icarusabides's reviews
565 reviews

A Practical Guide to Conquering the World by K.J. Parker

slow-paced

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

2.0

Starts off fairly interesting but quickly descends into a competency power fantasy of a unlikeable character getting whatever he wants, mostly by hoodwinking silly savages with his genius, and with little to no stakes at any stage. It's just here's the problem, here's the solution, ah it worked what luck.

The Devil You Know by K.J. Parker

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers

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adventurous medium-paced

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

2.0

The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett

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adventurous funny medium-paced

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

4.0

System Collapse by Martha Wells

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adventurous slow-paced

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

2.0

I think the shine has come off this series for me and this book being such a direct plot follow on to book five, with six taking place earlier, really didn't help. The series just worked better for me when it was smaller in scale and more personally focused. The attempt to expand everything by throwing more and more characters in and half arsed political negotiations without adding any depth has turned me off it.

It's a shame the series went off down this convoluted interconnected path with Preservation and the University rather than Murderbot off having standalone adventures across corporation space each installment and the overarching plot being Murderbots personal development. Ah well.

Blood, Sweat & Chrome: The Wild and True Story of Mad Max: Fury Road by Kyle Buchanan

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informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

Network Effect by Martha Wells

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3.0

And Put Away Childish Things by Adrian Tchaikovsky

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adventurous dark funny medium-paced