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millennialbookreview's reviews
541 reviews
This Is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone, Amal El-Mohtar
4.0
4.5 Stars
I really enjoyed the rather small-scale nature of this story. While Red and Blue are on opposite sides of the time war, the story isn't about the war itself, but rather the relationship developing between the two women. I was fascinated while reading of the different times and moments in history that each character was sent to. I also found it entertaining reading their letters to each other. The intricacies of the plot and how events in each moment in time fit together in the overall narrative was done so well and made the conclusion of the story so satisfying. And the ending was phenomenal.
Sometimes the prose was a little too much for me. The language in the letters got a little too flowery and that kind of put me off. This is not a book one can just breeze straight through. It's confusing at the start and it takes a little while to work out what is going on. Like any story about time-travel, this is a book the reader needs to pay close attention to. It takes some work, but it's more than worth it.
I really enjoyed the rather small-scale nature of this story. While Red and Blue are on opposite sides of the time war, the story isn't about the war itself, but rather the relationship developing between the two women. I was fascinated while reading of the different times and moments in history that each character was sent to. I also found it entertaining reading their letters to each other. The intricacies of the plot and how events in each moment in time fit together in the overall narrative was done so well and made the conclusion of the story so satisfying. And the ending was phenomenal.
Sometimes the prose was a little too much for me. The language in the letters got a little too flowery and that kind of put me off. This is not a book one can just breeze straight through. It's confusing at the start and it takes a little while to work out what is going on. Like any story about time-travel, this is a book the reader needs to pay close attention to. It takes some work, but it's more than worth it.
Before the Broken Star by Emily R. King
1.0
Before the Broken Star didn't really impress me. The ideas were there and the author had plenty of opportunity to create an interesting story, but failed to deliver. The novel suffered from poor pacing and not really knowing what it wanted to be about. The author has a very unique style and knows how to create a scene, but struggles to weave together a compelling plot.
My full review can be found here
My full review can be found here
Android Chronicles: Origins by Lance Erlick
3.0
This was a fun, short read. I was looking for a book about robots and AI, and this novella hit the spot. I enjoyed the author's writing style and appreciated that this story didn't have a ton of filler. I wasn't able to get fully invested in the story, however, and some aspects of the plot were very predictable.
God Emperor of Dune by Frank Herbert
1.0
God Emperor of Dune was a disappointment for me. Herbert clearly had a lot of very big ideas, but didn’t quite manage to explore on those ideas in an interesting and entertaining way. I liked elements of the plot, but not the plot overall. I can see how this novel sets up the events of the last two novels in the Dune saga written by Frank Herbert before his death, but given how much I disliked this novel, I don’t think I’ll be reading them. Right now, I’m no longer invested in the rest of this story, as its moved so far away from what was seen in the original Dune.
My in-depth review can be found here.
My in-depth review can be found here.
Galactic Mandate: The Scream by M.R. Richardson, Wrenn Simms
2.0
I received an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Galactic Mandate: The Scream was underwhelming to me. There was a lot of potential in the story and the author’s ideas, but there weren’t enough pages to do it justice. Scenes felt rushed, some felt like they were thrown in. Important moments weren’t given enough attention. I do feel like, if given a longer page count to work with, the author could’ve written an amazing novel. I hope M. R. Richardson’s next novel is given the length it deserves.
My full review can be found here
Galactic Mandate: The Scream was underwhelming to me. There was a lot of potential in the story and the author’s ideas, but there weren’t enough pages to do it justice. Scenes felt rushed, some felt like they were thrown in. Important moments weren’t given enough attention. I do feel like, if given a longer page count to work with, the author could’ve written an amazing novel. I hope M. R. Richardson’s next novel is given the length it deserves.
My full review can be found here
Deep Space: Short Stories by Milo James Fowler
3.0
This book was rather hit-or-miss for me. Some stories I really enjoyed, while others didn't grab my attention. I enjoyed the longer tales, while the shorter ones felt like they were over before they could really get started.
Eve: The Awakening by Jenna Moreci
2.0
I wanted to like Eve: The Awakening, but to be honest, it just wasn't right for me. It's not a terrible book, but I didn't really enjoy very much of it. There were too many extra elements that weren't needed, too many side plots which took me out of the story. Considering this is Jenna Moreci's debut novel, I wouldn't say that it was bad, just a bit disappointing. Perhaps I set my expectations too high going into this novel.
Countdown to Omega: The Strangers came... by Robert Wingfield
4.0
I was provided with a free copy of the book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Countdown to Omega is an excellent book. It takes two seemingly very different topics: Greek myths and aliens and melds them together quite well. It’s not suited to be a fast, casual read though. I think any fan of sci-fi should read it. It’s a fascinated, deep, well-executed story. I’m not sure if the author plans to write a sequel or not, as the ending works for both a stand-alone novel or the first in a series, but I’m excited to read what other stories he has to offer.
An in-depth review can be found here
Countdown to Omega is an excellent book. It takes two seemingly very different topics: Greek myths and aliens and melds them together quite well. It’s not suited to be a fast, casual read though. I think any fan of sci-fi should read it. It’s a fascinated, deep, well-executed story. I’m not sure if the author plans to write a sequel or not, as the ending works for both a stand-alone novel or the first in a series, but I’m excited to read what other stories he has to offer.
An in-depth review can be found here