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metanav's reviews
35 reviews
Artemis by Andy Weir
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
really is just eh, quick and easy read and entertaining enough at points. the voice of the protag was slightly different but too similar to mark's in the martian and though her identity as a woman of color played a major part into her character, she reads like she was written by a white man. there's nothing wrong with a female character embracing her sexuality, but she doesn't deliver that in the way it would from a female perspective, which is especially noticeable since this is first person.
not to mention the focus on the racial identities of the other non-white characters, while never dipping quite into offensive territory and admittedly having some relevance to the story (in some cases), felt unnecessary and othering coming from a white author. it reads like a white person who knows juuuuust enough not to be offensive, but not quite enough to make it meaningful.
the world building was enjoyable enough though, and while i do love hard scifi, the scientific focus actually felt somewhat off for this story compared to the martian despite the fact that jazz was all but confirmed to be a genius or at least a quick study in multiple fields since it wasn't really expanded on in an interesting way.
i've heard better reviews from project hail mary, and the martian was enjoyable enough, so i'm not necessarily writing off weir's other books, but i think this one was just not for me and not for him either.
not to mention the focus on the racial identities of the other non-white characters, while never dipping quite into offensive territory and admittedly having some relevance to the story (in some cases), felt unnecessary and othering coming from a white author. it reads like a white person who knows juuuuust enough not to be offensive, but not quite enough to make it meaningful.
the world building was enjoyable enough though, and while i do love hard scifi, the scientific focus actually felt somewhat off for this story compared to the martian despite the fact that jazz was all but confirmed to be a genius or at least a quick study in multiple fields since it wasn't really expanded on in an interesting way.
i've heard better reviews from project hail mary, and the martian was enjoyable enough, so i'm not necessarily writing off weir's other books, but i think this one was just not for me and not for him either.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Deportation
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Incest, Pedophilia, Car accident, and Death of parent
The Tusks of Extinction by Ray Nayler
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
would've loved a full length story of this but it was effective the way it was
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Gun violence, and Murder
Minor: Trafficking
The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika Kim
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
interesting enough book on feminine rage, specifically exacerbated by her experiences as an asian american woman suffering from very real things that i've experienced as a feminine asian american person myself. at times felt a little too on the nose, but that could've been purposeful, with the focus to be more on ji-won's spiral. overall i liked ji-won more than i didn't, but i didn't love her either.
multiple aspects of the story (ex: failed/sabotaged high school friendships) served a specific purpose but it didn't fully carry it out and as a result felt out of place. unless i'm misremembering as i did read this part at like 1am,even the event itself felt almost OOC to me? her hiding her friend's ring to try to sabotage the friendship just over jealousy of not getting into the school? it would've been one thing if their friendship was set up to be tumultuous to begin with, but the fact that it was established to be completely cordial up until that point made everything feel off kilter. even w/ some brushed over history and the events throughout the story, the buildup of everything ji-won was going through felt very sudden and abrupt despite attempts to build it up. the cancer reveal was a definitely an eye roll, and the end of the book overall left me dissatisfied.
wish there was more on ji-won and alexis's relationship though! and umma's character definitely plucked at my heartstrings, even though she is completely different from my own mother, just remembering her own personal struggles as a poor refugee definitely made me emotional over her both her parents' struggles.
multiple aspects of the story (ex: failed/sabotaged high school friendships) served a specific purpose but it didn't fully carry it out and as a result felt out of place. unless i'm misremembering as i did read this part at like 1am,
wish there was more on ji-won and alexis's relationship though! and umma's character definitely plucked at my heartstrings, even though she is completely different from my own mother, just remembering her own personal struggles as a poor refugee definitely made me emotional over her both her parents' struggles.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Misogyny, Racism, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Cannibalism, Stalking, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Infidelity, Pedophilia, Suicidal thoughts, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Cancer, Kidnapping, and Toxic friendship
I Keep My Exoskeletons to Myself by Marisa Crane
Did not finish book. Stopped at 3%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 3%.
i loved the writing but the grief was just a little too much for me to handle and i mean that as a compliment. the introduced concept did seem interesting tho
Everyone On This Train Is A Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Alcoholism, Child death, Pedophilia, Rape, Vomit, Car accident, and Alcohol
A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Vela: Salvation by Nicole Givens Kurtz, Maura Milan, Sangu Mandanna, Ashley Poston
Did not finish book. Stopped at 77%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 77%.
was just missing the same charm the first book had
This Is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone, Amal El-Mohtar
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
just wasn’t feeling it tbh. i got further in the e-book than the audio book but it was not hitting, may try to pick it up again
The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
patience is necessary—i nearly dnf this book but i persevered and it paid off. i didn’t start to enjoy it until the story leaves the first planet, but the imagery and characters were beautiful and the sci-fi world building felt familiar but also fresh. pacing is slow at times but it gives you time to really get to know the characters and it definitely made me emotional near the end
just keep in mind content warnings, i added what i could remember but it probably isn’t all exhaustive.
just keep in mind content warnings, i added what i could remember but it probably isn’t all exhaustive.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug use, Alcohol, and Colonisation
Minor: Sexual content, Suicide, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5