The system of shadow blood capitalist condo magic is so fascinating that it saves my review. It’s a good book, but so grimdark that finishing it felt more of a chore than a good read. But it’s a book set in Toronto that pushes new boundaries so I don’t regret reading it.
Solid really cute sci-fi. A quick and easy to read series that I feel people who loved a long way to a small angry planet, or the fall of Hyperion, would appreciate.
This book is like A Long Way From A Small Angry Planet had a child with Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki. Novel blend of whodunnit with serious novel and hard science fiction. Especially love that there are no men on this 80 person story. Really helps the plot shine — and I’d never before considered that bc people assigned male at birth can’t carry children, they debatably need not have a place on deep space missions. I will be following this author closely!
Good summary. More historical than forward looking and prescriptive. I’d recommend Superbugs by Matt McCarthy or Immune by Paul Dettmer for folks interested in the immune system or our pandemic riddled future
It’s alright. I expected something more gripping from a series I’d heard so much about. I can see why this book was progressive and groundbreaking a decade ago. But in 2024 it needs a better reason to read it. I don’t love the “I’m going to keep you confused about the world instead of creating narrative suspense in the plot” which is why my rating docs points. The Tixcalaan doulogy simply feels like a better version of what this book is.
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The character M Gladstone is why I finished this book. A badass space empire KWEEEN who MOTHERED from start to finish. The rest was a sci fi obviously written in the 1980s and everything that comes with that. But has a stronger plot carrying the book through than the first book.
Fascinating modern fantasy that I found very gripping. Lovable characters. A cool world with rules unlike any I’ve seen before. Unique and original. What I want in fiction.
I’d recommend it to people who like fantasy and books like Gideon the Ninth, or Ancillary Justice, or Ursula Le Guin.
I did find it hard to follow at times and wish the author would use “the audience not knowing the world as a way to create intrigue” less. But I was captivated.