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pewter's reviews
97 reviews
The Other Valley by Scott Alexander Howard
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
2.5
This had the potential and beginnings of a 5 star read, and I really wanted to love it. I'm a big fan of the speculative and uncanny, and it contrasted really well with a great portrayal of youth / coming-of-age and some mundane realities like wealth inequality, alcohol abuse, estrangement. These are all really engaging together and the first 1/3 of the book is really strong.
However, the transition to the second part of the book is where things start to lose track. As a reader, I am constantly wondering about other things that are never explored, and the pacing grinds while we push through padding that we don't really care about. In the final climax the pace suddenly barrels forward, and we barely get to catch up on the consequences or any of the other interesting bits.
All in all, it's a fine read, but it really feels like lost potential. What about the surrounding world? What about pushing this time-mechanic even further? Even more satisfying would be throw backs, links across timelines, "ah-ha!" moments that just seem to be missing.
This could have been a speculative short story about fates, like an Ursula K. Le Guin-esque exploration of different people's experiences living in this oppressive town. Or if not a short story, maybe a more in-depth dive of the mechanics. As is, it feels like a somewhat unfinished concept with a lot of filler.
The choice not to use quotation marks- was this to slow us down on purpose? Was this to indicate that it was all really just all in one person's narrative? I'm sure it was purposeful but it was a little annoying.
However, the transition to the second part of the book is where things start to lose track. As a reader, I am constantly wondering about other things that are never explored, and the pacing grinds while we push through padding that we don't really care about. In the final climax the pace suddenly barrels forward, and we barely get to catch up on the consequences or any of the other interesting bits.
All in all, it's a fine read, but it really feels like lost potential. What about the surrounding world? What about pushing this time-mechanic even further? Even more satisfying would be throw backs, links across timelines, "ah-ha!" moments that just seem to be missing.
This could have been a speculative short story about fates, like an Ursula K. Le Guin-esque exploration of different people's experiences living in this oppressive town. Or if not a short story, maybe a more in-depth dive of the mechanics. As is, it feels like a somewhat unfinished concept with a lot of filler.
The choice not to use quotation marks- was this to slow us down on purpose? Was this to indicate that it was all really just all in one person's narrative? I'm sure it was purposeful but it was a little annoying.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.75
This book WANTS to be a deep thinking hard scifi but it reads more like a Dan Brown mystery in space. It's just one magically skillful, impossibly smart guy in a series of increasingly unbelievable situations that just has no pacing / stakes. I love scifi, I love suspending my disbelief - this is so not that.
FYI if the world found practically infinite amounts of energy, I don't think the best solution to the climate issue would be build a single spaceship for answers. It would be "use that energy to make tech to mitigate the problems". Also I love Rocky but... just entirely pulls me out of the story that this alien can speak with the same grammar, the vocabulary that they work out, the understanding, the sarcasm. It's adorably impossible.
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
With loads of recommendations and hype for this book, I had my bar set quite high coming in, and I can totally understand why people are enamoured with this book. Gideon has a strong voice, there is a wide cast of characters from different houses à la Hunger Games; suspense and tension collide with lovingly described environment and complex world building. Yep, it's a decent book.
The good stuff:
The things that work for me are often what don't work for others - I love being dropped off in sci-fi land with a ton of complex jargon. I don't mind being left out of the loop on how things work, part of the fun is when it clicks. I also think there were some really well built reader assumptions that lead to some decent surprises.
Normally I don't have a ton of patience for copious environmental description (looking at you, Tolkien) but Gideon the Ninth does it decently. I found myself carefully reading each new setting, each characters appearance, as it was gently described and enjoyed imagining it. Sometimes it was too much and challenged the pacing - it's hard to pay attention to detailed descriptions of bone monsters while they're speeding towards you, or be interested in a room during a chase - but for the most part it was well done.
I also really feel invested in science fiction fantasy of necromancy. Not usually into edgy, cool gothy stuff but the bones are there (get it?) for a good magic system with lots of fun potential. Like a video game, each new part of necromancy we discovered as a reader felt like earning a new skill or weapon to move to the next level. Maybe a bit too much like a video game, but whatever.
Now for the less exciting:
I really think what people love here are probably the parts I don't - I don't love snark. Every character has the perfect comeback. Dialogue with constant quips and cleverness leaves no vulnerability and no room for me to join in and empathize, because everyone in this book is a cool smartass - even the narrative, and I'm just not.
The book also suffers a little dissonance between what we're told as readers, and how the characters act. At the beginning, we are told some important facts about Gideon: most importantly, she holds a long and deep seated deathly hatred towards Harrow. We're told Gideon is a rule breaker, has been planning her escape for a decade, can be selfish and definitely is snarky - not knowing when to keep her mouth shut.
When the main plot begins, this is mostly thrown away. "I hate Harrow!" She thinks as acts otherwise, obeys the rules, keeps her mouth shut and her head down, and acts rather selfless - dreams of escape forgotten. So which is it? I am having a hard time believing what you're telling me. At least this tends to get better with time.
