A review by emory
Rogue by Alex Schuler, Kevin Weir

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

3.0

This book very succinctly presents the whisperings of intriguing ideas, fun characters, and thrilling action scenes, but then doesn't develop nearly any of them to a satisfying point. The writing style was very much not my thing either. It felt, other than the gruesome deaths, like a middle grade read in both plot points and writing. I was very disappointed, because I feel like it was interweaving some really strong and interesting themes and ideas, but then just didnt have to strength to carry them.

I'm also undecided on whether or not the "aliens" being human ancestors and the simulation point were fun and bold developments or just kind of silly (with some weird implications that I also would've liked more exploration into by the narrative itself?) I'm also deeply ambivalent to that super grim ending. I'm not opposed to sad or hopeless endings and can see why the author would wrap it up in this way, but it felt all wrong for this particular story!


A decent enough sci-fi romp, but not a favorite.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings