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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
Original Review at Fiction Description
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
"Are we always our mistakes? Does anything we do heal them?"
It's never wise to judge a book by the quotes on the back of the dust jacket, but some glowing praise from my favourite YA sci-fi writer, Beth Revis, as well as other just-as-rave reviews which dubbed Salvage "kick-ass, brilliant, feminist science fiction" definitely gave me high hopes for this debut novel.
While Salvage was enjoyable enough, it certainly didn't live up to my lofty expectations. A good novel needs a lot of the things, but when that novel is science fiction, perhaps the element that is paramount is its worldbuilding. A good world can make or break a novel, and while generic worldbuilding can be redeemed by an extremely intriguing plot or characters, a well-built world can carry a generic cast of characters or a well-worn plot a far ways. Unfortunately, Salvage's world failed to deliver. From the very beginning, I found it difficult to buy into the whole Space Amish scenario; even once the setting shifted to the Gyre, the worldbuilding continued to puzzle. A futuristic setting is unique in that it enables the author to easily communicate their view on present-day issues through the future they create, but Duncan seems to shy away from making any sort of statement one way or another on any issue other than feminism. A continent made of trash is bound to carry connotations of some sort regarding environmentalism or commercialism or... something. But instead, the setting of the Gyre is vastly underdeveloped, used for nothing more than yet another cheap tragedy to push the main plot along. Forget Diet Theme... Duncan introduces InvisiTheme, so hard to see, it's like it's not even there!
While I've stated that unique characters and their characterization can make up for a dull world, the cast of Salvage is nothing new. Be it in the Parastrata, the Gyre, or Mumbai, Duncan's world seems to be populated exclusively with stock characters. Child prodigy? Check. The golden-hearted one with a troubled past? Check. The kind mentor figure whose death acts as a driving force to our hero's quest? Check. The calculating, immoral, and emotionless scientist? Check. There's very few characters in Salvage that you haven't seen a thousand times before, and in likely more nuanced variations. Furthermore, these characters are exceptionally flat... save for dying, nobody changes much over the course of the lengthy novel, and this lack of depth and development prevents the reader from becoming engrossed in Duncan's tale.
The one exception to this rule is Ava Parastrata, the story's heroine. Her character development - and the feminist theme portrayed by this development - are easily the most engaging aspects of Salvage (almost as if Ava and the girl-power message sucked every last drop out of the characterization and theme budgets, making them intriguing, rich splashes on a backdrop of grey and cliche). My opening quote provides a good summation of Ava's storyline and conflict: is redemption possible? Can one become whole again, become someone new? Refreshingly explored and thoughtfully developed, this thread, coupled with some good ol' girl-power that is not often found in sci-fi novels, provides a taste of what I'd hoped Salvage would be. It's not enough to truly allow the novel to realize its potential, but it's certainly better than nothing.
The other redeeming feature of Salvage is the way Duncan resists the urge to follow in the current YA fad of stretching every story over a trilogy. I can easily see how a lesser writer might have split Salvage into three books: book one taking place on the Parastrata, book two in the Gyre, and book three beginning once Ava and Miyole arrive in Mumbai. As I've mentioned before, there are few things I appreciate more than a writer penning a solid stand-alone, and I'm glad to say that Salvage was that. A multi-segmented tale was started, developed, and finished between two covers, and I was thoroughly satisfied by the time I flipped the last page. Yes, Salvage wasn't all that I hoped it would be, and yes, it was rather myopic, focusing almost exclusively on Ava and the central theme at the expense of all else, but I had a smile on my face by the time I turned the last page, and from one reader to another, can we really ask for much else?
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
"Are we always our mistakes? Does anything we do heal them?"
It's never wise to judge a book by the quotes on the back of the dust jacket, but some glowing praise from my favourite YA sci-fi writer, Beth Revis, as well as other just-as-rave reviews which dubbed Salvage "kick-ass, brilliant, feminist science fiction" definitely gave me high hopes for this debut novel.
