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namatata'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
melrlite's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
katyanaish's review
4.0
Despite a little bit of a clunky start - it jumped into the thick of things so fast I wondered if I'd missed a previous book or series - I really enjoyed this book. It's a very large cast of characters, so this first book is mostly about getting to know them all and the framework of this world/series ... but the setup is a good one, and I'm super excited to see where it goes.
atagarev's review
3.0
A fun light read. I'll probably check out the next book when it comes out.
That said, it reads a lot more like the pilot episode of a 90s TV series than a "proper" book i.e. setup for the characters and their relationships, a little bit about the world and future conflicts, a single action scene but there is very little in the way of actual plot or resolution. It really is just an introduction and even if well executed, it doesn't really stand up on its own.
That said, it reads a lot more like the pilot episode of a 90s TV series than a "proper" book i.e. setup for the characters and their relationships, a little bit about the world and future conflicts, a single action scene but there is very little in the way of actual plot or resolution. It really is just an introduction and even if well executed, it doesn't really stand up on its own.
glyneth's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-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? No
3.0
Is there such a thing as Urban Space Fantasy? Space Urban Fantasy? I started to think of this book as an Urban Fantasy, set in space, so I'm trying to categorize it and nothing quite works other than that.
I thought this was more romance than sf, but it turns out it's the opposite. Lots of space politics and intricate (some might say convoluted, but they would not be me) plots, which is my jam.
Alas, this book felt more like a setup for the series than a whole book unto itself. I reached the end and was like Oh, it's over already. Huh. But I liked it enough to continue the series.
I thought this was more romance than sf, but it turns out it's the opposite. Lots of space politics and intricate (some might say convoluted, but they would not be me) plots, which is my jam.
Alas, this book felt more like a setup for the series than a whole book unto itself. I reached the end and was like Oh, it's over already. Huh. But I liked it enough to continue the series.
bookish_caprice's review against another edition
4.0
Unexpectedly different and very enjoyable!
That was very interesting and different. I didn’t notice how I reached the end of the book. It took me a little to get into the book with new world building and descriptions, and learn quite few new words. This is the first book for me from that author and the writing style is interesting as well, resembles academic books, I even started wondering about author’s background and education. I’ll definitely read the rest of the books in series.
That was very interesting and different. I didn’t notice how I reached the end of the book. It took me a little to get into the book with new world building and descriptions, and learn quite few new words. This is the first book for me from that author and the writing style is interesting as well, resembles academic books, I even started wondering about author’s background and education. I’ll definitely read the rest of the books in series.
john_r's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
iheartpuns's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
tessisreading2's review
3.0
This book basically exemplifies the importance of a good editor: the world-building is top-notch, the main characters are kind and interesting, and there is an actual plot underlying it all… but the pacing is off and the writing could be much, much tighter. We’re introduced to a new character every thirty seconds - it’s like an Honor Harrington novel where every single person with a one-line speaking role gets a full name and rank - and there’s too much exposition. It’s a good, fun, interesting read, but it could have been an actual great novel - and that it’s really not.
deareaderzoe's review
4.0
I throughly enjoyed this book. The plot is fascinating and totally draws you into this new world. The world building is amazing, we learn a lot in this first book about the distinctions between different factions, their space-faring past and their current politics and motivations. One of my favourite parts was learning about the different alien species that they have discovered, even if they are sadly extinct.
I would have liked to see more interaction between Nora and Liam in this book but I don’t think it necessarily takes away from the story. This book was to me sci-fi first with a romance sub-plot, that I hope will grow in the following books. I really liked Liam’s crew and their teasing.
The writing is good. We learn a lot but it never feels like an information dump and it really sets the stage for the conflicts and everything that is going on. One thing I’m most fascinated by are the lenses and the way that space travel works here, can’t wait to learn more about the rivers and black holes!
This was a great opening book, both the plot and the cast of characters capture your attention. It maintains a great balance of revealing enough to interest you but leaves stones unturned for the reader to discover in the next instalment. I’m looking forward to book 2.
I would have liked to see more interaction between Nora and Liam in this book but I don’t think it necessarily takes away from the story. This book was to me sci-fi first with a romance sub-plot, that I hope will grow in the following books. I really liked Liam’s crew and their teasing.
The writing is good. We learn a lot but it never feels like an information dump and it really sets the stage for the conflicts and everything that is going on. One thing I’m most fascinated by are the lenses and the way that space travel works here, can’t wait to learn more about the rivers and black holes!
This was a great opening book, both the plot and the cast of characters capture your attention. It maintains a great balance of revealing enough to interest you but leaves stones unturned for the reader to discover in the next instalment. I’m looking forward to book 2.