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wwrlad's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
2.5
heabooknerd's review
3.0
I was really happy that SIGNAL BOOST finally gave some answers about what caused the blackout since that was left as a big unanswered question in the previous book. I was also excited to see that the story would be venturing away from the house because I was hoping that this would lead to some more action and a more interesting story line. However, I still found myself bored while reading this book and I had to work a bit to finish it. I've been racking my brain for days trying to figure out why I had such a hard time connecting with the story, but I just can't put my finger on it. Since I found nothing wrong with Alyssa Cole's writing I can only say that this book just wasn't really for me.
I really liked John in the first book, so I was excited to read this one and I'm glad he still had his sarcastic sense of humor, but I was surprised how whiny he was in the beginning part. Since I was already struggling to connect to the book, this started to wear on my nerves probably more than it would for anyone else. But even with the rough beginning, it's clear just how compassionate and understanding John is and the way he tries to help and support Mykhail is incredibly admirable. I also liked that even though there were a few misunderstandings, for the most part these two really communicate and work out their problems quickly by talking through what they're thinking and feeling.
Mykhail was an interesting character but without his POV he's left a big mystery for the first half of the book. One of the hardest things about this book was just that it was incredibly heavy for me as a reader. Mykhail's experience after The Flare was heartbreaking and I completely understand his depression and struggle to keep going. Had this been the only issue in the second half of the book, it wouldn't have been too bad. But on top of that, there's a situation that's occurring at the university; I won't go into detail, because spoiler, but I found this portion of the book very hard to get through as a reader because it was a really negative and depressing look at humanity and how we treat others. I guess you could say that speaks for how strong Alyssa Cole's writing is, but in terms of enjoyment, I just wasn't there.
Content Warning: Mykhail has depression and occasional suicidal thoughts; references to assisted suicide, rape and sodomy
I really liked John in the first book, so I was excited to read this one and I'm glad he still had his sarcastic sense of humor, but I was surprised how whiny he was in the beginning part. Since I was already struggling to connect to the book, this started to wear on my nerves probably more than it would for anyone else. But even with the rough beginning, it's clear just how compassionate and understanding John is and the way he tries to help and support Mykhail is incredibly admirable. I also liked that even though there were a few misunderstandings, for the most part these two really communicate and work out their problems quickly by talking through what they're thinking and feeling.
Mykhail was an interesting character but without his POV he's left a big mystery for the first half of the book. One of the hardest things about this book was just that it was incredibly heavy for me as a reader. Mykhail's experience after The Flare was heartbreaking and I completely understand his depression and struggle to keep going. Had this been the only issue in the second half of the book, it wouldn't have been too bad. But on top of that, there's a situation that's occurring at the university; I won't go into detail, because spoiler, but I found this portion of the book very hard to get through as a reader because it was a really negative and depressing look at humanity and how we treat others. I guess you could say that speaks for how strong Alyssa Cole's writing is, but in terms of enjoyment, I just wasn't there.
Content Warning: Mykhail has depression and occasional suicidal thoughts; references to assisted suicide, rape and sodomy
lezreadalot's review against another edition
4.0
CUTE AS HELL. And dealt respectfully (imo) with some issues that are close to my heart, suicide ideation being one of them.
solaana's review against another edition
3.0
Characters are relatively delightful but the storyline had me too stressed
aqtbenz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
daniellesalwaysreading's review against another edition
3.0
This is the only book that I read of the series because I don't like f/m romance. But I do really like m/m romantic sci-fi. So I can't talk about how this book fits into the larger arc of the story.
This story was well written and engaging. I liked the characters and the story line. The sci-fi post-apocalyptic elements were interesting and the romantic elements were romantic (although not super steamy).
The only thing that I didn't like is that the story contains non-graphic descriptions of rape and just a few pages later has a romantic scene between the two main characters (who were not involved in the rape). It was too quick for me to be able to change gears from horrified to "this is a romance and it is fine".
Overall, I would like to read another m/m romance by Cole.
This story was well written and engaging. I liked the characters and the story line. The sci-fi post-apocalyptic elements were interesting and the romantic elements were romantic (although not super steamy).
The only thing that I didn't like is that the story contains non-graphic descriptions of rape and just a few pages later has a romantic scene between the two main characters (who were not involved in the rape). It was too quick for me to be able to change gears from horrified to "this is a romance and it is fine".
Overall, I would like to read another m/m romance by Cole.
purelynicole's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
cleverbaggins's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
velocireader's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
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
4.0
Signal Boost is the second book in the Off The Grid series set in a semi post apocalyptic America after the electrical grid goes down. This one follows John, who is growing restless hiding out with his family in their secluded home. He meets Mykhail, a scientist looking to travel to his university to help restore the electrical grid. John is very attracted to Mykhail and jumps at the opportunity to travel with him.
This book had so much more exploration of the post apocalyptic world than the first book which I loved. I also really liked both the main characters and their romance. There’s one more book in this series and I’m still intrigued by the world enough to read it.