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leflambeur's review
3.0
Said I'd never read another Reynolds book after Blue Remembered Earth which just had no characters I could identify with.
But picked this up and, unlike previous Reynolds books, this one has tons of character development, and much less hard Sci fi. And I liked it.
It did seem to wrap up quickly. Not sure I'd read a sequel, but I have changed my mind on never reading another Reynolds.
But picked this up and, unlike previous Reynolds books, this one has tons of character development, and much less hard Sci fi. And I liked it.
It did seem to wrap up quickly. Not sure I'd read a sequel, but I have changed my mind on never reading another Reynolds.
ngallion's review
5.0
Such a weird read. This book feels like a fantasy book about pirates except that it’s a sci-fi book about crews on spaceships. The heavy borrowing of tropes and the general feel from a different genre was very jarring for me for about the first 100 pages, but this book ultimately won me over because the central story along with its various mysteries is compelling.
This is probably the weakest of the five star reads I’ve read this year for the reasons I’ve stated above (I really can’t communicate just how jarring it was to pick this book up at first because of how it feels like it belongs in a completely different type of book than what it seems you’re reading). Despite that, it really was a good time and I’m curious enough about where Reynolds takes things that I might just pick up the next book in the series.
This is probably the weakest of the five star reads I’ve read this year for the reasons I’ve stated above (I really can’t communicate just how jarring it was to pick this book up at first because of how it feels like it belongs in a completely different type of book than what it seems you’re reading). Despite that, it really was a good time and I’m curious enough about where Reynolds takes things that I might just pick up the next book in the series.
meyers5j's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
marileen's review
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
zaina90's review
3.0
I did not expect this to be a YA novel, I made the mistake of not reading the reviews before buying the book.
I was disappointed with the book during the first half, I thought it was boring, the characters were annoying, and the conversations were awkward. The book improved gradually during the second half, but the main character still annoyed me, she didn’t seem consistant, it was like I was reading about 2 completely different characters in one. It didn’t make sense to me.
As I mentioned, the book did get better, and I think I’ll be reading book 2 sometime in the future, but not now.
I was disappointed with the book during the first half, I thought it was boring, the characters were annoying, and the conversations were awkward. The book improved gradually during the second half, but the main character still annoyed me, she didn’t seem consistant, it was like I was reading about 2 completely different characters in one. It didn’t make sense to me.
As I mentioned, the book did get better, and I think I’ll be reading book 2 sometime in the future, but not now.
thebooklender's review against another edition
3.0
A fun sci-fi fantasy space pirate adventure story... in space!
matt357's review against another edition
5.0
This is a great little action Sci-fi revenge story from Reynolds which is all the more impressive for it being outside his usual comfort zone.
Written in 4 sections, by the end of thhe first one you've got all of the set-up you'll need. You've had enough of the world described to you to keep up, you've had your main players established, and the act to be revenged has happened. I'll say no more of the story past that. Past this point the action will drag you along with it for most of the book, whether thats an actual action scene, or just anticipationg for the one that's clearly just ahead.
The characters here also come across as believable and fleshed out, although characters have always been one of Reynolds strong points. For a lot of them there's the real feeling of them having had a life that your only told snippets of.
The setting and in story time of this world do show Reynolds background. As a hard Sci-fi author the whole thing is set in 1 solar system, and still the travel time between points is weeks. This is a plus though, it means not only is the method of travel understandable, it add real tension to the choices. When you've got to be somewhere as soon as possible, 2 weeks seems like forever.
Although this is the start of a series, it still ends on a satisfying conclusion, so don't let worry about committing to a new series put you off this book
Written in 4 sections, by the end of thhe first one you've got all of the set-up you'll need. You've had enough of the world described to you to keep up, you've had your main players established, and the act to be revenged has happened. I'll say no more of the story past that. Past this point the action will drag you along with it for most of the book, whether thats an actual action scene, or just anticipationg for the one that's clearly just ahead.
The characters here also come across as believable and fleshed out, although characters have always been one of Reynolds strong points. For a lot of them there's the real feeling of them having had a life that your only told snippets of.
The setting and in story time of this world do show Reynolds background. As a hard Sci-fi author the whole thing is set in 1 solar system, and still the travel time between points is weeks. This is a plus though, it means not only is the method of travel understandable, it add real tension to the choices. When you've got to be somewhere as soon as possible, 2 weeks seems like forever.
Although this is the start of a series, it still ends on a satisfying conclusion, so don't let worry about committing to a new series put you off this book
microbiologist's review
4.0
‘Peoples think I’s a harmless idiot,’ he said. ‘They’s only half right.’.
NEW ALASTAIR REYNOLDS!
If you're as big of a fan of Alastair Reyonolds' Revelation Space books, then there will be something here for you to like. As I am sure you know he is very good at galaxy building. Unlike the Revelation Space universe the characters in this book are not nearly as technically savvy. Think of this book (or series of books if he continues on with this story), more like a Firefly meets Revelation Space, as everyone and everything has more of a western/piracy feel too it, in the way people talk and the ratty, worn equipment they use.
Not quite as good as the Revelation Space books as far as i'm concerned, although those would be pretty difficult to top anyhow. But it was quite entertaining and I honestly couldn't put it down. And for those who have slated this as Alastair's PG-13 book, they obviously didn't read very far into it, because although the main character is a teen, there is plenty of ultra-space-violence to go around.
NEW ALASTAIR REYNOLDS!
If you're as big of a fan of Alastair Reyonolds' Revelation Space books, then there will be something here for you to like. As I am sure you know he is very good at galaxy building. Unlike the Revelation Space universe the characters in this book are not nearly as technically savvy. Think of this book (or series of books if he continues on with this story), more like a Firefly meets Revelation Space, as everyone and everything has more of a western/piracy feel too it, in the way people talk and the ratty, worn equipment they use.
Not quite as good as the Revelation Space books as far as i'm concerned, although those would be pretty difficult to top anyhow. But it was quite entertaining and I honestly couldn't put it down. And for those who have slated this as Alastair's PG-13 book, they obviously didn't read very far into it, because although the main character is a teen, there is plenty of ultra-space-violence to go around.
karinlib's review
4.0
I really enjoyed the Revelation Space Series by Reynolds, and determined that I will read anything he has written.
Although the story takes place in space, it isn't quite as technology heavy as Revelation Space. Revenger relies more on a steampunk, pirate and treasure hunt theme. The twist and turns of the characters and plot, are all Reynolds (I felt it to be so, anyway). It had it's brutal moments, somewhat unexpected because the book starts out as a kind of cozy sci-fi. I will be reading more in the trilogy.
Although the story takes place in space, it isn't quite as technology heavy as Revelation Space. Revenger relies more on a steampunk, pirate and treasure hunt theme. The twist and turns of the characters and plot, are all Reynolds (I felt it to be so, anyway). It had it's brutal moments, somewhat unexpected because the book starts out as a kind of cozy sci-fi. I will be reading more in the trilogy.