Scan barcode
dilchh's review against another edition
4.0
Was a bit sceptical when I first picked up the book. I was never a fan of science fiction, there was always that small thing that I could not named that made me struggle to enjoy the story. Though this book technically is science fiction, I thought of it more mystery than science fiction for how the story progresses. There was something charming, albeit sometimes frustrating, about our narrator that made so much invested in the book that I could not put it down. I mean, the mystery on what causes the death and how the six teenagers would try to overcome their obstacles also are part of the reasons why I kept on reading the book. But most definitely, it’s the narrator’s that kept me tethered and hooked.
Sure, she can be incredibly frustrating every time she goes on monologues about how she can’t handle the pressure, about which boy she should choose, and how she vehemently try to justify her incompetence to be a leader. Like, I appreciate she is acknowledging her incompetence, but suck it up. For reasons not clearly mentioned, you and your friends thought that you guys should lead the space station now that the adult in gone, so stop going on monologues about your incompetence. The fact no one has challenged your leadership means that to some extent people trust you enough, at least more than themselves. Also, do we really need unnecessary romance in the midst of unknown virus mutation? Short answer is no, but then again we have it anyway. Fortunately, though it did occupy the mind of our narrator a tad bit too much, it was never openly dealt in the story. Thankfully, the author sticks to the mystery of deaths as the centre stage as opposed to adding unnecessary problem in the form of love triangle. Can’t we just have normal friendship?
Alright, ranting aside, I do really like this book. The mystery if unknown virus was dealt magnificently, and it did not disappoint at all. Even when things seem to have gone south over and over again, one thing after another, I did not feel like the circumstances were pushing the bad luck trope hardly. It was acceptable considering where they are and what had happened previously not mentioned when the book first started.
One complain for me was that I felt after such a continuous theme of the unknown virus and how to stop it from spreading, the ending felt a bit rushed. We didn’t even get proper background and explanation as to how things started to spiral that leads to beginning of the book. But, I’ll let it past because I honestly was thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
Sure, she can be incredibly frustrating every time she goes on monologues about how she can’t handle the pressure, about which boy she should choose, and how she vehemently try to justify her incompetence to be a leader. Like, I appreciate she is acknowledging her incompetence, but suck it up. For reasons not clearly mentioned, you and your friends thought that you guys should lead the space station now that the adult in gone, so stop going on monologues about your incompetence. The fact no one has challenged your leadership means that to some extent people trust you enough, at least more than themselves. Also, do we really need unnecessary romance in the midst of unknown virus mutation? Short answer is no, but then again we have it anyway. Fortunately, though it did occupy the mind of our narrator a tad bit too much, it was never openly dealt in the story. Thankfully, the author sticks to the mystery of deaths as the centre stage as opposed to adding unnecessary problem in the form of love triangle. Can’t we just have normal friendship?
Alright, ranting aside, I do really like this book. The mystery if unknown virus was dealt magnificently, and it did not disappoint at all. Even when things seem to have gone south over and over again, one thing after another, I did not feel like the circumstances were pushing the bad luck trope hardly. It was acceptable considering where they are and what had happened previously not mentioned when the book first started.
One complain for me was that I felt after such a continuous theme of the unknown virus and how to stop it from spreading, the ending felt a bit rushed. We didn’t even get proper background and explanation as to how things started to spiral that leads to beginning of the book. But, I’ll let it past because I honestly was thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
4.0
This was one of those reads where I was somehow disappointed that it was a buddy read. I wanted to read on and on and on. I didn't want to stop after just 70 pages, especially as the story continued and we got deeper and deeper into it. So, today I just ditched the whole buddy reading thing and decided to read all the way through the end.
Let me start with telling you that I think that it's not a really strong book when it comes to a whodunnit. The pay off in the end was a little underwhelming for that and the pieces of the puzzle are a little hard to find and see. So, if you're reading this for the mystery and for solving it, maybe this is not your book.
However, if you are like me and are much more interested in characters, their emotions and how they deal with situations that go way above their heads, this is a perfect book for you. The ending feels a little rushed on this department, but the entire road and book are a wonderful insight into the thought process and coping mechanisms of a young teenage girl with the weight of the world on her shoulders.
The emotions are very well written and come across perfectly. The writing style has a lot to do with that. At times the writing style feels a little chaotic, but it fits the story and the character. It really feels like we're in her mind, rushing from one thought to another. It's very fast paced, but therefore it constantly keeps you alert and interested and intrigued. It also makes her very realistic and vivid. She's so many things and we all get to see and experience them.
I really enjoyed this read a lot and I can't wait for the online chat with Kayla Olson about it!
Let me start with telling you that I think that it's not a really strong book when it comes to a whodunnit. The pay off in the end was a little underwhelming for that and the pieces of the puzzle are a little hard to find and see. So, if you're reading this for the mystery and for solving it, maybe this is not your book.
However, if you are like me and are much more interested in characters, their emotions and how they deal with situations that go way above their heads, this is a perfect book for you. The ending feels a little rushed on this department, but the entire road and book are a wonderful insight into the thought process and coping mechanisms of a young teenage girl with the weight of the world on her shoulders.
