Reviews

I did like most of this book of space travelling anthropologists and their impact on a more "primitive" society that has forgotten about scientific advances. I enjoyed the role of language - how even though they might be descendents of the same humans, the last Elder and the current humans have different words and different ways of expressing themselves. I enjoyed the idea of orality, how stories change with time and become a life of their own. I enjoyed the scientific aspects that come with a people able to travel the stars and keep people alive for generations. And I enjoyed the idea of anthropologists in space.

Nyr was a realistic character. Depressed from centuries alone but with scientific help to dampen his emotions. Lyn was maybe misguided and naive, but from a place of wanting to help her people.

The demon to slay and the ending was slightly disappointing. There is very little explanation and I wish there was just a bit more about that. But other than that I thought it was a relatively short read about some interesting sci-fi concepts.

hugyourface's review

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adventurous emotional informative lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Agree with most of the other reviews here, tbh. Nice.

chippyfiend's review

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adventurous emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

lauracooleyjohnson's review

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3.0

I do not precisely recall how this particular novella made it onto my TBR pile. It is a mash up of science fiction (satellites and robots and future tech like regeneration) and fantasy (heroes and princesses with swords, and of course a magician). The clever thing here is that the magician isn’t really magical, but simply an anthropologist from a super high tech civilization sent to observe but not interfere with our quaint princess and her cute fairy tales. I’m betting this title got recommended because I liked the Murderbot diaries. The anthropologist “magician” protagonist Nyr has a lot in common with the quirky AI Murderbot. But I give it 3 stars. Maybe 3.5. The story has a lot of potential and the character arc for Nyr is solid and rewarding. But somehow there were holes in the telling; things aren’t entirely explored or explained and as a result I’m not feeling especially fulfilled from the read.

fantaseareader's review

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adventurous hopeful reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

sizezero's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

cannibalsnack's review

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adventurous mysterious reflective relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

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