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A review by mirandadarrow
Obsidio by Jay Kristoff, Amie Kaufman
3.0
Unpopular opinion alert - I liked it, but I didn't love it. There are too many characters in this space opera, and I just cared a little less about each one than I did in the prior two books in the trilogy which each focused more closely on a single central romance. What's that you say? This isn't a romance? Sure, fine, that's not the listed genre, but the first two totally were, and this one isn't far off. It's just got a cast of thousands. Seriously I need a scorecard to keep track, and all the jumping around.
One word about medium. I, experienced reader of this trilogy, got to have the '2 media experience' as I had the hardcover book with all the fun graphics, and also reading at the same time from the audiobook I checked out from the library. I waited to start this until my CDs came in at the good old library. And that was good. The audiobook production is awesome, sounds like a movie, sound affects, and a full cast with cool voices for everyone. Anyone whose only read the books and not heard the audio is missing out on the wonderfulness that is surveillance tape transcriber with the cool English accent - love that dude and his snarky comments. And with also having the hardcover, I can see the passed notes, the picture, the blueprints and maps, etc. It's the only way to fly. No issues with either medium.
My issues are with the story itself. And it's not bad. I liked the book. I thought it was a strong ending to the trilogy, which all of us YA fans know is not always the case.
1. the voices of some of the younger "leaders" we are following are just obnoxiously bratty. I'm not YA, but I do have kids. All the sass getting in the way of working with oldesters. Annoying.
2. too many characters, too much jumping around. Maybe stick with our "new couple" Ash and Rhys for longer, more consistent chunks. This actually could have been an issue with me listening primary on audio, as, wait, who are we with now. When did we switch over to the planet?
3. Speaking of Ash and Rhys, with our cast of thousands we didn't get the time spent on their relationship backstory, which was so huge for Kady and Ezra in book one, really got me hooked on the series. They were first loves with matching tattoos, and then he got sent to military school off planet, she never wrote back to him, and she's mad that the boy who was sent to military school is in the military. There - you are caught up.
4. And so much going on between Rhys' training officer Oshiro and the Duke. Damn, I wanted to grab popcorn and just watch that whole show, but we were too busy listening to Hannah be sassy on the 'coms, antagonizing people whose cooperation they should be securing to take on a mutual enemy. But no. Loved Oshiro and Duke and the dilemma it raised about how 'good people' can end up on the 'wrong' side of a war. This whole thing reminded me of "How I Live Now" by Meg Rosoff which was wonderful YA, folks.
5. Hannah is my least favorite. I'm sorry, but a small female who doesn't have a body and muscle mass of a large man is not kicking all their asses no matter how much Krav Maga she'd studied when they are in body armor, not to mention armed and trained soldiers. She's all mouth. I liked Nik better, frankly. And pretty much everyone else besides Hannah.
6. The ending. No spoiler, but if you thought the end of Book Two was Deus es machina (God in a machine - a 'magic' ending) then you will probably be shaking your head along with me. Why, people. Unless you really did want this categorized as "romance" in which case, mission accomplished.
Okay, that's my thoughts on Obsidio, and I'm happy to have read the series, but think this could have been shorter yet more focused on the characters who have the main story arcs to make this stronger.
One word about medium. I, experienced reader of this trilogy, got to have the '2 media experience' as I had the hardcover book with all the fun graphics, and also reading at the same time from the audiobook I checked out from the library. I waited to start this until my CDs came in at the good old library. And that was good. The audiobook production is awesome, sounds like a movie, sound affects, and a full cast with cool voices for everyone. Anyone whose only read the books and not heard the audio is missing out on the wonderfulness that is surveillance tape transcriber with the cool English accent - love that dude and his snarky comments. And with also having the hardcover, I can see the passed notes, the picture, the blueprints and maps, etc. It's the only way to fly. No issues with either medium.
My issues are with the story itself. And it's not bad. I liked the book. I thought it was a strong ending to the trilogy, which all of us YA fans know is not always the case.
1. the voices of some of the younger "leaders" we are following are just obnoxiously bratty. I'm not YA, but I do have kids. All the sass getting in the way of working with oldesters. Annoying.
2. too many characters, too much jumping around. Maybe stick with our "new couple" Ash and Rhys for longer, more consistent chunks. This actually could have been an issue with me listening primary on audio, as, wait, who are we with now. When did we switch over to the planet?
3. Speaking of Ash and Rhys, with our cast of thousands we didn't get the time spent on their relationship backstory, which was so huge for Kady and Ezra in book one, really got me hooked on the series. They were first loves with matching tattoos, and then he got sent to military school off planet, she never wrote back to him, and she's mad that the boy who was sent to military school is in the military. There - you are caught up.
4. And so much going on between Rhys' training officer Oshiro and the Duke. Damn, I wanted to grab popcorn and just watch that whole show, but we were too busy listening to Hannah be sassy on the 'coms, antagonizing people whose cooperation they should be securing to take on a mutual enemy. But no. Loved Oshiro and Duke and the dilemma it raised about how 'good people' can end up on the 'wrong' side of a war. This whole thing reminded me of "How I Live Now" by Meg Rosoff which was wonderful YA, folks.
5. Hannah is my least favorite. I'm sorry, but a small female who doesn't have a body and muscle mass of a large man is not kicking all their asses no matter how much Krav Maga she'd studied when they are in body armor, not to mention armed and trained soldiers. She's all mouth. I liked Nik better, frankly. And pretty much everyone else besides Hannah.
6. The ending. No spoiler, but if you thought the end of Book Two was Deus es machina (God in a machine - a 'magic' ending) then you will probably be shaking your head along with me. Why, people. Unless you really did want this categorized as "romance" in which case, mission accomplished.
Okay, that's my thoughts on Obsidio, and I'm happy to have read the series, but think this could have been shorter yet more focused on the characters who have the main story arcs to make this stronger.