booksmithscientist's reviews
236 reviews

Made Things by Adrian Tchaikovsky

adventurous funny mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I feel like this book was just way more complicated than it should have been. Typically, Tchaikovsky's work is highly detailed and carefully weaves science with reality but for this one it needed to be simpler. Things were a little jumpy and disjointed which didn't make for a smooth read (IMO!) BUT I did really enjoy the concept. The execution just wasn't there for me. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence

All Systems Red by Martha Wells

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Mickey7 by Edward Ashton

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

adventurous challenging dark funny hopeful inspiring tense slow-paced

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

3.5

Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell

dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad slow-paced

4.0

Transcendence: How Humans Evolved through Fire, Language, Beauty, and Time by Gaia Vince

hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

3.0

Elder Race by Adrian Tchaikovsky

adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

The Colour Of Magic by Terry Pratchett

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

On the Edge of Infinity: Encounters with the Beauty of the Universe by Stefan Klein

challenging funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

4.0

Rubicon: The Triumph and Tragedy of the Roman Republic by Tom Holland
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.

Nope nope nopedy nope. Not for me. I can't think of anything more dull than Roman history... 😬