While Salvage was enjoyable enough, it certainly didn't live up to my lofty expectations. A good novel needs a lot of the things, but when that novel is science fiction, perhaps the element that is paramount is its worldbuilding. A good world can make or break a novel, and while generic worldbuilding can be redeemed by an extremely intriguing plot or characters, a well-built world can carry a generic cast of characters or a well-worn plot a far ways. Unfortunately, Salvage's world failed to deliver. From the very beginning, I found it difficult to buy into the whole Space Amish scenario; even once the setting shifted to the Gyre, the worldbuilding continued to puzzle. A futuristic setting is unique in that it enables the author to easily communicate their view on present-day issues through the future they create, but Duncan seems to shy away from making any sort of statement one way or another on any issue other than feminism. A continent made of trash is bound to carry connotations of some sort regarding environmentalism or commercialism or... something. But instead, the setting of the Gyre is vastly underdeveloped, used for nothing more than yet another cheap tragedy to push the main plot along. Forget Diet Theme... Duncan introduces InvisiTheme, so hard to see, it's like it's not even there!
While I've stated that unique characters and their characterization can make up for a dull world, the cast of Salvage is nothing new. Be it in the Parastrata, the Gyre, or Mumbai, Duncan's world seems to be populated exclusively with stock characters. Child prodigy? Check. The golden-hearted one with a troubled past? Check. The kind mentor figure whose death acts as a driving force to our hero's quest? Check. The calculating, immoral, and emotionless scientist? Check. There's very few characters in Salvage that you haven't seen a thousand times before, and in likely more nuanced variations. Furthermore, these characters are exceptionally flat... save for dying, nobody changes much over the course of the lengthy novel, and this lack of depth and development prevents the reader from becoming engrossed in Duncan's tale.
The one exception to this rule is Ava Parastrata, the story's heroine. Her character development - and the feminist theme portrayed by this development - are easily the most engaging aspects of Salvage (almost as if Ava and the girl-power message sucked every last drop out of the characterization and theme budgets, making them intriguing, rich splashes on a backdrop of grey and cliche). My opening quote provides a good summation of Ava's storyline and conflict: is redemption possible? Can one become whole again, become someone new? Refreshingly explored and thoughtfully developed, this thread, coupled with some good ol' girl-power that is not often found in sci-fi novels, provides a taste of what I'd hoped Salvage would be. It's not enough to truly allow the novel to realize its potential, but it's certainly better than nothing.
The other redeeming feature of Salvage is the way Duncan resists the urge to follow in the current YA fad of stretching every story over a trilogy. I can easily see how a lesser writer might have split Salvage into three books: book one taking place on the Parastrata, book two in the Gyre, and book three beginning once Ava and Miyole arrive in Mumbai. As I've mentioned before, there are few things I appreciate more than a writer penning a solid stand-alone, and I'm glad to say that Salvage was that. A multi-segmented tale was started, developed, and finished between two covers, and I was thoroughly satisfied by the time I flipped the last page. Yes, Salvage wasn't all that I hoped it would be, and yes, it was rather myopic, focusing almost exclusively on Ava and the central theme at the expense of all else, but I had a smile on my face by the time I turned the last page, and from one reader to another, can we really ask for much else?
Salvage is a true original. Many books I've read have the same elements that make a good science fiction book, I love those books but Salvage takes it to a new level. The way each character develops in their own unique way, like how the main character had a certain way of speaking that differentiates from any other person. I am very fond of this book for is idea is very unique. Thank you Alexandra Duncan for this well thought plot that had me at the edge of my seat.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very much an addicting read. I am so very curious what was in the book that Ava found. I want to know more about how the crewes became the way they did. Overall, a complete adventure!
On the deep space merchant ship Parastrata, polygamy is the norm, women are second class citizens, and traditional gender roles are strictly enforced. When Ava, an unmarried teen, chooses to give her virginity to the boy she loves rather than waiting for a husband of her family’s choosing, she is banished from the only home she’s ever known. Ava knows she cannot survive on her own, so she decides to travel Earth-side to find her mother’s long-lost half-sister. Along the way, she gains a new sense of self-awareness, and learns some hard lessons that challenge the conservative values she was raised with. A smart sci-fi tale with a feminist twist, Salvage is recommended for Ages 16-18, particularly for fans of Wither and other girl power-themed stories.
