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ninegladiolus 's review for:
August Kitko and the Mechas from Space
by Alex White
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Even if August Kitko and the Mechas from Space WEREN’T written by Alex White, who has a cozy place on my bookshelves as a favourite author, simply saying the words ‘big robots in space and also make it hella queer’ is enough to get me to drop everything to check out a book. And after going begging—I mean, politely asking for and receiving an advance reader copy of this book, I could not be more thrilled to declare August Kitko and the Mechas from space a cinematic, emotional, action-packed ride from start to finish.
From the start, this novel hooked me. Protagonist Gus Kitko is resigned to his fate along with his fellow humans, literally playing out humanity with his technically elevated and artistically unique jazz at the last party it’s going to throw. The giant and omega-powerful robot known as a Vanguard arrives on Earth as expected, but instead of killing Gus and everything around him, it saves Gus instead. On top of that, mega-popular rockstar and nonbinary siren Ardent Violet ends up in Gus’ orbit, drawn into both the frantic crescendo of humanity’s encore and Gus’ part in it.
If I listed everything I loved about this novel, we’d be here for another four thousand words, so I’ll focus on what I loved most instead, starting with the most pleasant surprise: the thematic exploration of art (specifically music), humanity, and the universal connection it can inspire in us all regardless of where or what we come from. Alongside all the delicious transhumanist elements, this theme was a delight. Music deeply inspires me on a personal level, so to get insight into the ways in which music creates meaning for and inspires Gus, Ardent, and other secondary characters introduced later in the book was as equally thrilling as giant mechas fighting.
And speaking of giant mechas fighting… wow, was I in for a treat on that front. I mean, c’mon. Loving descriptions of each and every Vanguard that shows up on-page? Immaculately choreographed and lightning-paced fight scenes between said Vanguards? Cool code names? Weird and intense and powerful pilot-mecha connections? GIANT ROBOT SWORDS? Stick a fork in me, I’m done.
Last but certainly not least, Gus and Ardent were both uniquely compelling protagonists, in large part because they’re both deeply flawed. Who wouldn’t be in a setting that begins in horrible, galaxy-wide apocalyptic conditions? But their flaws only served to highlight their humanity, and it was refreshing to see characters thrust into world-saving circumstances and not necessarily respond in heroic, brave ways every single time. Plus, I have a particular weakness for ostentatious, borderline-narcissistic-but-impeccably-stylish, artistically talented, yet still loveable nonbinary characters, and Ardent fits that bill well.
Anyway, if you, like me, start to experience siren-like levels of excitement in your brain region at the phrase ‘giant mechas in space and also extraordinarily queer’, this is my hearty recommendation to get your hands on August Kitko and the Mechas from Space by Alex White. Page turning and intense from beginning to end and with so much more potential to come, I can’t wait to see what The Starmetal Symphony has in store.
Thank you to Orbit and Edelweiss for an advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.
From the start, this novel hooked me. Protagonist Gus Kitko is resigned to his fate along with his fellow humans, literally playing out humanity with his technically elevated and artistically unique jazz at the last party it’s going to throw. The giant and omega-powerful robot known as a Vanguard arrives on Earth as expected, but instead of killing Gus and everything around him, it saves Gus instead. On top of that, mega-popular rockstar and nonbinary siren Ardent Violet ends up in Gus’ orbit, drawn into both the frantic crescendo of humanity’s encore and Gus’ part in it.
If I listed everything I loved about this novel, we’d be here for another four thousand words, so I’ll focus on what I loved most instead, starting with the most pleasant surprise: the thematic exploration of art (specifically music), humanity, and the universal connection it can inspire in us all regardless of where or what we come from. Alongside all the delicious transhumanist elements, this theme was a delight. Music deeply inspires me on a personal level, so to get insight into the ways in which music creates meaning for and inspires Gus, Ardent, and other secondary characters introduced later in the book was as equally thrilling as giant mechas fighting.
And speaking of giant mechas fighting… wow, was I in for a treat on that front. I mean, c’mon. Loving descriptions of each and every Vanguard that shows up on-page? Immaculately choreographed and lightning-paced fight scenes between said Vanguards? Cool code names? Weird and intense and powerful pilot-mecha connections? GIANT ROBOT SWORDS? Stick a fork in me, I’m done.
Last but certainly not least, Gus and Ardent were both uniquely compelling protagonists, in large part because they’re both deeply flawed. Who wouldn’t be in a setting that begins in horrible, galaxy-wide apocalyptic conditions? But their flaws only served to highlight their humanity, and it was refreshing to see characters thrust into world-saving circumstances and not necessarily respond in heroic, brave ways every single time. Plus, I have a particular weakness for ostentatious, borderline-narcissistic-but-impeccably-stylish, artistically talented, yet still loveable nonbinary characters, and Ardent fits that bill well.
Anyway, if you, like me, start to experience siren-like levels of excitement in your brain region at the phrase ‘giant mechas in space and also extraordinarily queer’, this is my hearty recommendation to get your hands on August Kitko and the Mechas from Space by Alex White. Page turning and intense from beginning to end and with so much more potential to come, I can’t wait to see what The Starmetal Symphony has in store.
Thank you to Orbit and Edelweiss for an advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.