Reviews

The Imposition of Unnecessary Obstacles by Malka Ann Older

schnaucl's review

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? Yes

4.5

I'm not really sure why this book worked so much better for me than the first one in the series, but it did, and I'm looking forward to the next one.   I like the characters, and the setting.  

I also liked the slow reestablishment of the relationship between the main characters.  They've clearly grown since last time they were together, and they're trying to be more considerate of each other.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Classism

Minor: Death, Lesbophobia, and Murder

barefootsong's review

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

username999's review

adventurous 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? Yes

4.0

I didn't love this as much as the first book as the pace was a tad slower and some things could've been cut out, which is a weird thing to say about a novella, but I still really enjoyed this though and will keep reading on in the series.

thebooktender's review

adventurous emotional mysterious fast-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? No

5.0

kalanadi's review

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

4.0

ajira's review

Look, I am SO happy to be back in the #MossaPleitiVerse! I was chuffed to make another moodboard to share those feelings too (see my booksta - @booksandbreath)  because the experience of reading this book was just as visceral as the last one. I could easily imagine myself right there on the scene, living on Giant, rolling my eyes at the bureaucrats and getting into hours long debates about whether it made sense to try and return to Earth or not. And the food?! Don’t get me started on the food because Mossa and Pleiti are eating well and it felt so familiar to be in that kind of loving relationship with nourishment. 

So, Mossa’s back at the University investigating a missing person(s) case and this time straight up invites Pleiti to help (which I loved) and the way they work together and take care of each other? Ugh, it just made my heart happy. 

So the story is there’s some stuff going on, Mossa and Pleiti figure it out and along the way figure out some things about themselves and each other as well. We get to learn a little more about Mossa’s upbringing which offers some insight into who she is now. Okay, it’s hard work talking about this without giving you spoilers so can you read it already so we can talk about it??!

I loved the wordiness of this story (words make me happy) and the way that multiple Earth cultures were incorporated through language and food and customs, in a way that seemed unassuming and natural. I can imagine a future like that, especially as we already have that (even if it’s often unacknowledged or overlooked). I also really enjoyed the interplay between how people are and how their societies wind up, good or bad. Our assumptions about hierarchy, knowledge and ‘rules’ are definitely worth examining, repeatedly. Lol.

Also, the title of this book? YES!  

Thank you B2Weird Book Club, Tor Publishing and NetGalley for the gifted copy of this delightful book. All opinions are my own. 

5erinnicole's review

adventurous funny hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

antifuchs's review

adventurous emotional hopeful tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

fairybookaholic's review

adventurous lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

laurentined's review

adventurous lighthearted mysterious 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? No

3.0

Like the first book, it's alright, just a bit middling. It's takes a while to really get itself on track as to what the actual mystery is so it tends to drag, though the short chapter help it go quickly.  
The sci fi Sherlock and Watson should be endearing but both characters are a pretty thin caricature. The writing style seems like it's meant to be academic but there isn't a great sense of personality in it so it just winds up feeling clunky instead. 
I'm here out of loyalty to a sapphic series though.