A review by jraia
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

adventurous mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

The overall concept of this book is great, but the execution is really lacking for me. None of these characters have any depth or real personality. All the explanations of the science felt very mansplainy, because it was always Jason lecturing to some woman who has no substance or purpose other than to serve his goals. 

I also found it off putting how singularly obsessed Jason was with Daniela. I found no romance in his attempts to get back to her. It just felt like an obsessive man caring only about his own desires and insecurities, rather than the well-being and thoughts of the woman. Also gross how often Charlie was just an afterthought. 

Wouldn’t recommend the audiobook. The narrator gives every minor character very cartoonish voices, and reads Daniela in a particularly annoying way.