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mellhay's review
4.0
This book starts like the previous ends, and my kind of story. Action and danger at each decision. I believe the girls would be in trouble is Sigrid doesn't act, yet it was her action that could bring danger to their doorstep and gives Sigrid the reason to correct what was started. There are slower times as they plan to protect New Alcyone by finding those after them. But I felt this was attracting due to the setting up of the people in positions and clues to where they are going and what they will look for. This book kept that feel throughout the story, adding more weight and backing to who Sigrid is after, and why.
****FULL REVIEW****
*I requested a copy of this audiobook from the narrator, author, or publisher for an honest review.
Sigrid, Lady Hitomi and all the girls have a price on their heads. But they need supplies badly in order to continue building their new home and survive. Sigrid is sent to acquire these, and ends up taking a job for supplies that are beyond valuable to them now, to learn that she was tricked. Now, the coordinates to New Alcyone is in the hands of another looking to make some serious cash. The deception opens up the possibilities of trouble for the girls. There are others hunting the girls of Alcyone, and have their own projects in process. And Sigrid is determined to keep them all safe, at any cost.
Dr. Farrington is determined to continue researching what Lady Hitomi Kimura has done with the girls. He's determined to do more than she did. Running to Bellatrix, he finds there are others here with their own facility, and working on what he wants to do.
Kristin is a favorite voice of mine. She does many different tones, accents, and emotions in her voices as we listen to the story. All these differences present help differentiate characters for me, and makes them more individual and personalized. As always, Kristin's voice is crystal clear in speaking and no background noise as well as seamless in flow. A pleasure to listen to.
This book starts like the previous ends, and my kind of story. Action and danger at each decision. I believe the girls would be in trouble if Sigrid doesn't act, yet it was her action that could bring danger to their doorstep and gives Sigrid the reason to correct what was started. There are slower times as they plan to protect New Alcyone by finding those after them. But I felt this was attracting due to the setting up of the people in positions and clues to where they are going and what they will look for. This book kept that feel throughout the story, adding more weight and backing to who Sigrid is after, and why.
We learn there is new research being done, and these prototypes might be more dangerous. The things these doctors are doing! They are just mad! But it's the next logical step in what they started to create with Alcyone. Scary.
This book feels more adult to me than the first book as well. The first book was them growing up and training, this is Sigrid and the first set of girls as they fight to survive. There are intimate moments with Sigrid and Suko. The private moments are rather detailed, so definitely adult content. These two ladies have a solid relationship and we see the romance between them through the book. Suko flirts more than Sigrid in stressful moments, but it helps them and us get through the serious moments and reminds that there is love there.
We do get addition POV's with Sigrid. In doing so we learn different directions and plans of others, slowly they come to light as we go through the book, all coming together. I feel there is more story and drive in this book where in the first book we got more of the girls growing up and training, which felt slow to me.
The ending... Oh my! Sigrid... Wow. I can't tell you but it takes the story to a new direction and makes me worry. What has happened? Oh, we were lead to this by everything in this book pointing to here, but it's still a shocker when we get there.
I was engrossed in this story the whole time. For me, this book was better than the first and I'm pleased I continued with the series. Where Sigrid is now... oh I am soooo looking forward to the next book!
****FULL REVIEW****
*I requested a copy of this audiobook from the narrator, author, or publisher for an honest review.
Sigrid, Lady Hitomi and all the girls have a price on their heads. But they need supplies badly in order to continue building their new home and survive. Sigrid is sent to acquire these, and ends up taking a job for supplies that are beyond valuable to them now, to learn that she was tricked. Now, the coordinates to New Alcyone is in the hands of another looking to make some serious cash. The deception opens up the possibilities of trouble for the girls. There are others hunting the girls of Alcyone, and have their own projects in process. And Sigrid is determined to keep them all safe, at any cost.
Dr. Farrington is determined to continue researching what Lady Hitomi Kimura has done with the girls. He's determined to do more than she did. Running to Bellatrix, he finds there are others here with their own facility, and working on what he wants to do.
Kristin is a favorite voice of mine. She does many different tones, accents, and emotions in her voices as we listen to the story. All these differences present help differentiate characters for me, and makes them more individual and personalized. As always, Kristin's voice is crystal clear in speaking and no background noise as well as seamless in flow. A pleasure to listen to.
