4.0 Stars This was an entertaining, fast paced sci fi thriller that will likely appeal to readers of both genres. This one would be very accessible to 4.0 Stars This was an entertaining, fast paced sci fi thriller that will likely appeal to readers of both genres. This one would be very accessible to sci fi newbies because it doesn't dive into the science elements. Instead it explores situations that feel like they could become possible in the near future. I found the ethical dilemmas to be particularly interesting.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
4.0 Stars As someone with a fascination for climate change, I loved this one. Set in the near future, the author draws a very possible world of the com4.0 Stars As someone with a fascination for climate change, I loved this one. Set in the near future, the author draws a very possible world of the coming calamities. The premise is honest but not so grim to be unreadable. Instead this explores the future we are heading towards as our children inherit the world we have forsaken. The actual plot of this story was good, but the worldbuilding is what really drew me into this sparse, smart novel....more
3.5 Stars As someone who loved sci fi horror, this was a really fun read. The action really felt like reading a movie script. It was a fun page turner.3.5 Stars As someone who loved sci fi horror, this was a really fun read. The action really felt like reading a movie script. It was a fun page turner. The character work and dialogue however left a lot to be desired. These aspects also reminded me of watching a movie but not necessarily a good one. It was a fun ride, but I was hoping it would be a little more horrifying. Maybe I'm a bit desentized but I wanted this one to be a bit scarier....more
3.5 Stars After loving the first book, I jumped into the sequel as soon as I got my hands on the ebook. The first book had its issues but my fascinatio3.5 Stars After loving the first book, I jumped into the sequel as soon as I got my hands on the ebook. The first book had its issues but my fascination with this dark future world. This second book was disappointing. This book focuses on character relationships that aren't the most interesting aspects of the story....more
This is one of those cases that it's probably more me, than the book. These kinds of close perspective soldier narratives rarely work for me. I just don't enjoy reading these stories and so I struggled with this one. I definitely saw where Card likely pulled some inspiration for Ender's Game. I still want to read more by this author and hope those books are more to my tastes....more
This is the third book in a sci fi thriller series. As someone who enjoys mysteries I was most intrigued by those aspects of the plots.
This author's strength is in his ability to write epic worlds. So I always feel that his talent is lost on this intimate mystery series. Instead the series focuses more on the characters who are not as fleshed out and well rounded as I would like. The story itself is good, but leans into a lot of familiar plot twists and common tropes.
I would primarily recommend this story to readers who love the sci fi mystery subgenre.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
After loving the end of the first book, I was surprised at myself struggling so much with this follow up novel. My main issue is with the narrative style and choices. The actual story should be quite interesting but it was told in a way that worked against itself. I wanted to be engrossed in the story but I just wasn't....more
3.5 Stars This was an easy, enjoyable science fiction sequel. Once again, I liked the interaction between our main characters.
The science elements are3.5 Stars This was an easy, enjoyable science fiction sequel. Once again, I liked the interaction between our main characters.
The science elements are quite light making this series an accessible place to start for Sci fi newbies. As for the mystery, I liked it, but it wasn't the most complex or engrossing story. I liked this one but I don't find it as memorable as other series with higher stakes. Yet this series is not trying to compete with those stories.
Instead I would recommend this one for someone looking for a simple yet enjoyable experience.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
This was a solid conclusion to this epic trilogy. I have some quibbles about the specific narrative structure of the ending but overall I enjoyed it. The Dark Forest continues to be my personal favourite but I still really enjoyed this one....more
This was a super interesting premise. As a dystopian stemming from a real social policy, this one felt disturbingly plausible. In terms of story, this was a very dark and depressing read. I realized that is the point of a dystopian but it was a rough read. The main character is so unlikeable and the whole future is riddled with prejudice and hateful thinking. I realized the opinions of characters do not necessarily reflect that of the author but it was a pessimistic tone I just wasn't prepared to read....more
This one started out strong with a quirky beginning. It was just weird, but in a good way. However as the story continued I fell more out of love with this novel. I think it was just too much for this long unwieldy book. Perhaps this narrative would have worked better in the short format. I'm not sure this book accomplished what it set out to do.
I adore the author's other books that start with The Traitor Baru Cormorant. However I personally wouldn't compare the two worlds. The works are incredibly different and I don't think they will necessarily appeal to the same type of readers. I don't think I would have known they were written by the same author if I hadn't seen the name.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
I loved this military science fiction novel. It's not always a genre that works well for me, but this story immediately pulled me in.
