Scan barcode
A review by max_the_lesbrarian
The Red Scholar's Wake by Aliette de Bodard
3.0
A book about pirates? Sign me up. A book about lesbian pirates? Hell yes, give me it immediately! A book about lesbian pirates in space? I'm in heaven.
Unfortunately, though, this book was a bit of a let down. Bodard is a master with pretty prose and while I do really enjoy that, the characterization and pacing really took a hit. The premise was really interesting, and the world she set the book in had a lot of potential, but unfortunately the characters just didn't pull me in.
Xich Si had the potentially to be a really awesome character (love a good techy bot mechanic in my sci fi), but I just didn't buy it with her and Red Fish. This was the kind of premise that needed a decent slowburn, but this wasn't really it. The pacing was a bit off, and if this was a novella or even just a shorter novel I think I'd be able to buy how quickly things happened and how some of the world-building and character development lacked. It was a pretty fun read though, but I unfortunately don't think I'll be revisiting it.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Gollancz for the e-ARC.
Unfortunately, though, this book was a bit of a let down. Bodard is a master with pretty prose and while I do really enjoy that, the characterization and pacing really took a hit. The premise was really interesting, and the world she set the book in had a lot of potential, but unfortunately the characters just didn't pull me in.
Xich Si had the potentially to be a really awesome character (love a good techy bot mechanic in my sci fi), but I just didn't buy it with her and Red Fish. This was the kind of premise that needed a decent slowburn, but this wasn't really it. The pacing was a bit off, and if this was a novella or even just a shorter novel I think I'd be able to buy how quickly things happened and how some of the world-building and character development lacked. It was a pretty fun read though, but I unfortunately don't think I'll be revisiting it.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Gollancz for the e-ARC.