This book starts like the previous ends, and my kind of story. Action and danger at each decision. I believe the girls would be in trouble if Sigrid doesn't act, yet it was her action that could bring danger to their doorstep and gives Sigrid the reason to correct what was started. There are slower times as they plan to protect New Alcyone by finding those after them. But I felt this was attracting due to the setting up of the people in positions and clues to where they are going and what they will look for. This book kept that feel throughout the story, adding more weight and backing to who Sigrid is after, and why.
We learn there is new research being done, and these prototypes might be more dangerous. The things these doctors are doing! They are just mad! But it's the next logical step in what they started to create with Alcyone. Scary.
This book feels more adult to me than the first book as well. The first book was them growing up and training, this is Sigrid and the first set of girls as they fight to survive. There are intimate moments with Sigrid and Suko. The private moments are rather detailed, so definitely adult content. These two ladies have a solid relationship and we see the romance between them through the book. Suko flirts more than Sigrid in stressful moments, but it helps them and us get through the serious moments and reminds that there is love there.
We do get addition POV's with Sigrid. In doing so we learn different directions and plans of others, slowly they come to light as we go through the book, all coming together. I feel there is more story and drive in this book where in the first book we got more of the girls growing up and training, which felt slow to me.
The ending... Oh my! Sigrid... Wow. I can't tell you but it takes the story to a new direction and makes me worry. What has happened? Oh, we were lead to this by everything in this book pointing to here, but it's still a shocker when we get there.
I was engrossed in this story the whole time. For me, this book was better than the first and I'm pleased I continued with the series. Where Sigrid is now... oh I am soooo looking forward to the next book!
scopique's review
4.0
It was a long time since I read The Girls From Alcyone, so I had to piece together the memories of that one while reading this one.
Overall, I enjoyed it.
Overall, I enjoyed it.
gigingina's review
adventurous
dark
tense
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? No
5.0
roxanamalinachirila's review
3.0
"The Machines of Bellatrix" is an action-packed story about technologically-enhanced young women fighting across the galaxy to protect their new home and themselves from the evil grasp of galactic corporations.
It's also the sequel to "The Girls from Alcyone", which I enjoyed at the time, even if it took me a couple of years to get around to the next in the series.
It's fun, it's action-packed, and if what you're looking for is an absolutely ridiculous amount of guns and high-tech fighting done by seemingly frail young women who just happen to be dating each other, this will definitely be perfect for you. On a closer look, though, the world created is pretty simple and the characters have little time for development. But that leaves it as a fun, light, action-y plot about kicking ass in space and getting oneself in trouble, which, to my mind, is not bad at all. (Except for the cliffhanger at the end, which was kind of a bummer.)
It's also the sequel to "The Girls from Alcyone", which I enjoyed at the time, even if it took me a couple of years to get around to the next in the series.
It's fun, it's action-packed, and if what you're looking for is an absolutely ridiculous amount of guns and high-tech fighting done by seemingly frail young women who just happen to be dating each other, this will definitely be perfect for you. On a closer look, though, the world created is pretty simple and the characters have little time for development. But that leaves it as a fun, light, action-y plot about kicking ass in space and getting oneself in trouble, which, to my mind, is not bad at all. (Except for the cliffhanger at the end, which was kind of a bummer.)
colls's review
3.0
This didn’t seem like a complete story and ended with a cliffhanger. 3 stars because badass-space-lesbians but annoyed that this felt incomplete.
marie_thereadingotter's review
2.0
I disliked this book so much, I'm not even going to put the review on my blog. This book was rather sloppy. The story didn't flow as well. Nor was it as interesting and engaging as the first book. The battle scenes were tedious to read, and I could get no clear picture as to what was happening. Then not to mention the ending was just terrible. On his website it looks as if he is writing a third book, but at the end of this book it states 'The End', So I really don't know what to expect, and I don't even know if I'd want to read another book from this series from the way this book was written, I am not really sure what to expect if there is a third book. If not then the author should have just made one stand alone book instead of a good first book and a sloppy disorganized sequel.
frankvanmeer's review
4.0
Let me get this out of the way first:
Fuck cliffhangers. I know you want your readers to buy the next book. But leaving me with so many things unsolved for god knows how long, that's just bad writing, in my opinion. Minor plots left open, I don't mind, but this one was so major, the author better makes sure he has a very good explanation for the next book. (waves pitchfork)
Now, the fact that I was so angry, is actually a testament to how much I liked this book. It's a non stop action rollercoaster, with Sigrid and her sisters wreaking havoc everywhere they go. Thousands of people die, entire complexes blown to smithereens. The girls go above and beyond, trying to save New Alcyone. And, props to the author, even though they are stronger than everything else, they screw up too. I think that was a good thing, because it's too easy to go all out and emerge unscathed, just because they can. The girls are very vulnerable, and that brings out a nice balance to all the sci-fi technology saving the day. This book is quite the page turner, albeit a bit short.
