2.5 Stars I thought I would absolutely love this one because I typically adore anime style narratives. Unfortunately I was disappointed. The main chara2.5 Stars I thought I would absolutely love this one because I typically adore anime style narratives. Unfortunately I was disappointed. The main character was just so annoying that it made it hard to enjoy a story centered around this particular protagonist. I typically don't need likeable characters but I just did not want to read about this guy. Wow.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this audiobook via LibroFM....more
3.5 Stars This is incredibly hard to rate. The artwork is absolute perfection. The written vignettes are a little dry, with some more interesting than 3.5 Stars This is incredibly hard to rate. The artwork is absolute perfection. The written vignettes are a little dry, with some more interesting than others. This is still worth looking at if only for the pictures....more
I adore the author's other novel, The Swarm, so I was dying to read more of their work. I didn't love this one nearly as much but this was still a fascinating thriller. Once again this author gives me vague feelings similar to Neal Stephenson, one of my favourite authors. There were some really interesting ideas explored throughout the novel. In places, the narrative felt a bit unwieldy which held me back from absolutely loving it. Still I overall had a good time with this book and would definitely read more by this author....more
3.5 stars I enjoy these kinds of "traveler out of time" science fiction stories. Given the time period our traveler is from, it is not surprising that 3.5 stars I enjoy these kinds of "traveler out of time" science fiction stories. Given the time period our traveler is from, it is not surprising that he's an annoyingly patriarchal man with "old timey" values. Yet despite not being the most likeable guy, I enjoyed watching him adjust to life in the future....more
3.5 Stars This is a fun and lighthearted space opera. I was immediately pulled into the story with accessible writing and likeable characters. I would 3.5 Stars This is a fun and lighthearted space opera. I was immediately pulled into the story with accessible writing and likeable characters. I would recommend this science fiction novel to readers looking for an easy, enjoyable space romp.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
3.5 stars This is a really unique piece of literary speculative fiction that I will likely need to reread several times in order to fully appreciate it3.5 stars This is a really unique piece of literary speculative fiction that I will likely need to reread several times in order to fully appreciate it. This is not the usual kind of science fiction I normally pick up. I interpreted the time travel element as more symbolic than literary. I really appreciated the social commentary surrounding war and economic class. There is a lot to impact within this book. The plot was a bit slow and meandering for my usual tastes but I overall liked it. So it goes....more
As someone who loves “cli fi”, this was a novel I really wanted to read. I enjoyed the premise of this one and particularly relished in the sections that explored ways to counteract the potential future we face. This book starts out rather grim but holds enough hope and optimism to make it an enjoyable read. I still prefer New York 2140, but I would still recommend this one....more
3.5 stars This is a fun sci fi thriller that mixes together multimedia elements. As a book commissioned by a music group, I didn't expect this to be a 3.5 stars This is a fun sci fi thriller that mixes together multimedia elements. As a book commissioned by a music group, I didn't expect this to be a literary masterpiece and well it wasn't. However it was a really fun pageturner to read in the middle of the reading slump. This book was a gift and I really appreciated the chance to check out such an underhyped science fiction novel....more
4.0 stars It's always a delight to find a modern author with a clear love of the science fiction genre. So often I see new sci fi releases using the ae4.0 stars It's always a delight to find a modern author with a clear love of the science fiction genre. So often I see new sci fi releases using the aesthetics of science fiction without scratching the surface of the intellectual roots of the genre. This is the kind of modern science fiction that will appeal to readers who normally prefer the classics.
Needless to say, I was very impressed by this novel. The narrative was tight, sharp and smart. I appreciate shorter novels because they tend to avoid the bloat that I normally find in longer books.
I love science fiction exploring artificial intelligence so the themes in this one were right up my alley. I could clearly see the author making nods to Issac Asimov's classic works. Furthermore, the narrative structure and time period added another layer of interesting complexity to the story.
I inhaled this story in a day because it was a welcome relief from the mediocre SFF I've been reading recently. I look forward this reading one again and hopefully finding in more layers to the story upon reread.