I don't enjoy characters who hate each other on a deeply personal level. Enemies (of circumstance, like opposing factions) to lovers works for me because there is room to realize each other's flaws, fight the system, etc. Enemies (of character, of deep personal wronging) to lovers rarely works for me because the author never sells me the forgiveness. A lifetime of wrongs becoming right in a fortnight? Unforgivable acts being forgotten because the power of love? Nah. I can suspend my disbelief for the skeletons, but not the forgiveness. And because of this huge gap, I just don't feel the payoff on the ending. Doesn't feel earned.
A bit difficulty sprouts when the tension and seriousness don't match the humor or relief, and I was challenged by the pacing for sure. Contemporary dialogue and references aren't for me, but I think there's lots of room for it and it didn't detract at all.
So yeah, it's a decent read. I would recommend it to people who like smartass TV shows with mean characters, sci-fi fans (for the jargon), enemies-to-lovers fans, people who want to try something written in a contemporary voice, mystery fans / thriller fans.
The good stuff:
The things that work for me are often what don't work for others - I love being dropped off in sci-fi land with a ton of complex jargon. I don't mind being left out of the loop on how things work, part of the fun is when it clicks. I also think there were some really well built reader assumptions that lead to some decent surprises.
Normally I don't have a ton of patience for copious environmental description (looking at you, Tolkien) but Gideon the Ninth does it decently. I found myself carefully reading each new setting, each characters appearance, as it was gently described and enjoyed imagining it. Sometimes it was too much and challenged the pacing - it's hard to pay attention to detailed descriptions of bone monsters while they're speeding towards you, or be interested in a room during a chase - but for the most part it was well done.
I also really feel invested in science fiction fantasy of necromancy. Not usually into edgy, cool gothy stuff but the bones are there (get it?) for a good magic system with lots of fun potential. Like a video game, each new part of necromancy we discovered as a reader felt like earning a new skill or weapon to move to the next level. Maybe a bit too much like a video game, but whatever.
Now for the less exciting:
I really think what people love here are probably the parts I don't - I don't love snark. Every character has the perfect comeback. Dialogue with constant quips and cleverness leaves no vulnerability and no room for me to join in and empathize, because everyone in this book is a cool smartass - even the narrative, and I'm just not.
The book also suffers a little dissonance between what we're told as readers, and how the characters act. At the beginning, we are told some important facts about Gideon: most importantly, she holds a long and deep seated deathly hatred towards Harrow. We're told Gideon is a rule breaker, has been planning her escape for a decade, can be selfish and definitely is snarky - not knowing when to keep her mouth shut.
When the main plot begins, this is mostly thrown away. "I hate Harrow!" She thinks as acts otherwise, obeys the rules, keeps her mouth shut and her head down, and acts rather selfless - dreams of escape forgotten. So which is it? I am having a hard time believing what you're telling me. At least this tends to get better with time.
I don't enjoy characters who hate each other on a deeply personal level. Enemies (of circumstance, like opposing factions) to lovers works for me because there is room to realize each other's flaws, fight the system, etc. Enemies (of character, of deep personal wronging) to lovers rarely works for me because the author never sells me the forgiveness. A lifetime of wrongs becoming right in a fortnight? Unforgivable acts being forgotten because the power of love? Nah. I can suspend my disbelief for the skeletons, but not the forgiveness. And because of this huge gap, I just don't feel the payoff on the ending. Doesn't feel earned.
A bit difficulty sprouts when the tension and seriousness don't match the humor or relief, and I was challenged by the pacing for sure. Contemporary dialogue and references aren't for me, but I think there's lots of room for it and it didn't detract at all.
So yeah, it's a decent read. I would recommend it to people who like smartass TV shows with mean characters, sci-fi fans (for the jargon), enemies-to-lovers fans, people who want to try something written in a contemporary voice, mystery fans / thriller fans.
Gearbreakers by Zoe Hana Mikuta
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.75
I love giant mechs, queerness, found family, and political intrigue. So why didn't I love this book? A few reasons: the writing, characters, world building, and pace.
Firstly, I found I just couldn't suspend my disbelief. Other similar tales, (Hunger Games, The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet, or Hell Followed With Us), or even those targeting a younger Audience (Animorphs), do a better job convincing me of the world, the tech, or the people. Gearbreakers exposition lore doesn't match what is shown on page, does not stand up to any investigation of plot holes or questions. Gearbreakers just doesn't feel real.
Gearbreakers has the YA pieces. But all these ingredients together- the too-quippy teens, absent adults, and miraculous capers, and it just oozes eyerolling impossibility. Each secondary character is the same cardboard cutout with one quirk swapped out. The dialogue is constant witty snark. The bad characters are BAD. The good characters are GOOD. There is no development. Is it enemies to lovers when they aren't ever really enemies on-page? Is it slow burn if they are very clearly in love immediately and never waver?
