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A review by eizwein
The Red Scholar's Wake by Aliette de Bodard
3.0
I keep imagining how cool this would look animated in a style like Gankutsuou. It’s more like a light novel than a classic in space though.
If you want epic space fantasy with dumps of world building you’ll probably be disappointed. It’s a more simple story with some world building for neat aesthetics. I’d like something in between here, but personally I prefer it to over-explained.
I do wish the ships were more inhuman, they kind of just felt like people who happened to also be ships most of the time.
Also because anticipating the “acephobia” people have mentioned in some reviews had me on edge a large chunk of the book: obviously it’s up to your to make your own interpretations but…. there’s a single line from a non-evil antagonist (and all the main characters are pirates!) saying she and her partner are not interested in physical relationships. Maybe not the best writing choice ever but I’m not seeing the phobia.
Anyway, not going to run out for more in this universe but I might pick something up if I ever have less queued up to read or find myself in the mood for something in space.
If you want epic space fantasy with dumps of world building you’ll probably be disappointed. It’s a more simple story with some world building for neat aesthetics. I’d like something in between here, but personally I prefer it to over-explained.
I do wish the ships were more inhuman, they kind of just felt like people who happened to also be ships most of the time.
Also because anticipating the “acephobia” people have mentioned in some reviews had me on edge a large chunk of the book: obviously it’s up to your to make your own interpretations but…. there’s a single line from a non-evil antagonist (and all the main characters are pirates!) saying she and her partner are not interested in physical relationships. Maybe not the best writing choice ever but I’m not seeing the phobia.
Anyway, not going to run out for more in this universe but I might pick something up if I ever have less queued up to read or find myself in the mood for something in space.