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zoekatereads's reviews
420 reviews
Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
My Adrian Tchaikovsky journey continues! Stepping away from series for a couple of standalones (at least they are for now, he says himself he always finds a way to make a standalone into a series!)
Professor Daghdev, ecologist and condemned political prisoner, awakes from cold sleep to find himself on a penal outpost on a planet brimming with life. It's a one-way trip, but the secrets uncovered in this chaotic ecosystem will change everything.
Politics, planetary exploration, science, uprising, speculative aspects
This was probably my second favourite planetary concept I've seen from Tchaikovsky so far (Shroud holds top prize for me), it really drew me in and made for an exciting plot.
The science was really interesting, and balanced with the plot really well.
The first person narrator took a little getting used to, but I think it really worked given Daghdev's motives and interests in the planet.
The audiobook was excellent - really liked the narrator!
Professor Daghdev, ecologist and condemned political prisoner, awakes from cold sleep to find himself on a penal outpost on a planet brimming with life. It's a one-way trip, but the secrets uncovered in this chaotic ecosystem will change everything.
Politics, planetary exploration, science, uprising, speculative aspects
This was probably my second favourite planetary concept I've seen from Tchaikovsky so far (Shroud holds top prize for me), it really drew me in and made for an exciting plot.
The science was really interesting, and balanced with the plot really well.
The first person narrator took a little getting used to, but I think it really worked given Daghdev's motives and interests in the planet.
The audiobook was excellent - really liked the narrator!
In the Shadow of Their Dying by Michael R. Fletcher, Anna Smith Spark
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book really puts the ‘grim’ in grimdark fantasy 😅 Such a gruesome, gory, gritty read (insert more adjectives) that was truly immersive.
In the Shadow of Their Dying follows the third best assassin in a city under siege, a mercenary crew, and a demon bound in a woman’s body sworn to defend the king.
For under 150 pages, this book really does pack a punch. The character work was excellent, they were truly awful (in the best way) - complex, self-interested, and morbidly witty. The setting was immersive, you really got the sense that the surroundings were full of unimaginable horrors.
Definitely recommend if you’re looking for something short and not-so-sweet!
In the Shadow of Their Dying follows the third best assassin in a city under siege, a mercenary crew, and a demon bound in a woman’s body sworn to defend the king.
For under 150 pages, this book really does pack a punch. The character work was excellent, they were truly awful (in the best way) - complex, self-interested, and morbidly witty. The setting was immersive, you really got the sense that the surroundings were full of unimaginable horrors.
Definitely recommend if you’re looking for something short and not-so-sweet!
Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix
Did not finish book. Stopped at 40%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 40%.
the descriptions of black characters - there was a dozen other ways the author could have described them and they chose outdated language and harmful stereotypes
Our Dining Table by Mita Ori
emotional
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
I’ve really fallen in love with manga over the last couple of years! There’s so much variety in the genres, I’m always able to find something I’m in the mood for!
Our Dining Table was SO wholesome. This is the sweetest story showing how sharing a meal can bring people together. While this was such a cosy time, the characters also each had their own struggles that were explored really nicely. Protect these boys at all costs pls x
Definitely need to prioritise some more manga this year!
Our Dining Table was SO wholesome. This is the sweetest story showing how sharing a meal can bring people together. While this was such a cosy time, the characters also each had their own struggles that were explored really nicely. Protect these boys at all costs pls x
Definitely need to prioritise some more manga this year!
The Road of Bones by Demi Winters
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
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? N/A
4.5
Thank you so much gollancz for sending me a finished copy to review 🫶 (TL;DR: I loved it)
The Road of Bones is a multi-POV epic romantasy following Silla, a young woman running for her life. The ruthless Queen has charged warriors with delivering Silla to Sunnavík, where he death awaits her.
Finding herself alone on the run, Silla must traverse The Road of Bones - a thousand mile stretch with danger at every corner.
Sneaking into a wagon seems like her only chance at making it safely to Kopa, but now she must convince the notorious Blood Axe Crew she doesn’t pose a threat and ask for their help.