I would highly recommend this hidden gem to any reader looking for an underhyped science fiction.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the author....more
4.0 stars I loved the time traveling framing surrounding this novel. The story itself read more like a fantasy story than a traditional science fiction4.0 stars I loved the time traveling framing surrounding this novel. The story itself read more like a fantasy story than a traditional science fiction narrative. The story was cute, but I wished the science fiction elements has played a larger part of the story....more
2.5 Stars The premise of this one was fantastic, if not a bit heavy. However the actual story was disappointing as it focused too much on character dra2.5 Stars The premise of this one was fantastic, if not a bit heavy. However the actual story was disappointing as it focused too much on character drama than the actual potential doom of humanity. The execution was a big miss which is a shame....more
3.5 Stars This is a charming and unique sci fi mystery novella. The characters were my favourite aspect of this story because they were dynamic and wel3.5 Stars This is a charming and unique sci fi mystery novella. The characters were my favourite aspect of this story because they were dynamic and well developed. I wish the mystery itself had more compelling but I enjoyed spending time in this world with these characters. I hope there will be more novellas set in this future.
I would primarily recommend this to readers interested in a futuristic mysteries. I believe this one would be accessible for readers who don't normally read science fiction.
Disclaimer I received copy of this book from the publisher.
3.0 stars This was a fun sci fi thriller. I enjoyed the idea of creepy fungal infections, but I didn't find the story very deep or memorable. A fun ide3.0 stars This was a fun sci fi thriller. I enjoyed the idea of creepy fungal infections, but I didn't find the story very deep or memorable. A fun idea but a forgettable read....more
3.5 stars This was an enjoyable entry in this science fiction series. I didn't love it as much as the first two books but I definitely want to keep goi3.5 stars This was an enjoyable entry in this science fiction series. I didn't love it as much as the first two books but I definitely want to keep going....more
3.5 stars This is a good follow up novel, but I didn't find the specifics of the plot as interesting as the first book in the trilogy.3.5 stars This is a good follow up novel, but I didn't find the specifics of the plot as interesting as the first book in the trilogy....more
3.5 stars This is a coming of age science fiction novel that I likely would have never read if it hadn't been released as part of the Tor Essentials li3.5 stars This is a coming of age science fiction novel that I likely would have never read if it hadn't been released as part of the Tor Essentials line.
This is a very character driven novel with a slow, yet engaging plot. I liked the character of Matt who was a likable young man. The setting of the Moon was equally compelling. The plot is not thrilling or fast paced, which might throw off readers who are used to the page turning narrative styles of modern publishing.
I would recommend this one to anyone looking for an underhyped science fiction novel that could otherwise get lost in the history of SF literature.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
3.5 stars This was a really engaging sci fi thriller that pulled me right in (despite a slump sick mood). It takes a special book to grab my attention 3.5 stars This was a really engaging sci fi thriller that pulled me right in (despite a slump sick mood). It takes a special book to grab my attention in this brain fog.
I got the opportunity to listen to the audiobook which I highly recommend. I've heard this particular narrator before and he does an amazing job of making our protagonist immediately relatable. The story itself was fast paced and compelling with a good balance of action and subtle humor.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
3.5 stars Despite a tropey premise, this was a pleasantly fresh science fiction story. I often suffer from reader fatigue after reading so many similar3.5 stars Despite a tropey premise, this was a pleasantly fresh science fiction story. I often suffer from reader fatigue after reading so many similar stories so I always get excited when something feels unique or special.
I liked this one and found it to be a solid story, even though it didn't quite reach the level of a new favourite. I especially liked the sections in the past which helped to flesh out the characters' history.
I would recommend this one to anyone looking for a new story that holds its own within the sci fi genre.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
4.0 Stars This was a lovely piece of science fiction, set in the world of Central Station. I haven't read that novel yet, but I definitely want to now.4.0 Stars This was a lovely piece of science fiction, set in the world of Central Station. I haven't read that novel yet, but I definitely want to now.
In terms of pacing, this one is very slow. In fact, the plot really takes a backseat to the worldbuilding. This is where the book shines. I loved spending time in this world. Through this short novel, the author explores so many themes from economic class to personhood.
I would recommend this one to readers who enjoy intellectual science fiction that explores ideas in a quiet, yet fascinating way.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more