Really closer to a 4.5. Awesome world-building in a far future sci-fi setting. I really enjoyed the characters, though Ava's inability to communicate her problems to people who could actually help her was frustrating (if totally understandable based on her crewe upbringing). The insta-love with Luck was also a but annoying, but again understandable since she had never experienced positive male relationships in her life aboard her ship. Excellent book, and I can't wait to get my hands on the companion novel!
As to the language of the Parastrata crewe, I totally got a Firefly vibe! I loved that!
As to the language of the Parastrata crewe, I totally got a Firefly vibe! I loved that!
I liked the mood of the book. The contrast between the people living in space and people living on Earth was really interesting.
First things first: the cover depicts a pale-as-snow white girl with dark hair. Ok, yes, she does have dark hair. (though at the point when she 'falls' to earth she has dyed red hair) But making the cover a white girl when she specifically says that she's darker-skinned? Like 75% of the ostracism she gets from her original family is because she looks different from them, so it's actually relevant to the plot. And they put a white girl on the cover. Classy, people. Real classy. I'm so done with covers that have real-life pictures in them; they always look bad.
The book itself: OK. Don't have strong feelings one way or another, so I'm not going to say much. A little slow in the first couple of chapters and once she got to Mumbai. I liked that when she got to Earth it was in the Pacific and in Mumbai. Scifi that isn't set in America is always nice. I liked some of the world-building (the gyre was a nice touch) but I think there should have been more. Tech seemed no different/no more advanced than our tech now, which seems like a lazy decision on the part of the author.
One question: what one earth is a 'so girl'? She says that like 10 times. I figured out the rest of her slang, but not that. It could've used a glossary at the end of the book tbh.
A lot of people seem pissed off about the love triangle, but I'm not too annoyed. I hate love triangles too, but it was such a small part of the book in the end. It was more focused on her and her journey, which I liked. Like, she's not sure if her old boyfriend is dead or not, but she's not going to see him again, so so what if she gets a crush on a different guy? That's not really a love triangle, that's moving on.
I liked Miyalo though, and the mini-plotline about her jerk grandfather. Nice touch on that one.
The book itself: OK. Don't have strong feelings one way or another, so I'm not going to say much. A little slow in the first couple of chapters and once she got to Mumbai. I liked that when she got to Earth it was in the Pacific and in Mumbai. Scifi that isn't set in America is always nice. I liked some of the world-building (the gyre was a nice touch) but I think there should have been more. Tech seemed no different/no more advanced than our tech now, which seems like a lazy decision on the part of the author.
One question: what one earth is a 'so girl'? She says that like 10 times. I figured out the rest of her slang, but not that. It could've used a glossary at the end of the book tbh.
A lot of people seem pissed off about the love triangle, but I'm not too annoyed. I hate love triangles too, but it was such a small part of the book in the end. It was more focused on her and her journey, which I liked. Like, she's not sure if her old boyfriend is dead or not, but she's not going to see him again, so so what if she gets a crush on a different guy? That's not really a love triangle, that's moving on.
I liked Miyalo though, and the mini-plotline about her jerk grandfather. Nice touch on that one.
Salvage just had such an excellent premise and had the opportunity to really be, as some have started calling it, “Feminist sci-fi”. Did it live up to the label? In some ways. Ava’s character has so much growth as she learns that her society’s views of women might be a bit. . . eccentric to the rest of the world. The science fiction part? Well, technically it’s definitely science fiction(they live on a spaceship, all sorts of things, etc.) but I could have totally used more.
I LOVED the opening portion of Salvage. Getting to see inside Ava’s world was fascinating. I thought the way the spaceship society worked was intriguing, though also quite saddening(with all their ideas that women shouldn’t sing, learn math, or learn how to read). And I thought the way Duncan did this was also really well done–there was a lot of world-building without info-dumping, which meant that some things were a bit confusing at first, but I caught on quickly. The story progresses a bit slowly as we learn some of Ava’s back story and the fact she is soon to be a bride to a man on another crew.
