Reviews

Mazarin Blues by Alia Hess

avis03's review against another edition

4.5

MM (Reed x Jax) NBi x NBi (Mazarin x Em), Sci-Fi, Dystopian, 2060s, Romance Sub-plot, 3rd POV (Reed), 1st POV (Mazarin)

Status: Non-KU, Series, Conflict -

Internal, External

Reed: Autistic, Anxiety/Panic Disorder, Gay, Autopsy Tech, Ginger Hair, Wears Glasses, Has a Cat, Nipple Ring, Art Deco Era (1930s) Enthusiast 

Jax: Tattoo Artist, Diabetic, Latino, Bi, Heavily Tattooed, Painted Nails

Mazarin: AI in Reed's Head, NBi (Genderfluid) (He/Him, She/Her), Gray Ace,

Obtains Holographic Body

Em: NBi, Bar Owner, Deals in Illegal Tech, Disabled

Rep: Autistic MC, Anxiety/Panic Disorder, Gay, Bi/Pansexual, Gray Ace, M/M and NBi/NBi Romance 

CWs:

blood, death, brief biphobia, hospitalization, anxiety/panic disorder, depression, alcohol use, house fire, brief description of a corpse (protagonist works in a morgue), mentions of people (off page) being coerced into suicide, electrocution, graphic violence, discussions of an emotionally abusive ex

aehmyers's review against another edition

emotional hopeful tense fast-paced

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

4.25

need_more_meta's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.0

taegen's review against another edition

4.0

This 👏 was 👏 so 👏 good! 👏

ladyfives's review against another edition

4.0

I wasn’t human and certainly didn’t know how to be one, but my feelings were real, my personality my own. If I did enough good in the lives of others, would it make up for the fact that I wasn’t supposed to be here at all?

Fun world, fun characters!! I loved the concept of an "underground" culture of colourful, joyful thirties-loving folks navigating around the staunch, stale, tech-dependant world they're stuck in. Especially how that was played with in the dialogue. All that bonkers slang. Mazarin spent a lot of time being creepy but they were a sweet, earnest creep after all.

Though, I expected a little more crime & mystery out of it. There was a lot more focus on romance & the dynamics between the characters, rather than intrigue and murdery AI shenanigans.

chocoholicwriter's review against another edition

adventurous emotional 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

5.0

I loved this book! The setting, which is both futuristic and historical, is beautifully crafted. The characters are deep and different and challenging and I really felt with them. The setting is extraordinary, with it parallels to today's issues and I while I hope the future won't look like I this book, I loved the world building. Must read! 

redlotus_andjoy's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

mousegoddess's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious 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

The way the pace ramps up is very much my jam. Great dynamics, liked how mental illness was treated, real fucking queer, and had a plot twist I didn't see coming. I had an inkling but it was only like a quarter correct so I don't count it as me guessing correctly. And the plot twist DID have a foundation laid, hence how I even got a quarter correct. Highly enjoyed. 

terriaminute's review against another edition

18% in: Intriguing. The slang is throwing me, but I suspect it's because I'm old enough to remember it was old and dusty when I was young. But, what goes around comes around, as they say.

But, I am DNFing at 28%. 

Not only is this subculture thing not making enough sense to me, including that it's apparently set in Boise, Idaho, but the plot is just. So. Slow, while the prose is very explainy, which is a terrible combination. 

Honestly, I'm kinda mad. That cover is brilliant. The story just did not measure up for me.

claudiearseneault's review against another edition

emotional funny tense

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0