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timinbc's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not sure this achieved all of the many targets it aimed for.
I see quite a few comments from people apparently unaware that this is a tribute to "The Thin Man," recalling a time many decades ago when billionaires did indeed flaunt their power and drink a lot.
The space science had enough effort put into it, and the consequences of the setup were well used (Coriolis force, shortcut through different level, etc.)
The autobots were perhaps a tad overcapable, and the last thing one was used for - really?
Tesla was annoying even without her devices, but I wanted her to win anyway. The lawyer thing was well worked out, but the whole delay thing was overused and eventually annoying.
Shal's too good to be true, but this happens in lots of novels.
The dog is cutesy-poo (I am a cat person), and for all the work Kowal did on service dogs, he sure doesn't spend much time being one.
Bob and Maria were good.
So, the DBPS. I don't want to criticize any author for being inclusive, but this is a difficult one. Tesla's DBPS is intrusive and complicating -- but it would be in real life, and once you've decided to include it you have to play it out. It's too bad that it allowed Kowal to do the same thing all the other authors do, the old "it's only - ow! - pain, we've (ugh) got a job to do." For TWO characters. At least they weren't dry-swallowing ten painkillers every few minutes.
The mystery was perhaps a tad overcomplicated, but it was amusing and worked out in the end, accounting for all the events.
I enjoyed it.
I see quite a few comments from people apparently unaware that this is a tribute to "The Thin Man," recalling a time many decades ago when billionaires did indeed flaunt their power and drink a lot.
The space science had enough effort put into it, and the consequences of the setup were well used (Coriolis force, shortcut through different level, etc.)
The autobots were perhaps a tad overcapable, and the last thing one was used for - really?
Tesla was annoying even without her devices, but I wanted her to win anyway. The lawyer thing was well worked out, but the whole delay thing was overused and eventually annoying.
Shal's too good to be true, but this happens in lots of novels.
The dog is cutesy-poo (I am a cat person), and for all the work Kowal did on service dogs, he sure doesn't spend much time being one.
Bob and Maria were good.
So, the DBPS. I don't want to criticize any author for being inclusive, but this is a difficult one. Tesla's DBPS is intrusive and complicating -- but it would be in real life, and once you've decided to include it you have to play it out. It's too bad that it allowed Kowal to do the same thing all the other authors do, the old "it's only - ow! - pain, we've (ugh) got a job to do." For TWO characters. At least they weren't dry-swallowing ten painkillers every few minutes.
The mystery was perhaps a tad overcomplicated, but it was amusing and worked out in the end, accounting for all the events.
I enjoyed it.
the_one_krissy's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
allie5x5's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
seguarosaurus's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
live_2_read's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
njdarkish's review against another edition
2.0
Though there are some fun ideas in this the characters are unfortunately pretty bland and it's difficult to follow who the full cast is. I also felt like this book had so many points it had to remind me about the rules about service dogs that the story came second to that as a PSA.
redwing's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Violence
Minor: Kidnapping
bhnmt61's review against another edition
5.0
This was super fun. It started slowly, but by the end, I couldn’t read fast enough. Newlyweds Tesla Crane, a wealthy heiress, and Shalmaneser Steward, a retired detective, are on a luxury space ship on their way to honeymoon on Mars when people start to die. And they die in ways that make Tesla and Shal look like murderers. What can they do but try to find the real killer?
To the reviewers who are complaining about Tesla’s obvious wealth and privilege, it might help to be aware that Kowal draws inspiration from the old Nick & Nora “Thin Man” movies made in the 1930s-40s. The whole idea was the flirtatious interplay between wealthy Nora and her retired detective husband Nick. They perpetually had a drink in their hands and a wisecrack or a smooch to share. And in their spare time they solved mysteries. My only irritation was the extremely thin line between being brave and being stupid, which Tesla manages to cross on a couple of occasions. But it all comes right in the end, because of course it does. Nick and Nora would allow nothing less. Four and a half stars rounded up.
To the reviewers who are complaining about Tesla’s obvious wealth and privilege, it might help to be aware that Kowal draws inspiration from the old Nick & Nora “Thin Man” movies made in the 1930s-40s. The whole idea was the flirtatious interplay between wealthy Nora and her retired detective husband Nick. They perpetually had a drink in their hands and a wisecrack or a smooch to share. And in their spare time they solved mysteries. My only irritation was the extremely thin line between being brave and being stupid, which Tesla manages to cross on a couple of occasions. But it all comes right in the end, because of course it does. Nick and Nora would allow nothing less. Four and a half stars rounded up.
ritabrush's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
5.0