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revafisheye's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Fast-paced and funny, a la screwball comedies of Hollywood's golden age, The Spare Man is a delightful space romp, though with a few flaws. The world building and character creation are stellar; the disability rep and treatment of PTSD are handled with care and realism. I thought it was an interesting choice to create a future with such enlightened gender consciousness while maintaining a very 20th-century class stratification. The pacing lags a bit in the middle, and a deus ex machina to tie up (most of?) the mystery is a little disappointing. But, all in all, it was a ripping good time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Alcohol
briely's review against another edition
Not invested in the mystery, don’t care for the main character. Mostly very frustrating to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Alcohol
librarybribery's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Chronic illness
Moderate: Murder, Police brutality, and Alcohol
Minor: Ableism and Sexism
There are murders that take place on the spaceship, but not in view and descriptions are mild. The main character suffers from panic attacks and chronic back pain due tocrlpedigo's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Death, and Violence
trips's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This was the most okay-est book I've ever read.
I enjoy the mystery genre and love sci-fi, so I thought a combo of the two would make a for a great read. I appreciated the disability representation in Tesla, and her westie Gimlet was obviously so cute, but I think that's kind of where my genuine praise for the book ends.
The plot was interesting enough to keep reading and the prose is perfectly good, but there really wasn't any point where I was wowed or ultimately, truly intrigued. Like, this is a mystery novel I should at least have a bit of curiosity towards who the true culprit is!
The security on board Tesla's cruise ship to Mars was laughably incompetent to the point of disbelief and Tesla's husband doesn't really have much character imo. It was frustrating how Tesla actively would think "I just want to be normal and not famous and rich" and then use her fame and wealth to get what she wants all throughout the book.
Actually, I think that was my main problem, tl;dr book is fine except Tesla turned into kind of a Karen one too many times for me. Even when she was justified in her outrage, it just didn't hit well. Alas!
I enjoy the mystery genre and love sci-fi, so I thought a combo of the two would make a for a great read. I appreciated the disability representation in Tesla, and her westie Gimlet was obviously so cute, but I think that's kind of where my genuine praise for the book ends.
The plot was interesting enough to keep reading and the prose is perfectly good, but there really wasn't any point where I was wowed or ultimately, truly intrigued. Like, this is a mystery novel I should at least have a bit of curiosity towards who the true culprit is!
The security on board Tesla's cruise ship to Mars was laughably incompetent to the point of disbelief and Tesla's husband doesn't really have much character imo. It was frustrating how Tesla actively would think "I just want to be normal and not famous and rich" and then use her fame and wealth to get what she wants all throughout the book.
Actually, I think that was my main problem, tl;dr book is fine except Tesla turned into kind of a Karen one too many times for me. Even when she was justified in her outrage, it just didn't hit well. Alas!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Alcohol, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Body horror and Violence
Minor: Misogyny and Ableism
bibliomania_express's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
The Spare Man by Mary Robinette Kowal is a murder mystery set aboard a space cruise. When a woman is murdered and Tesla Crane's spouse Shal is arrested, she decides to figure out who the murderer is. This book had so many twists and turns and kept me guessing literally the whole time. The red herrings were well integrated and convincing, and the tangle of secrets perfect for this closed-circle mystery.
I also loved the characters. Tesla is smart and determined, but also struggles with PTSD and chronic pain. There are characters of multiple different ethnicities, and this is a world where gender essentialism is frowned upon and presenting pronouns is common.
Fantine, Tesla's lawyer, is my absolute favourite character. An absolute riot, and her colourful curses added the perfect touch of humour to offset the serious issues like murder, discrimination, ableism, and complete police incompetence. I also loved that Shal is a retired private detective, with some Sherlockian callbacks.
The only reason this book isn't a five star for me is that there was a lot of worldbuilding that needed to happen to make the plot work, and some of that got a bit too tangled and complex for what I want in a cross-genre mystery. There were a couple too many minor characters with dodgy reactions that just aren't explained well
I also loved the characters. Tesla is smart and determined, but also struggles with PTSD and chronic pain. There are characters of multiple different ethnicities, and this is a world where gender essentialism is frowned upon and presenting pronouns is common.
Fantine, Tesla's lawyer, is my absolute favourite character. An absolute riot, and her colourful curses added the perfect touch of humour to offset the serious issues like murder, discrimination, ableism, and complete police incompetence. I also loved that Shal is a retired private detective, with some Sherlockian callbacks.
The only reason this book isn't a five star for me is that there was a lot of worldbuilding that needed to happen to make the plot work, and some of that got a bit too tangled and complex for what I want in a cross-genre mystery. There were a couple too many minor characters with dodgy reactions that just aren't explained well
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Murder, Confinement, Panic attacks/disorders, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Police brutality and Sexism
Minor: Kidnapping
maryellen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Chronic illness, Death, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Confinement, Blood, Police brutality, Alcohol, Gun violence, and Medical content
jwells's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Enjoyable murder mystery set on a space cruise ship. I don't know why other reviewers have characterized this book as fun beach-read fluff, when so much page space is given to graphic description of chronic pain. I appreciated that aspect, actually. Nice to have a depiction of a protagonist with a disability that severely impacts her day to day life, and yet doesn't prevent her from investigating a mystery (much to her attorney's dismay, lol).
Also has the following:
Also has the following:
- Adorable doggo, seriously
- Nonbinary representation
- same sex relationship representation (minor characters)
- cocktail recipes, alcoholic and not, at the start of chapters
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Police brutality and Violence
jeannis's review against another edition
inspiring
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Chronic illness, Medical trauma, Murder, and Panic attacks/disorders
schnaucl's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I really enjoyed this book. I believe it's a standalone, but I would absolutely read more novels with these compelling characters.
Nearly all the characters introduce themselves with their preferred pronouns, and those that don't are considered exceptionally rude. It's both a little jarring and exactly how you hope it will be in the future. It also makes me wonder if readers in the future will find all the books where people don't do that equally jarring. Insults that are gendered are called out in way I don't typically see, or think about.
The books also deals with socioeconomic class and people who are comfortable who grew up with wealth and people who didn't that reminded me of that line Mad Men's Betty Draper says about Don not understanding money.
I'm not a drinker, but I liked the drink recipes that start each chapter, and Gimlet, is of course, a delight.
Definitely read all of the author's notes at the end.
Nearly all the characters introduce themselves with their preferred pronouns, and those that don't are considered exceptionally rude. It's both a little jarring and exactly how you hope it will be in the future. It also makes me wonder if readers in the future will find all the books where people don't do that equally jarring. Insults that are gendered are called out in way I don't typically see, or think about.
The books also deals with socioeconomic class and people who are comfortable who grew up with wealth and people who didn't that reminded me of that line Mad Men's Betty Draper says about Don not understanding money.
I'm not a drinker, but I liked the drink recipes that start each chapter, and Gimlet, is of course, a delight.
Definitely read all of the author's notes at the end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Classism, Death, Police brutality, and Murder