The emotions are very well written and come across perfectly. The writing style has a lot to do with that. At times the writing style feels a little chaotic, but it fits the story and the character. It really feels like we're in her mind, rushing from one thought to another. It's very fast paced, but therefore it constantly keeps you alert and interested and intrigued. It also makes her very realistic and vivid. She's so many things and we all get to see and experience them.
I really enjoyed this read a lot and I can't wait for the online chat with Kayla Olson about it!
comicsaint's review against another edition
4.0
Why add in an unnecessary love triangle only to not actually resolve it?! Otherwise incredible
kchaplin's review against another edition
3.0
*3.5 stars*
My heart is still pounding.
When Lindley steps up to take command of the remaining survivors on her ship after an extremely contagious virus wipes out the adults, I couldn't help but be proud. Score one for teenagers.
It was quite an interesting ride, trying to guess what was happening (and trust me, there is a LOT happening), I can't even begin to understand how these tough teens pulled it off. And, I think that's part of the problem I had with this book, that everything that transpired wasn't as believable as I would have liked.
However, it was still a page-turner. Beyond entertaining. And, I couldn't applaud Lindley enough.
My heart is still pounding.
When Lindley steps up to take command of the remaining survivors on her ship after an extremely contagious virus wipes out the adults, I couldn't help but be proud. Score one for teenagers.
It was quite an interesting ride, trying to guess what was happening (and trust me, there is a LOT happening), I can't even begin to understand how these tough teens pulled it off. And, I think that's part of the problem I had with this book, that everything that transpired wasn't as believable as I would have liked.
However, it was still a page-turner. Beyond entertaining. And, I couldn't applaud Lindley enough.
alongreader's review against another edition
3.0
I can't say exactly why this book didn't grip me. Some combination of 'it's kind of shallow, nothing really seemed to impact anything' and 'if I hadn't read the blurb I'd have no idea what was happening for at least the first 15% of the story'. The characters didn't stand out - near the end I was still trying to remember who was who. Not an awful book, interesting enough, but not amazing either, sadly.
Receiving an ARC did not affect my review in any way.
Receiving an ARC did not affect my review in any way.
zu_reviews's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this!!! It's not often I find a YA Sci-fi novel that so perfectly captures its setting. This was riveting, everything I wanted in a sci-fi, everything I wanted in a thriller... it hits you with punch after punch but it's believable and interesting. And it keeps going until the very end. My only qualm is that it wraps up so quickly what was an intense page-turning dury that it feels abrupt. One page I'm thinking this is going to be a Biology because so much is happening and not much is left. Next it's over. However it was still satisfying and I'm looking forward to whatever Olson does in the future!
felixmarauder's review against another edition
5.0
This was the first book in a while that I've picked up and not wanted to put back down! It was a very quick read (finished about 75% in 3 hrs on an overnight shift at work), with enough suspense and disaster to keep me flipping the page constantly wondering what was coming next. The main character, Lindley, got a bit annoying by the end with her constant "I'm not as good as my mom at this job I was just thrust into" but I could forgive her because I wouldn't have been much better at 16 either. Definitely worth a read and I'm glad I grabbed it off my shelf!
samreads_alot's review against another edition
2.0
I’ve seen the by good reviews and the bad, tried to see both perspectives and see if I was being too critical.
I LOVED sandcastle empire, like it was one of my fav reads last year! And I didn’t think any of the things I thought with this book. If you were to tell me this was her first book, I’d be like okay she’s gotten better then. But no th is is her most recent book.. honey what happened?
I love space stories but this one took a turn That made it fall flat for me,at be because there wasn’t enough build up to it and it feel more like a let down.
The main character talked waayyyy too much and asked so many dang questions! I mean so many rhetorical questions I just couldn’t anymore.
There was a reviewer who said they appreciated the Mc POV and that it was different from other books in the genre and seeing her struggle and endurance....
I mean maybe but I was really hoping for more of an action packed book like sandcastle empire but set in space and this wasn’t it. DNF halfway through.
I will most definitely read mire from Olsen if she writes again and I really hope sandcastle empire becomes a movie/show!!
daniella84's review against another edition
3.0
At the beginning I was really interested by the premise, but sadly went downhill from there.
It got pretty repetitive, and there was lots of monologuing from the protagonist about the same sorts of things which kind of lowered the tension. It also did that thing that I don't like in YA mystery where I feel if I read this again there still wouldn't really be clues I could follow to help me pick the killer; it just came out of nowhere for shock value. Romance was also unnecessary but also not super overwhelming which was nice.
Overall some interesting themes about morality and responsibility but sadly fell victim to the genre :(
It got pretty repetitive, and there was lots of monologuing from the protagonist about the same sorts of things which kind of lowered the tension. It also did that thing that I don't like in YA mystery where I feel if I read this again there still wouldn't really be clues I could follow to help me pick the killer; it just came out of nowhere for shock value. Romance was also unnecessary but also not super overwhelming which was nice.
Overall some interesting themes about morality and responsibility but sadly fell victim to the genre :(
aivao's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0