Stories like these normally explore a push and pull of action and consequences, war and trauma. But there is no cause-and-effect on screen here; it is all previous trauma and no hesitation about violence or child soldiers. I am told the stakes are always at 1000%, which is exhausting. Kids with unbeatable magic gloves and no ups or downs. Those 1000% stakes aren't ever shown, just told.
What made this read harder is the writing and pace. The text is elaborate and demands attention, but the pace is breakneck. The mix is a difficult-to-follow blend of long emotional scenes mixed with short bursts the main plot, in a beautiful but challenging prose that isn't easy to follow. This, paired with POV swaps between two similar characters and floating dialogue that tends to have no owner, makes reading a chore.
I really really wanted to love this. I was looking forward to it and was so excited. And now I doubt I'll pick up the sequel, and instead opt to just find a synopsis.
Firstly, I found I just couldn't suspend my disbelief. Other similar tales, (Hunger Games, The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet, or Hell Followed With Us), or even those targeting a younger Audience (Animorphs), do a better job convincing me of the world, the tech, or the people. Gearbreakers exposition lore doesn't match what is shown on page, does not stand up to any investigation of plot holes or questions. Gearbreakers just doesn't feel real.
Gearbreakers has the YA pieces. But all these ingredients together- the too-quippy teens, absent adults, and miraculous capers, and it just oozes eyerolling impossibility. Each secondary character is the same cardboard cutout with one quirk swapped out. The dialogue is constant witty snark. The bad characters are BAD. The good characters are GOOD. There is no development. Is it enemies to lovers when they aren't ever really enemies on-page? Is it slow burn if they are very clearly in love immediately and never waver?
Stories like these normally explore a push and pull of action and consequences, war and trauma. But there is no cause-and-effect on screen here; it is all previous trauma and no hesitation about violence or child soldiers. I am told the stakes are always at 1000%, which is exhausting. Kids with unbeatable magic gloves and no ups or downs. Those 1000% stakes aren't ever shown, just told.
What made this read harder is the writing and pace. The text is elaborate and demands attention, but the pace is breakneck. The mix is a difficult-to-follow blend of long emotional scenes mixed with short bursts the main plot, in a beautiful but challenging prose that isn't easy to follow. This, paired with POV swaps between two similar characters and floating dialogue that tends to have no owner, makes reading a chore.
I really really wanted to love this. I was looking forward to it and was so excited. And now I doubt I'll pick up the sequel, and instead opt to just find a synopsis.
Hell Followed with Us by Andrew Joseph White
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.25
Really enjoyed both the story and how it was written. It wasn't too colloquial but still had an organic narrative rhythm and some excellent lines. But mainly the world built here is not at all unimaginable, and the themes of found family and queer joy are easy to embrace and not hammy. I think this truly does encompass many of the dissonances we queer folk encounter, from our bodies to how people see us, to struggles with religion and Heaven. Wild ride.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Deadnaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Dysphoria, War
If This Book Exists, You're in the Wrong Universe by Jason Pargin
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
The fourth installment of John Dies at the End leans more into the wild plot train and less on the characters personalities, and I would have really liked to have seen the wider cast hinted at during #3, as well as more of John, surprisingly - his difficulties in the previous book are ignored here but I was interested in that. I don't think this is quite as powerful as book 2 or 3- it definitely felt more like a throwback to book 1? Either way, I'm always gonna read these things.
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Cute. I'm not sure what I was expecting, since I don't usually pick up this type of read and was just looking for some different queer media. It's cutesy beach read, not much of an adventure or anything.
Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands by Kate Beaton
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.75
We Cape Bretoners have always had to live in two places for the sake of the almighty dollar, and this story just feels so validating. This deep yearning from home is portrayed lovingly and carefully by Beaton in lyrics and accents, alongside of a deeper fear of losing one's self to a place. Frightening and phenomenal - this is a must read for anyone who's had to leave home, but also for those of us who have empty seats at the table.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment
Minor: Addiction, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Chronic illness, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation
Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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
5.0
I honestly think duologies are the perfect set-up for me. It seems recently that my top reads are two-book series, and this is another great read. I was invested in the twists and turns of the heist(s) and capers, not to mention the interesting and dynamic character interactions and light socio-political world building. Of course, the plots and scheming take my suspension of disbelief to it's limits, but I can accept some slightly ridiculous leaps of faith for the great character interactions. Looking forward to more by this author!
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-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
4.75
This was great. I picked it up on a whim, and was thoroughly engrossed in the city of Ketterdam, the cast of characters with their backstories and motivations, and the twists and turns. I'm generally not a fan of the stereotypical "asshole genius" character build, but each of the individual crew has their time to shine. I also appreciate that they have one-on-one time with each other in odd pairs too, making for some great conversation. Very fun, and now will need to investigate the rest of the author's works.