters and a storyline that I found easy enough to understand. Although there are pros with it being such a short read, it also doesn’t lend to getting to know or care for the characters. I cared about Pendt, but that was pretty much it. The relationships and character traits of everyone else seemed to be a lot more “tell” than “show”. The premise of the book seemed more riveting than the actual plot.
This book does generally end Pendt’s story, though it is open ended enough to pick back up in future. The world conflicts are by no means solved and seems to prepare for a saga. I can’t see myself continuing this series but could see it being a good budding set of books for a young reader who is dipping their toes in science fiction.
Pros:
Fast Paced
Short
Easy to Understand Sci-Fi World
Enjoyable Writing Style
Intriguing Premise
Cons:
Ending Doesn’t Clear Up All of the Conflicts
Character Development is Minimal
Relationships are Unbelievable
Recommended for:
• Younger Readers (Early Teens)
• Quick Book for a Reading Slump
• First Foray into Sci-fi
Check out my platforms: https://linktr.ee/kimvo.books
Content Warnings
Minor: Medical content
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is a trans-affirming sci-fi book with a premise revolving around someone who has the ability to (in certain contexts) manipulate genetics. It's lovely to read something that doesn't try to "fix" the trans character, but finds other solutions for the in-universe problems caused by their chromosomal situation. It's similarly understanding and cathartic around issues including but not limited to neglect and food restriction. The tagline is "There's a fine line between survival and cruelty", and the overall arc is of someone who was raised under the claim of survival-driven scarcity, slowly, in a zone of love and abundance, untangling which parts of her upbringing were actually just cruel.
Major pieces of backstory and world-building are conveyed in a series of well-described but pretty dense infodumps, one at the very start and a few more sprinkled throughout the rest of the text. They felt a bit clunky but were sufficiently brief as to keep from being overwhelming. The overall effect works well and I love the main characters.
Major pieces of backstory and world-building are conveyed in a series of well-described but pretty dense infodumps, one at the very start and a few more sprinkled throughout the rest of the text. They felt a bit clunky but were sufficiently brief as to keep from being overwhelming. The overall effect works well and I love the main characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Medical content, Trafficking, Grief, Medical trauma
Minor: Child death, Death
From the book: “This book contains a scene of medical violence. Characters also obsess about food and count calories.”
I liked this and will read the next one if they continue the series. I can absolutely understand why some of the subjects in the books would be extremely triggering (i.e. eating disorders, medical abuse, slavery, etc.). Pay close attention to the content warnings if those things bother you. My only real complaints were that a lot of the story felt "told" and not "shown", which would have made for a much richer experiences and the audiobook had some sound effects that I didn't love.
Since E. K. Johnston confirmed that the story will continue (i.e. the Epilogue),I am making it a solid 4 Stars (well deserved). So much good in this new world.
I really enjoyed what she did with this story, from start to middle and near the end. At the end, I kept thinking...how are they going to finish this story as a standalone. It seems to me, that it SHOULD be the beginning of a series. There ARE places that still need to be explored. Not just physical, but emotional (between Ned, Fisher and Pendt.), but also some storylines that can branch off (naturally) from where it is ended.
To me, it felt TOO short. The saying is, "leave them wanting more." Well, I want more. If I knew there was another book in the works, then it would and should be a solid four star, or possibly higher. Therejust seems to be too much left of the world building AND the character development, to just end it. Here's to hoping for more.
I really enjoyed what she did with this story, from start to middle and near the end. At the end, I kept thinking...how are they going to finish this story as a standalone. It seems to me, that it SHOULD be the beginning of a series. There ARE places that still need to be explored. Not just physical, but emotional (between Ned, Fisher and Pendt.), but also some storylines that can branch off (naturally) from where it is ended.
To me, it felt TOO short. The saying is, "leave them wanting more." Well, I want more. If I knew there was another book in the works, then it would and should be a solid four star, or possibly higher. Therejust seems to be too much left of the world building AND the character development, to just end it. Here's to hoping for more.