The polygamy approach was fascinating(I feel like I keep using this word, but it’s truly the best word I have for this). Ava, as the Captain’s daughter, thinks she’ll be a first bride, and she’s pretty sure she knows who she’s expected to betrothed too–Luck, a childhood friend and a boy she’s pretty sure she’s in love with. But after Ava and Luck get together before the wedding, well, the society won’t stand for that. Ava’s basically sentenced to death(not in so many terms), and escapes to Earth, which is where the story really begins, and unfortunately, where the world-building and writing decrease in quality.
Don’t get me wrong, I wanted Ava to go to earth, find her own way, and realize she’s not worthless. I just felt like this is the part of Salvage where a lot of potential is lost. Ava soon falls in with a kind spaceship Captain and her daughter on the Gyre, a continent in the Pacific ocean from scraps and garbage(I’m still confused as to how that worked). Of course, nothing good last forever so something happens to the Gyre and Ava is forced to set off for Mumbai to find her mother’s half-sister, the only relative Ava has on earth.
This is also where the science fiction part almost. . . stopped. Not completely, but Ava’s on a spaceship, then an island of floating scraps in the middle of the Pacific, and then Mumbai. . . which doesn’t seem all that changed from the present-day Earth except there’s docking sports for spaceships and more technology in the way of tablets and ID chips. But other than that, everything seems suspiciously normal to me. Surely, if some time in the future there were enough advances in science where people could completely live on spaceships, floating piles of trash melded together to create an island, there would be OTHER changes to our physical world.
Salvage is a mostly character driven book, but I still wanted the setting and the world-building to be well-done. And why Mumbai was a wonderful choice(not the most common setting!), there could have just been so much more done there. Luckily, I did like Ava, which is going to be a huge deciding factor in your enjoyment of this book, because it’s *highly* character-driven. There are complete chapters dedicated to pretty much nothing else but Ava’s growth and thoughts. Now personally, I liked Ava–a lot. She doesn’t start out as someone who wants to go against her society just for the sake of it, but knows she can’t quite fit the mold. For one thing, she likes fixing the ship–basically maintenance–which is a job only the men are allowed to do on her crew. And she likes Luck, so they act on that together.
Ava isn’t purposefully defiant, but she just doesn’t fit in the mold everyone around her wants her to. Once she goes to Earth, she has trouble fitting in there as well(as can be expected), but manages to adapt, though she has trouble believing her worth since her crew basically disowned her and tried to kill her. And man, guys, does Ava have it tough some times even AFTER that. Sometimes I just wanted to reach through the book and give her a hug because if anyone deserves it, Ava does. But I love watching Ava come to realize that things she thought about herself just aren’t true, and even though her crew cast her out doesn’t mean she’s worthless. Even the side characters were really well done, and I think Duncan’s strength definitely lies with characterization rather than plotting or world-building.
This review first appeared on Book.Blog.Bake.
I LOVED the opening portion of Salvage. Getting to see inside Ava’s world was fascinating. I thought the way the spaceship society worked was intriguing, though also quite saddening(with all their ideas that women shouldn’t sing, learn math, or learn how to read). And I thought the way Duncan did this was also really well done–there was a lot of world-building without info-dumping, which meant that some things were a bit confusing at first, but I caught on quickly. The story progresses a bit slowly as we learn some of Ava’s back story and the fact she is soon to be a bride to a man on another crew.
The polygamy approach was fascinating(I feel like I keep using this word, but it’s truly the best word I have for this). Ava, as the Captain’s daughter, thinks she’ll be a first bride, and she’s pretty sure she knows who she’s expected to betrothed too–Luck, a childhood friend and a boy she’s pretty sure she’s in love with. But after Ava and Luck get together before the wedding, well, the society won’t stand for that. Ava’s basically sentenced to death(not in so many terms), and escapes to Earth, which is where the story really begins, and unfortunately, where the world-building and writing decrease in quality.
