A review by arushiisreading
Antimatter Blues by Edward Ashton

adventurous funny lighthearted reflective 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? N/A

4.25

If Mickey7 was clever and quick, Antimatter Blues is where things finally start to land with some emotional and moral weight.

The pacing is still snappy, the tone still sharp and self-aware, but this time around, the stakes feel more grounded - not just in terms of action, but in actual human (and alien) consequences. Mickey is still Mickey - sarcastic, reluctant, very much not a traditional hero - but there’s more depth to his choices here. The dilemmas he faces are messier, and the book gives them space to breathe. It asks better questions: about survival, trust, loyalty, and what it means to protect a future that might not include everyone. And for once, Mickey actually seems to care.

I also felt more invested in the relationships this time - especially with Nasha - and the emotional beats land harder because they’re not just reactions to plot, but reflections of growth. It’s still not what I’d call deeply introspective sci-fi, but it feels more alive, more morally curious. It’s like Ashton turned up the heart without losing the fun.

So yeah, still smart, still fun, but with more soul. Antimatter Blues gave me what I was missing in Mickey7, and it stuck with me more because of it.