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jasmine_elizabeth's review
4.0
I enjoyed this wonderful short story. I liked the friendship between Dorian and Hugo; that was quite instantaneous even though they are different classes. The biologicals are the upper-class privileged people, and they can all be of different species. The androids are the lower class, the servants and the homeless, which are replaced whenever and abandoned whenever.
I appreciated the amount of world-building that went into this short story and the fact that we had a build-up of suspense in all of 119 pages; it was very well done.
I appreciated the amount of world-building that went into this short story and the fact that we had a build-up of suspense in all of 119 pages; it was very well done.
alongreader's review
4.0
An abandoned android scrapes a living as a watchmaker on an intergalactic campus. He's lonely but content until the day a fast paced duke comes to his door, demanding help. Everything will change if they succeed in their mission.
I've read several Lauren James novels, but I think I'm most impressed by this one. The others were all amazing reads, but this is so imaginative; butterflies riding bicycles, living (but mini) planets and underwater species living on algae are just a few of the delights here. Lauren has been on my instabuy list since [b:The Loneliest Girl in the Universe|32601841|The Loneliest Girl in the Universe|Lauren James|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1481825805l/32601841._SY75_.jpg|53182746] but she is now firmly ensconced there. The characters are fantastic and the whole story rattles along at a wonderful speed; not so fast we're lost, not so slow we're bored. This is going to be a great one to add to her portfolio.
I received a proof copy and chose to write an honest review.
I've read several Lauren James novels, but I think I'm most impressed by this one. The others were all amazing reads, but this is so imaginative; butterflies riding bicycles, living (but mini) planets and underwater species living on algae are just a few of the delights here. Lauren has been on my instabuy list since [b:The Loneliest Girl in the Universe|32601841|The Loneliest Girl in the Universe|Lauren James|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1481825805l/32601841._SY75_.jpg|53182746] but she is now firmly ensconced there. The characters are fantastic and the whole story rattles along at a wonderful speed; not so fast we're lost, not so slow we're bored. This is going to be a great one to add to her portfolio.
I received a proof copy and chose to write an honest review.
ren's review
4.0
what a stunning little book. lovely themes and delightful world building.
simple to read, so great for younger readers or those who prefer something more straightforward.
simple to read, so great for younger readers or those who prefer something more straightforward.
efuaesaba's review
5.0
How dare this be so freaking adorable?! Tea dragon society vibes - wholesome and lovely and super short. Gonna inhale the next one as soon as it becomes available.
ineffablebooks's review
4.0
So cute!! The short sentences kinda bugged me but the big take away here is WHOLESOME
booksandlemonsquash's review
4.0
I somehow missed that this was a novella, so was a little sad it was so short! But that’s only because I was enjoying it so much!
This is a super cute little sci fi mystery and touches on themes of inclusivity that I really loved. The friendship that develops between Hugo and Dorien was just adorable. And I loved Ada! She’s going to grow up to be a planet! That’s just so cool.
I really hope we get more in this world, because it’s so fun.
This is a super cute little sci fi mystery and touches on themes of inclusivity that I really loved. The friendship that develops between Hugo and Dorien was just adorable. And I loved Ada! She’s going to grow up to be a planet! That’s just so cool.
I really hope we get more in this world, because it’s so fun.
aelynreads's review
4.0
The Starlight Watchmaker is a delightful middle grade sci-fi short story. The book is set at an academy on it's own planet, where wealthy families from planets across the star system send their children to learn diplomacy, languages and other skills vital for running their planet. The paths of our two main characters, Hugo and Dorian, cross when Dorian, a student at the academy, visits Hugo, an android watchmaker, to fix his broken time travel watch. However, Hugo and Dorian quickly uncover that several students have had their watches tampered with and they set out to find the cause.
This sci-fi adventure immerses the reader in a rich and diverse world. It really is surprising how much world building there is in such a short plot-focused book. I truly admire the imagination of Lauren James to create such a wonderful world. From Ada, a student who is a living rock and will one day grow into a planet, to the library where books are literally grown on trees, this book has such vivid and imaginative descriptions of species and inventions and I'd love to explore this world further through other stories.
Usually in plot-focused stories, the characters take a back seat to the action and are not particularly interesting or important to the story. That's the not the case with The Starlight Watchmaker, where the reader really feels connected to the main character, Hugo. I found myself really invested in his story, feeling saddened by his history of being abandoned and feeling lonely, and then feeling so happy at his budding friendship with Dorian. I also loved how the story touches on social justice issues, as androids are considered lesser than biological species. It was well integrated into the world building and the plot, and added a thoughtful and meaningful tone to the story.
I feel like it was hinted that
I have seen some readers describe this book as young adult, and I would say that this book better fits the genre of middle grade. The writing is very simplistic and the plot and characters are lacking in the depth and complexity that you might expect from a young adult novel. I think readers will get more enjoyment out of the story if they go into it knowing that it is a middle grade book, rather than young adult. Having said that, it's still a fantastic middle grade story and it really packs in a lot of plot, world building and character development for such a short and sweet book.
I must say, I absolutely adore the Barrington Stoke novels and I love how accessible they are for people with dyslexia, reluctant readers or anyone who just wants to pick up a short story. The Starlight Watchmaker is a brilliant addition to the already fantastic collection of stories published by Barrington Stoke and I would highly recommend it for middle graders and young teens.
This sci-fi adventure immerses the reader in a rich and diverse world. It really is surprising how much world building there is in such a short plot-focused book. I truly admire the imagination of Lauren James to create such a wonderful world. From Ada, a student who is a living rock and will one day grow into a planet, to the library where books are literally grown on trees, this book has such vivid and imaginative descriptions of species and inventions and I'd love to explore this world further through other stories.
Usually in plot-focused stories, the characters take a back seat to the action and are not particularly interesting or important to the story. That's the not the case with The Starlight Watchmaker, where the reader really feels connected to the main character, Hugo. I found myself really invested in his story, feeling saddened by his history of being abandoned and feeling lonely, and then feeling so happy at his budding friendship with Dorian. I also loved how the story touches on social justice issues, as androids are considered lesser than biological species. It was well integrated into the world building and the plot, and added a thoughtful and meaningful tone to the story.
I feel like it was hinted that
Spoiler
Hugo and Dorian kinda fancied each other and might enter into a romantic relationship, and I wish that the book had been more clear on their relationship. Either be gay or be friends, you know? I got to the end of the book and felt I needed something more to understand the direction their relationship was headed in.I have seen some readers describe this book as young adult, and I would say that this book better fits the genre of middle grade. The writing is very simplistic and the plot and characters are lacking in the depth and complexity that you might expect from a young adult novel. I think readers will get more enjoyment out of the story if they go into it knowing that it is a middle grade book, rather than young adult. Having said that, it's still a fantastic middle grade story and it really packs in a lot of plot, world building and character development for such a short and sweet book.
I must say, I absolutely adore the Barrington Stoke novels and I love how accessible they are for people with dyslexia, reluctant readers or anyone who just wants to pick up a short story. The Starlight Watchmaker is a brilliant addition to the already fantastic collection of stories published by Barrington Stoke and I would highly recommend it for middle graders and young teens.
planetbeth91's review
4.0
Excellent read with a neat story that aptly explores a variety of themes whilst being wonderfully accessible to teens who find reading difficult!