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erikariehigano22's review against another edition
2.0
It actually breaks my heart to give this book, the most anticipated series back in my teenage years, 2 stars almost five years later. I did finished this book. But because I did not utilised my Goodreads account back then and I was such an unmotivated reader at the time, I entirely forgot the whole plot of the book and even the character deaths (sorry Mathias).
Rho is honestly such a weak character I'm so sorry. I do think she could have been improved with some few decision-making skills whatsoever. It's as if the book is carrying her, not the other way around with good books. I do wish the next book provides us point of views of other characters (Hysan, Nishi, even Ambassador Sirna) and/or let the side characters narrate in one or two, few chapters. Even if it means I have to tolerate the first point-of-view writing (Not the book's fault, but just one of my lowkey illogical pet peeves).
I used to love Hysan back in my first read. But now that I finished this book today, he seems to be a little bit one-dimensional. Besides being the child scientist-prodigy and the secretly underaged Guardian of House Libra, he's known for being Rho's forbidden love interest. I do hope more amazing things can be presented to Hysan or else his character would have been a waste. With that said, I used to find Mathias as so boring. But now maybe my more matured, adulting attitude resonated with Mathias' calm and logical approach into things. Unlike Hysan who seemed to treat Rho as a delicate baby who deserves to be spoiled and taken care of, Mathias saw Rho as a woman capable of putting herself out there with more time, experience, training and self-esteem. That's why I feel as if he was just killed off in order to focus on Hysan and Rho as the main couple instead. I do feel disappointed. I get it Rho is depicted as your "average" 17 year old with hormones haywire yet expected to grow up faster than her peers, but the love triangle seems to be uncalled for, if not then too rushed and too explicit in the midst of the world building.
So many things were either left unanswered that left you frustrated, or explained with the lack of depth necessary. Prime example was Rho being chosen as the new Guardian of Cancer. We get it she's the "unique" bunch from her peer group, or her skills are highly advanced than your average Acolyte. But it appears it does not justify why she was not prepared for this role despite being considered such as with training and theory learning. It didn't sit right with me throughout reading that I had to argue with myself that she is/is not a Mary Sue archetype. As someone who loves Astrology, the world building is the only thing I love in this book. The objective observations into each of the House's cultures, infrastructures and social systems fully captivated me into reading the book.
I do believe I scrutinised this book through the lens of 19 year old me who had to develop in life together with her taste and preferences with books, which explains this harsh criticism. Despite this rating, I will still read the next book. I do believe we might explicitly see Rho's maturity and character growth.
If you want to get into a headstart into the workings of science fiction as a genre but want to take it slow and have a breather from its heavy themes, I think this book is definitely a great start. So I would still suggest this book, especially for new readers. Also, I promised for my teenage self I would finish this series. Maybe before 2021 ends, or after the holidays? I am not sure. But I do plan to keep that promise.
Rho is honestly such a weak character I'm so sorry. I do think she could have been improved with some few decision-making skills whatsoever. It's as if the book is carrying her, not the other way around with good books. I do wish the next book provides us point of views of other characters (Hysan, Nishi, even Ambassador Sirna) and/or let the side characters narrate in one or two, few chapters. Even if it means I have to tolerate the first point-of-view writing (Not the book's fault, but just one of my lowkey illogical pet peeves).
I used to love Hysan back in my first read. But now that I finished this book today, he seems to be a little bit one-dimensional. Besides being the child scientist-prodigy and the secretly underaged Guardian of House Libra, he's known for being Rho's forbidden love interest. I do hope more amazing things can be presented to Hysan or else his character would have been a waste. With that said, I used to find Mathias as so boring. But now maybe my more matured, adulting attitude resonated with Mathias' calm and logical approach into things. Unlike Hysan who seemed to treat Rho as a delicate baby who deserves to be spoiled and taken care of, Mathias saw Rho as a woman capable of putting herself out there with more time, experience, training and self-esteem. That's why I feel as if he was just killed off in order to focus on Hysan and Rho as the main couple instead. I do feel disappointed. I get it Rho is depicted as your "average" 17 year old with hormones haywire yet expected to grow up faster than her peers, but the love triangle seems to be uncalled for, if not then too rushed and too explicit in the midst of the world building.
So many things were either left unanswered that left you frustrated, or explained with the lack of depth necessary. Prime example was Rho being chosen as the new Guardian of Cancer. We get it she's the "unique" bunch from her peer group, or her skills are highly advanced than your average Acolyte. But it appears it does not justify why she was not prepared for this role despite being considered such as with training and theory learning. It didn't sit right with me throughout reading that I had to argue with myself that she is/is not a Mary Sue archetype. As someone who loves Astrology, the world building is the only thing I love in this book. The objective observations into each of the House's cultures, infrastructures and social systems fully captivated me into reading the book.
I do believe I scrutinised this book through the lens of 19 year old me who had to develop in life together with her taste and preferences with books, which explains this harsh criticism. Despite this rating, I will still read the next book. I do believe we might explicitly see Rho's maturity and character growth.
