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stephxsu's review against another edition
3.0
Have you heard of Firefly, the sci-fi/western Joss Whedon-directed TV show that’s arguably one of the best shows ever produced? BLACK HOLE SUN is very much like Firefly, which is both good and challenging: the book has a similar sense of humor, characterization, and setting, but is hard-pressed to live up to its fantastic inspiration.
The best thing about BLACK HOLE SUN is hands-down Durango’s voice. He’s a definite Captain Mal Reynolds: once an accomplished academy member turned self-employed rogue, with all the snarkily pragmatic disaffection that such a position nurtures. He and his AI, his cheeky former boss Mimi, provide neverending amounts of conversational back-and-forths, you know, the sort you always wish you could engage in in real life but could never real pull off except with multiple revisions. Durango’s witty dialogue takes center stage and never fails to leave you chuckling, even as the plot plods and the other characters don’t shine as brightly.
Indeed, BLACK HOLE SUN sometimes feels like it relies too much on the appeal of Durango’s voice to pay more attention to other important elements of story. It’s slow-going, the plot: the main conflict doesn’t even arise until almost halfway through the book, and even then it meanders so much that oftentimes I found myself scratching my head and wondering if there was anything, anything at all, going on. The supporting characters are way less developed. With the exception of Vienne, Durango’s right hand and maybe-maybe-not love interest, the other characters don’t really stand out or make much of a lasting impression.
If you read BLACK HOLE SUN, read it for its brilliant voice, one of the most unique ones out there currently in YA lit. It’s no Firefly, but if you’re okay with a slower plot, then you get to focus on the brilliance that is Durango’s character.
The best thing about BLACK HOLE SUN is hands-down Durango’s voice. He’s a definite Captain Mal Reynolds: once an accomplished academy member turned self-employed rogue, with all the snarkily pragmatic disaffection that such a position nurtures. He and his AI, his cheeky former boss Mimi, provide neverending amounts of conversational back-and-forths, you know, the sort you always wish you could engage in in real life but could never real pull off except with multiple revisions. Durango’s witty dialogue takes center stage and never fails to leave you chuckling, even as the plot plods and the other characters don’t shine as brightly.
Indeed, BLACK HOLE SUN sometimes feels like it relies too much on the appeal of Durango’s voice to pay more attention to other important elements of story. It’s slow-going, the plot: the main conflict doesn’t even arise until almost halfway through the book, and even then it meanders so much that oftentimes I found myself scratching my head and wondering if there was anything, anything at all, going on. The supporting characters are way less developed. With the exception of Vienne, Durango’s right hand and maybe-maybe-not love interest, the other characters don’t really stand out or make much of a lasting impression.
If you read BLACK HOLE SUN, read it for its brilliant voice, one of the most unique ones out there currently in YA lit. It’s no Firefly, but if you’re okay with a slower plot, then you get to focus on the brilliance that is Durango’s character.
thelibrarylady42's review against another edition
4.0
I am giving Gill the benefit of the doubt and hoping he hadn't seen or heard of Firefly before he wrote this book. I love this book almost as much as I love my favorite space western, Firefly.
The book is action packed and fast-paced which can be both good and bad. It's good because I was never bored, bad because I wish I had more time to get to know the characters. I would have loved to better understand the miners and why they choose to stay. I would have loved to get to know all of the characters better and maybe we will in later books as it appears there is a second one...Okay not appears it's waiting for me in NetGalley and I'm totally starting today.
I loved Durango and the easy banter between him and his A.I. Mimi. Though at first I was really confused and couldn't figure out exactly what she was. Even after I knew who she was sometimes it was hard to tell who he was talking to because he would switch back and forth mid-conversation. He was rough, sarcastic, caring, and honorable. He IS Mal Reynolds. Except he is in love with his second and she is in love with him right back.
The book is action packed and fast-paced which can be both good and bad. It's good because I was never bored, bad because I wish I had more time to get to know the characters. I would have loved to better understand the miners and why they choose to stay. I would have loved to get to know all of the characters better and maybe we will in later books as it appears there is a second one...Okay not appears it's waiting for me in NetGalley and I'm totally starting today.
I loved Durango and the easy banter between him and his A.I. Mimi. Though at first I was really confused and couldn't figure out exactly what she was. Even after I knew who she was sometimes it was hard to tell who he was talking to because he would switch back and forth mid-conversation. He was rough, sarcastic, caring, and honorable. He IS Mal Reynolds. Except he is in love with his second and she is in love with him right back.
debbiebarr's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. Great characters, voice and universe, just wish more about the world had been explained.
catcervone's review against another edition
4.0
4.2 stars. I loved this book. Sure, the book had some proofreading errors, and there were certainly some plot points that could have been explained better. I would have liked more detail at times as well. But I liked the plot and the characters. The story was really quick-paced too. Overall, a great read!
kelleemoye's review against another edition
4.0
An action packed full on sci-fi novel which takes place on Mars after it has been colonized by humans. Durango is the chief of a group of misfit Regulators who have been hired to help a town of miners fight off cannibalistic creatures who especially like children. Full of fight scenes, back stabbing and suspense, Black Hole Sun is great for the lover of sci fi or action books. I do have some more questions, so I hope they are answered in the sequels :)
goodbetterbetsy's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent writing but I wasn't completely held by the story. I got bored a few times, but am glad I stuck with it. Worth the read.
carstensena's review against another edition
4.0
Great dialogue, non-stop action. A bit too reminiscent of Firefly perhaps?