Slow-building enemies-to-lovers romance, brooding warriors, and a jaw-dropping Norse-inspired world of island volcanoes and obsidian-black sands.
A woman on the run. A crew of Viking mercenaries. A forbidden romance. And the secret which threatens them all...
If you’ve seen my stories the last few days, you’ll know I DEVOURED this book. The plot gripped me from the start, the character work is great, the romance was doing it for me, the world/lore/magic was beautifully written and wove in with the plot seamlessly.
Silla was a great fmc! I really appreciate the author’s inclusion of a softer main character - I can dream that I’d be a badass warrior and completely fearless in a fantasy world, but realistically I’m probably more like Silla 😂 She’s determined and keeps going no matter what’s in front of her, but is also increasingly away of her mortality which was incredibly relatable 😅
The banter amongst the crew was so much fun. The POVs were distinct and gave such great insight. I’m BEYOND excited for the POVs we might get in the next book.
The romance has me YELLING and that’s about all I have to say 😂
If you’re looking for your next Viking romantasy read, I’d absolutely recommend The Road of Bones. The sequel comes out next month and I’m essentially counting down the hours 😅
Full review on Goodreads!! 📚
Thank you again gollancz for the finished copy 🖤 (and for ruining my life until I get my hands on Kingdom of Claw 🥲😅)
Sistah Samurai: A Champloo Novella by Tatiana Obey
Sistah Samurai is an anime-inspired, action/fantasy novella. This was a super entertaining read that still packed a punch with the fantasy world, action sequences and emotional impact. Demons, warlords, interesting magic system and some really fun writing. Absolutely recommend this if you’re looking for something short and a little bit different!
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“Men hope while women carry the world” 🌸
Sistah Samurai is an anime-inspired, action/fantasy novella. This was a super entertaining read that still packed a punch with the fantasy world, action sequences and emotional impact. Demons, warlords, interesting magic system and some really fun writing. Absolutely recommend this if you’re looking for something short and a little bit different!
Children of Memory by Adrian Tchaikovsky
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Such an intriguing story!! A nice change of page from the first two books which follow a similar format. This book covered some really interesting premises, great characters (as always with this series) and genuinely quite fascinating philosophical exploration.
Like Children of Ruin, I got a little lost in the middle (and again at the end honestly) and I was left wanting more at the end. All that to say, a great book and a great series. Can’t wait to read more of Tchaikovsky!
Like Children of Ruin, I got a little lost in the middle (and again at the end honestly) and I was left wanting more at the end. All that to say, a great book and a great series. Can’t wait to read more of Tchaikovsky!
The Favourites by Layne Fargo
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you PRH/Vintage books for the arc!
Messy, complex, dramatic, intense, spellbinding. A really interesting format that made this read impossible to put down. This was addictive - the characters, the plot, the drama, the SCANDALS.
The Favourites has reminded me why I love reading. It was beyond what I expected the story to be. The format of the documentary style with the real-time experience made it so addicting. This book was a reminder to read outside your comfort zone sometimes.
Messy, complex, dramatic, intense, spellbinding. A really interesting format that made this read impossible to put down. This was addictive - the characters, the plot, the drama, the SCANDALS.
The Favourites has reminded me why I love reading. It was beyond what I expected the story to be. The format of the documentary style with the real-time experience made it so addicting. This book was a reminder to read outside your comfort zone sometimes.
Children of Ruin by Adrian Tchaikovsky
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Great follow up to Children of Time. Similar in some ways, especially how the plot developed, but where were some really interesting plot developments that made this stand out.
For me I got a little lost in the middle, muddling the timelines a little and the lack of a dialogue for a while was a bit of a struggle. But it all came together for another satisfying ending. Can’t wait to read the next one.
Really enjoyed the audio - would definitely recommend it!
For me I got a little lost in the middle, muddling the timelines a little and the lack of a dialogue for a while was a bit of a struggle. But it all came together for another satisfying ending. Can’t wait to read the next one.
Really enjoyed the audio - would definitely recommend it!