If you want to get into a headstart into the workings of science fiction as a genre but want to take it slow and have a breather from its heavy themes, I think this book is definitely a great start. So I would still suggest this book, especially for new readers. Also, I promised for my teenage self I would finish this series. Maybe before 2021 ends, or after the holidays? I am not sure. But I do plan to keep that promise.
goodyeargoodbooks's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. I had such high expectations for this! The world behind it was amazing, and the premise interested me a lot, however the characters and the romance did irreparably damage the book for me. Firstly, the protagonist started okay, but by the end had escalated into a whiny, self-important bitch. There was a huge love triangle in this book, and not an enjoyable one either. One of the love interests, Mathias, was actually a great character, one I enjoyed reading about immensely. The other, Hysan, was exactly the kind of character I detest; the cocky, smug, arrogant bad boy, bearing a lot of similarities to Will Herondale and Adrian Ivashkov, which is the biggest turn-off imaginable for me. The romance was very central in the book, at times overshadowing the fantastic plot and world the author had created. A bit of a let-down, given the potential that was so clearly visible.
Taken from https://emdoesbookreviews.wordpress.com/2015/05/13/what-i-have-read-during-my-absence/#more-1031
Taken from https://emdoesbookreviews.wordpress.com/2015/05/13/what-i-have-read-during-my-absence/#more-1031
erica13's review against another edition
3.0
I was kind of confused as to what I wanted to rate this book. While most of the book REALLY irked me, the ending has made me want to come back for the next one.
I will admit, Rho as a character tended to be unlikable for me, but she redeemed herself through her good qualities. She was boy-crazy (like WOW, switching feelings about the boys every time they breathed?), acted older than she was (which you would like to be on her side with this because of how the dumbass, ignorant adults treated her because of her age but yet not at the same time?) and she questioned herself and her love triangle relationships as many times as I questioned whether I actually liked the book or not. By the end of the book, I appreciated Rho for her love of her home, family, sense of duty, and overall growth throughout her journey. I would like to watch her fully grow into herself, possible responsibilities, and emotions.
The love triangle is a big aspect of the story that many people did not appreciate. While it was annoying to see the boys throw themselves to every whim Rho needed or wanted, I appreciated the different personalities it gave the story. It also reminded me of the Hunger Games in a sense, which made it more bearable. (Probably just me on this, but it did add to the story.)
If you can’t tell, this book had me feeling ALL types of ways. Although in the end, I realized that I actually want to read the sequel. Not just to know the rest of the story, but because I care about the characters, which means to me that this was a book I really enjoyed. Thanks for reading my rant.
I will admit, Rho as a character tended to be unlikable for me, but she redeemed herself through her good qualities. She was boy-crazy (like WOW, switching feelings about the boys every time they breathed?), acted older than she was (which you would like to be on her side with this because of how the dumbass, ignorant adults treated her because of her age but yet not at the same time?) and she questioned herself and her love triangle relationships as many times as I questioned whether I actually liked the book or not. By the end of the book, I appreciated Rho for her love of her home, family, sense of duty, and overall growth throughout her journey. I would like to watch her fully grow into herself, possible responsibilities, and emotions.
The love triangle is a big aspect of the story that many people did not appreciate. While it was annoying to see the boys throw themselves to every whim Rho needed or wanted, I appreciated the different personalities it gave the story. It also reminded me of the Hunger Games in a sense, which made it more bearable. (Probably just me on this, but it did add to the story.)
If you can’t tell, this book had me feeling ALL types of ways. Although in the end, I realized that I actually want to read the sequel. Not just to know the rest of the story, but because I care about the characters, which means to me that this was a book I really enjoyed. Thanks for reading my rant.
jennkei's review against another edition
4.0
Some parts were a little clumsy, but surprisingly engaging.
lindz's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
Zodiac by Romina Russell This book starts out with a family that live in house Cancer. It about a 16 year old student that has a unusual way of reading the stars. The family is Romina and Stanton and her dad. Her mother leaves her family. It mostly about Romina her talent.There a blast at her school that she attending and reading stars. Rho is told she has to re-do the test. Though she see something in the first time. She does it with out the measurements unlike her classmates. They all thinks she making up stories. There as event that happens while she with the band. What happens here starts a chain reaction. Only a few students survive the event.Any of the survivors that survive are sent back to their home planet. Though Rho and her friends end up going to House of Cancer. Everyone is surprised to see all destruction. Things get more exciting once they reach Ocean 6 station on House Cancer.The book get you hook to wanting more and it even get better. There are adventures throughout the book. There are twist and turns. It keep you guessing at whats going happen. Is he Dark Matter real? Is Rho Guardian of House Cancer? What will happen next? Did the Council do the right thing by taking Guardianship of Rho?
squidopedia's review against another edition
3.0
The whole idea is super cool and had me hooked but the writing style wasn't 100% my favourite & the main character bothered me a bit. All in all a decent read!
dailydoseofmakayla's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
saigealiya's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this but I didn't care for one of her love interests and sometimes the plot didn't make sense. It was hard to suspend my disbelief when she became Guardian of her house and throughout the book some of the things that happened just didn't make sense. However, the world was developed extremely well and I enjoyed reading about the different Houses.
0blitzhuman0's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0