Don’t get me wrong, I wanted Ava to go to earth, find her own way, and realize she’s not worthless. I just felt like this is the part of Salvage where a lot of potential is lost. Ava soon falls in with a kind spaceship Captain and her daughter on the Gyre, a continent in the Pacific ocean from scraps and garbage(I’m still confused as to how that worked). Of course, nothing good last forever so something happens to the Gyre and Ava is forced to set off for Mumbai to find her mother’s half-sister, the only relative Ava has on earth.
This is also where the science fiction part almost. . . stopped. Not completely, but Ava’s on a spaceship, then an island of floating scraps in the middle of the Pacific, and then Mumbai. . . which doesn’t seem all that changed from the present-day Earth except there’s docking sports for spaceships and more technology in the way of tablets and ID chips. But other than that, everything seems suspiciously normal to me. Surely, if some time in the future there were enough advances in science where people could completely live on spaceships, floating piles of trash melded together to create an island, there would be OTHER changes to our physical world.
Salvage is a mostly character driven book, but I still wanted the setting and the world-building to be well-done. And why Mumbai was a wonderful choice(not the most common setting!), there could have just been so much more done there. Luckily, I did like Ava, which is going to be a huge deciding factor in your enjoyment of this book, because it’s *highly* character-driven. There are complete chapters dedicated to pretty much nothing else but Ava’s growth and thoughts. Now personally, I liked Ava–a lot. She doesn’t start out as someone who wants to go against her society just for the sake of it, but knows she can’t quite fit the mold. For one thing, she likes fixing the ship–basically maintenance–which is a job only the men are allowed to do on her crew. And she likes Luck, so they act on that together.
Ava isn’t purposefully defiant, but she just doesn’t fit in the mold everyone around her wants her to. Once she goes to Earth, she has trouble fitting in there as well(as can be expected), but manages to adapt, though she has trouble believing her worth since her crew basically disowned her and tried to kill her. And man, guys, does Ava have it tough some times even AFTER that. Sometimes I just wanted to reach through the book and give her a hug because if anyone deserves it, Ava does. But I love watching Ava come to realize that things she thought about herself just aren’t true, and even though her crew cast her out doesn’t mean she’s worthless. Even the side characters were really well done, and I think Duncan’s strength definitely lies with characterization rather than plotting or world-building.
This review first appeared on Book.Blog.Bake.
From @The Bathtub Reader
I'm on a space kick at the moment - can't get enough of tripping through the stars and shooting off through the void. My dreams are filled with outer space adventures and my desires are to run through hallways of a ship on its way to a far off world. So, when this floated through the free box at work (a box of arcs) I put it on my pile. *I should note though, most of this book takes place on Earth.
At first I was unsure. The reviews for this book aren't so great and the slang used is a silly. Plus, it's first person, present tense. Ugh. It's getting old people! That alone pushed this lower in the stack but it just kept popping up so I gave in. So glad I did. Ava isn't a flamboyant, typical heroine. She's a understated and doesn't take her life into her own hands for maybe 150 pages. Yet, I like her. There is a strength to Ava, an aspiring nature to her that I like. I also found her very easy to relate to.
In fact, all the characters in this are great. Most of them are understated but I wanted to be friends with many of them. Mi is great, Iri is a hero, Luck is dreamy and sweet, Rushil is hot and kind and wonderful...yes, I like the characters. Even the characters you don't like, Llell and Ava's father, etc, are well written and you don't loath them, just dislike them. It's beautiful how Ava is able to sort through emotions and issues without wallowing in hate or allowing herself to become a super villain to avenge herself.
There are a few random faces that pop up and don't mean much but it didn't bother me much. I think if they were cut out the book could have been edited down a hundred or so pages and would have been just as strong...that, or it could have fleshed out the ending, which would have made me happy. Though, it's a long book. It's another one of those 500 page YA novels that doesn't seem very economic in language so fleshing out the ending might have pushed her over the limit. This way there is a bit of room for a follow up novel.
It seems like this is a long novel but not only does it read fast, Ava covers an insane amount of ground. The beginning could have been shortened and her time on the trash island could have been shortened as well but I enjoyed all those moments so I'm fine they weren't.