When I initially requested this one, I wasn't entirely sure how it connected to the authors’ previous work. It turns out this is more of a chronological series than a companion one.
Despite jumping into this one blind, I found myself absolutely engrossed. There was a horror element to this story that surprised and deleted me. The military elements were also incredibly interesting. After finishing this one, I wanted to go back to the beginning and experience the full story.
I would definitely recommend this science fiction story to those that love high stakes and gripping narratives.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
I enjoy a good sci fi murder mystery so the premise of this one was certainly up my alley.
I was pleased to find a lot of maturity and complexity in the topics explored. The story does not shy away from the darkness of the world. These aspects brought in a darker tone that really appealed to my personal reading tastes. I also appreciated the tidbits of hard science and technology woven into the story.
Overall I found it to be a good read and would recommend to readers looking for a lesser known sci fi thriller.
Disclaimer I received a copy for review as a judge for the SFSPC....more
2.5 Stars This is very much a case where I liked the idea of the story more than the execution. I love the person lost without their memory trope. I al2.5 Stars This is very much a case where I liked the idea of the story more than the execution. I love the person lost without their memory trope. I always pick up books and movies with this setup. I should have been easy to please.
Unfortunately this one just failed to deliver the sense of suspense and mystery I was expecting. Instead I found myself struggling to connect and care. This was disappointing because I really wanted to love it.
Disclaimer I received a copy for review as a judge for the SFSPC....more
I read this book based on a friend's recommendation. I knew nothing about it going in and honestly still felt in the dark during my reading experience. I really enjoyed the science fiction worldbuilding which had a fantastical and creative quality.
If you decide to start this story, you must finish it. As my friend promised, this story had a fantastic ending. It really reframed the whole story and uplifted my whole experience.
I would recommend this one to readers looking for a lesser known, short piece of science fiction....more
4.0 Stars It took a while to get into this one but I really ended up enjoying it by the end. These stories are a good balance between entertainment and4.0 Stars It took a while to get into this one but I really ended up enjoying it by the end. These stories are a good balance between entertainment and serious consequences. I look forward to continuing on with this series....more
4.0 Stars This was such an enjoyable sequel that managed to be even better than the first. I loved reading the politics of the rebellion. This is an en4.0 Stars This was such an enjoyable sequel that managed to be even better than the first. I loved reading the politics of the rebellion. This is an entertaining series but I'm pleased to find more depth and complexity than I first expected....more
4.0 Stars I have previously read and loved this author's work, so at this point, I will happily read anything else they publish. I will admit that in 24.0 Stars I have previously read and loved this author's work, so at this point, I will happily read anything else they publish. I will admit that in 2023, I am not particularly eager to read more post-apocalyptic fiction. 2020 is still too fresh in my memory. However, for this author, I made an exception, and I'm glad I did.
There's a lot going on in this plot, and I think this story could have benefited from having fewer layers. I think this could have been a five-star read for me if the story had been more streamlined.
That being said, this story mostly worked. I feel the key element was the characters or, specifically, the emotional weight of their experience. For anyone with birth or pregnancy trauma, this book is going to hit hard. There were several gut punch moments in this book, and I really felt it.
I would recommend this book to readers looking for a powerful emotional story. Even if you don't normally read science fiction or post-apocalyptic stories, I would recommend giving this one a try. Hopefully, you end up loving it as much as I did.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author....more
If you have made it this far into the Murderbot series, then you probably know what you are getting yourself into. This book gives you what you would expect.
This one did not have the most interesting plot but, as always, I just enjoyed spending time with the character of Murderbot. Their internal musings were the right balance of amusing as itself. At this point in the series, I wish there was more advancement in the plot. However this series is meant to be more episodic. It's a limitation of the series, but also its strength.
I would recommend this one to fans of Murderbot. If you've never read the series, I would recommend starting back with All Systems Red.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
This was such a cute science fiction novel. The idea of the floating hotel was a wonderful idea. While written as a novel, this read more like interwoven short stories exploring vignettes. I liked this one, but I did not find the narratives to be particularly gripping or memorable.
I would recommend this one to readers looking for a cozy, slice of life space opera in the vein of the Wayfarer series by Becky Chambers.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
Rachel (TheShadesofOrange)
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