garbutch's review

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

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augustar14's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

If you like stories that feel like multiple stories with the same characters in one book...
If you like sci-fi stories where something's not quite right, but you're not sure exactly what...
If you like gay romance combined with mindfucks, the most irritating AI you'll ever meet, and figuring out how to send a big 'ol middle finger to The System...
You'll enjoy A Complicated Love Story Set in Space.

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stopthesun's review

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adventurous dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


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autumnrh's review

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adventurous emotional lighthearted mysterious medium-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

2.75

I don’t really know about this one. For one thing it wasn’t completely terrible, there were some parts that I really enjoyed. On the other hand there was so much I didn’t like about this book. It just felt like it was full of lazy writing so half of the plot points didn’t make any sense. For example, in the case of when
the alien attacked the ship
it was completely pointless and had no use in the story at all in my opinion. I also wasn’t tooooo fond of the ending, it was a bit underwhelming and we were left learning pretty much nothing. Overall it was an alright read but not something I personally would read again.

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macroscopicentric's review

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adventurous funny 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

3.0

Douglas Adams-esque worldbuilding, of the cheerfully absurd variety, although here it’s an updated version that’s more about the excesses of capitalism than bureaucracy.

It takes a while to get to the payoff (I think I was 77% of the way through the audio book), but very worth it. The book revels in its ridiculous yet dystopian worldbuilding the entire time, which makes for an entertaining read even when you don’t know what’s going on, but really picks up and becomes a lot more cohesive 3/4 of the way through in a way that very satisfactorily explains the first part. Ridiculous fun.

I think my only major hesitation in recommending/reviewing this is the
rape subplot, which felt more unnecessarily cruel once you learn what’s going on. I understand the point in-universe is that the backstory provided _is_ unnecessarily cruel, but I don’t think that justifies its usage within the story, and I think something else could’ve been used as an effective substitute without losing the emotional depth or meta discussion. In the end, the big reveal felt like it inadvertently trivialized the rape.

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averyconfusedhomosapiensbooks's review

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adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5


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kaitielou's review

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adventurous challenging dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

An interesting read. The main characters are interesting and I loved seeing them change through the book.
The ending is a bit ambiguous which is ok since it allows you to form your own ideas about what will happen next

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leetriestowrite's review

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious sad tense 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

5.0

if i could give this book 10/5 stars, i would. this is my new favorite book.

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rachelditty's review

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adventurous mysterious tense 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

5.0

Shaun David Hutchinson roped me in with the synopsis and kept me interested until the very end. A lovable read, as always.
There is so much I could say about this book. I loved Noa, the pessimistic jerk of a narrator. He was a great perspective to read from - a selfish main character was a breath of fresh air. I fell in love with DJ's character with every page; his kindness, his wit, and how thoughtful he was toward both his friends and shipmates. Their dynamic was the classic trope of angry, mean character falls for the blushy, kind character, and I was here for it. Jenny was kick-ass, and I loved her more and more as the story went on. The plot was a bit predictable - I figured out where it was (relatively) going during the time-loop section, but it was still pure fun to read. Hutchinson always reminds me how FUN it is to get into a book, and with how full of tropes and clichés this one was, it was impossible not to enjoy it. I don't know how I'm going to fit all the quotes I marked down into my reading journal. And looking back on what I've marked, I already know I'm going to love re-reading this piece and seeing all the foreshadowing and double-meanings to what DJ says to Noa and Jenny. I know Hutchinson isn't one for sequels, mostly writing stand-alone novels, but I really, really hope we get to see Noa, DJ, Jenny, and Ty again in a future story, kicking ass and taking names blowing up the high schools around the galaxy, learning to accept themselves and their pasts while loving their present and looking toward a bright future, and falling even more in love. I always deeply enjoy Hutchinson's works, but this has jumped to my top three by him. It makes me want to re-read all his works again. I can't wait to see what he comes up with next.

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hungryandhappy's review

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adventurous emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Well, this didn't go at all how I expected. I loved it, though. It was weird, complicated, fun, and it had many little details that reminded me of a few movies. It was really a peculiar little complicated story.

Noa wakes up in space with absolutely no recollection of how he got there and he's already in danger and being helped via radio by DJ, a cute guy in his same position. Together with Jenny, who they find stuck in a toilet, they must understand what the hell is going on and get back home before it's too late.

There are many mysteries, many things we don't know as readers that the characters also don't know. We are almost in the same boat (in this case spaceship) as them and we have to have a bit of fun trying to solve the mystery. I loved all the elements that made this story, and I loved the growing romance between Noa and DJ, how it wasn't rushed but neither too slow burn.

I had many theories and one came really close. I was surprised by every twist and turn this story took. I was really invested in what was happening! I needed to know! I really liked how the book ended! Very entertaining even with its flaws and heavier content of certain parts. (the CW/TW are listed at the beginning of the book/audiobook)

I recommend it for fans of YA sci-fi books that focus a lot in romance without having the sci-fi parts be less present.

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