One think I really loved about this book was that while the love interest is an underlying theme, Ava doesn't focus completely on boys. Some reviewers claim there is a love triangle but not really. She has a couple of boys but you don't get the love triangle feel and being in love doesn't dominate her life or the story. Ava's search and battle for her identity is the primary focus of the novel and I love that she doesn't need a male for it.
Many people will react to the polygamy in space deal but this book doesn't explore that as much as the back implies...or people might wish. I was fine with it because I didn't want to get too deep into that subject. I tend to find it interesting but wasn't really in mood for it while reading this.
While this isn't a brilliant piece of literature, it's a good book and I really enjoyed reading it. It's going on my list of books to order for the library too. Duncan did a great job with this first novel and I'll be watching her work (hopefully she's do more in space, maybe even with Ava or Mi).
I'm on a space kick at the moment - can't get enough of tripping through the stars and shooting off through the void. My dreams are filled with outer space adventures and my desires are to run through hallways of a ship on its way to a far off world. So, when this floated through the free box at work (a box of arcs) I put it on my pile. *I should note though, most of this book takes place on Earth.
At first I was unsure. The reviews for this book aren't so great and the slang used is a silly. Plus, it's first person, present tense. Ugh. It's getting old people! That alone pushed this lower in the stack but it just kept popping up so I gave in. So glad I did. Ava isn't a flamboyant, typical heroine. She's a understated and doesn't take her life into her own hands for maybe 150 pages. Yet, I like her. There is a strength to Ava, an aspiring nature to her that I like. I also found her very easy to relate to.
In fact, all the characters in this are great. Most of them are understated but I wanted to be friends with many of them. Mi is great, Iri is a hero, Luck is dreamy and sweet, Rushil is hot and kind and wonderful...yes, I like the characters. Even the characters you don't like, Llell and Ava's father, etc, are well written and you don't loath them, just dislike them. It's beautiful how Ava is able to sort through emotions and issues without wallowing in hate or allowing herself to become a super villain to avenge herself.
There are a few random faces that pop up and don't mean much but it didn't bother me much. I think if they were cut out the book could have been edited down a hundred or so pages and would have been just as strong...that, or it could have fleshed out the ending, which would have made me happy. Though, it's a long book. It's another one of those 500 page YA novels that doesn't seem very economic in language so fleshing out the ending might have pushed her over the limit. This way there is a bit of room for a follow up novel.
It seems like this is a long novel but not only does it read fast, Ava covers an insane amount of ground. The beginning could have been shortened and her time on the trash island could have been shortened as well but I enjoyed all those moments so I'm fine they weren't.
One think I really loved about this book was that while the love interest is an underlying theme, Ava doesn't focus completely on boys. Some reviewers claim there is a love triangle but not really. She has a couple of boys but you don't get the love triangle feel and being in love doesn't dominate her life or the story. Ava's search and battle for her identity is the primary focus of the novel and I love that she doesn't need a male for it.
Many people will react to the polygamy in space deal but this book doesn't explore that as much as the back implies...or people might wish. I was fine with it because I didn't want to get too deep into that subject. I tend to find it interesting but wasn't really in mood for it while reading this.
While this isn't a brilliant piece of literature, it's a good book and I really enjoyed reading it. It's going on my list of books to order for the library too. Duncan did a great job with this first novel and I'll be watching her work (hopefully she's do more in space, maybe even with Ava or Mi).
Here's a dystopian novel that will really make you think. Ava, a 17-year-old girl, has always known a spaceship as her only home, as it follows a long route in the solar system, trading with others and hearing cautionary tales of the Earth. Life moves on until she falls in love with a handsome young man, a resident of another trading ship. Ava's world is turned upside down, literally, as she manages to escape death by fleeing to the very Earth that has both frightened and fascinated her. Cleverly plotted and with attention to such details as manners of speech, this is a great read for teens and adults alike.
-- Louisa A.
Check it out!
Scottsdale Public Library
-- Louisa A.
Check it out!
Scottsdale Public Library