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A review by dan_tee
The Lives of Tao by Wesley Chu
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Lives of Tao follows our resident immortal alien ghost (Tao) in the body of a schlubby loser (Roan) as the two try to learn how to work together and understand each other, all while fighting off the evil Genjix who wants to continue causing harm to humanity because conflict breeds innovation.
So that's the big premise, andit's fun. The book is fun. There's a lot to poke holes in here - and this is the first in the series, so maybe some of these holes will be plugged in the future - but this book works if you take it as what it is; a fun spy action-comedy.
I liked the humour of the book, and how realistic the main character felt. Yes, he's a bit whiny and lazy, but frankly, I'm lazy and whiny, and I don't have a weird ghostly alien with some noble mission living inside of me.
The action scenes feel clear, and the book moves at a clip. The introduction does an especially good job of getting us in the James Bond mindset, only to be hit in the face with flabby reality when we meet Roen. There are stakes, and people do get hurt or die. This isn't a book which is afraid to hurt a character you might like.
I don't like how easily everyone seems to trust the Prophus (the name of the group Tao and other "good" ghost aliens go by) who split from their main faction merely a century or two ago.
I don't enjoy Roen tricking his way into charming a women into liking him by just parroting everything Tao says to him. It feels gross and manipulative, because it is.
Nor do I particularly enjoy the paper thing women characters, of whom there are only 3. We have cool ass kicking hot babe who is hot, Roens girlfriend (whose personality is that she takes a lot of long work trips), and the British girl, who is also good looking and likes tea.
I'm being facetious, of course, but I'm not far off the mark in most of my complaints.
So, would I rec mmend it? Yes, if you want to read an action movie, it'll fill that niche. If you're after a spy story about warring factions of aliens...it might scratch that particular itch. But if you want anything deeper, don't bother.
Despite how this review sounds, I did enjoy the book overall, and will probably continue with the series. It's always easier to talk about dislikes than likes, so if anything I've said has made you go "hey, that sounds fun actually" then give this a read. It's fast paced and direct; you'll know within a chapter or two if it's for you or not.
So that's the big premise, andit's fun. The book is fun. There's a lot to poke holes in here - and this is the first in the series, so maybe some of these holes will be plugged in the future - but this book works if you take it as what it is; a fun spy action-comedy.
I liked the humour of the book, and how realistic the main character felt. Yes, he's a bit whiny and lazy, but frankly, I'm lazy and whiny, and I don't have a weird ghostly alien with some noble mission living inside of me.
The action scenes feel clear, and the book moves at a clip. The introduction does an especially good job of getting us in the James Bond mindset, only to be hit in the face with flabby reality when we meet Roen. There are stakes, and people do get hurt or die. This isn't a book which is afraid to hurt a character you might like.
I don't like how easily everyone seems to trust the Prophus (the name of the group Tao and other "good" ghost aliens go by) who split from their main faction merely a century or two ago.
I don't enjoy Roen tricking his way into charming a women into liking him by just parroting everything Tao says to him. It feels gross and manipulative, because it is.
Nor do I particularly enjoy the paper thing women characters, of whom there are only 3. We have cool ass kicking hot babe who is hot, Roens girlfriend (whose personality is that she takes a lot of long work trips), and the British girl, who is also good looking and likes tea.
I'm being facetious, of course, but I'm not far off the mark in most of my complaints.
So, would I rec mmend it? Yes, if you want to read an action movie, it'll fill that niche. If you're after a spy story about warring factions of aliens...it might scratch that particular itch. But if you want anything deeper, don't bother.
Despite how this review sounds, I did enjoy the book overall, and will probably continue with the series. It's always easier to talk about dislikes than likes, so if anything I've said has made you go "hey, that sounds fun actually" then give this a read. It's fast paced and direct; you'll know within a chapter or two if it's for you or not.