But, there's flaws too.
I am a sucker for books that have "little engines that could" characters. A Sigrid Novak. A NM-DEV-1. Characters that no one would think twice about, but step up to the challenge and rise above all expectations, and become pivotal to succes in whatever is thrown at them. But the problem with this, especially in series, is that there is a risk that the character development is in danger to take a backseat in the story. It's too easy to let the main character become all too powerfull, or just take over the place, the situation or whatever they're doing, just because you want an action story.
And I think that is what exactly happened here. The shy, timid, average Sigrid takes the lead here, no questions asked. Suddenly she is the leader. Agreed, this scenario happened also in The Girls from Alcyone, but there it was spread out over 10 years. Several times it is mentioned, in both books, they've picked her because she is special. But there is never an explanation as to why that is. Sure, she kills and maims without hesitation, but so do the other girls. Yet she is more special. Dr. Garett shows Hitami a read out that points out something, saying Sigrid is changing, but no explanation for what exactly is changing .
The growth from shy Sigrid to leader Sigrid was a bit too fast, in my opinion. It happened in a span of weeks. Yet she screws up more than the previous book. Why is that? There is so much action here, there wasn't any room for further exploration into who and what Sigrid exacly is and why she is the chosen one. The book would have been much better with that, I think. But if you don't care about that, and just want action and then some, this book is a blast.
Another point that nagged me was the abundance of tech. No matter what the situation is, the girls carry it. They throw bombs and grenades like there is an infinte supply. Same with the combat ships: they can fire millions of several types of rounds, but seriously, where do they store it? (although props up for never using laserbeams. Physical rounds in space are so much better, no crap with shields absorbing and such. Nothing beats a piece of metal going half the speed of light, imho)
So, as an action book, definitly 5 stars. As a characterdriven book, 3 stars.
But fuck that cliffhanger.
Fuck cliffhangers. I know you want your readers to buy the next book. But leaving me with so many things unsolved for god knows how long, that's just bad writing, in my opinion. Minor plots left open, I don't mind, but this one was so major, the author better makes sure he has a very good explanation for the next book. (waves pitchfork)
Now, the fact that I was so angry, is actually a testament to how much I liked this book. It's a non stop action rollercoaster, with Sigrid and her sisters wreaking havoc everywhere they go. Thousands of people die, entire complexes blown to smithereens. The girls go above and beyond, trying to save New Alcyone. And, props to the author, even though they are stronger than everything else, they screw up too. I think that was a good thing, because it's too easy to go all out and emerge unscathed, just because they can. The girls are very vulnerable, and that brings out a nice balance to all the sci-fi technology saving the day. This book is quite the page turner, albeit a bit short.
But, there's flaws too.
I am a sucker for books that have "little engines that could" characters. A Sigrid Novak. A NM-DEV-1. Characters that no one would think twice about, but step up to the challenge and rise above all expectations, and become pivotal to succes in whatever is thrown at them. But the problem with this, especially in series, is that there is a risk that the character development is in danger to take a backseat in the story. It's too easy to let the main character become all too powerfull, or just take over the place, the situation or whatever they're doing, just because you want an action story.
And I think that is what exactly happened here. The shy, timid, average Sigrid takes the lead here, no questions asked. Suddenly she is the leader. Agreed, this scenario happened also in The Girls from Alcyone, but there it was spread out over 10 years. Several times it is mentioned, in both books, they've picked her because she is special. But there is never an explanation as to why that is. Sure, she kills and maims without hesitation, but so do the other girls. Yet she is more special.
The growth from shy Sigrid to leader Sigrid was a bit too fast, in my opinion. It happened in a span of weeks. Yet she screws up more than the previous book. Why is that? There is so much action here, there wasn't any room for further exploration into who and what Sigrid exacly is and why she is the chosen one. The book would have been much better with that, I think. But if you don't care about that, and just want action and then some, this book is a blast.
Another point that nagged me was the abundance of tech. No matter what the situation is, the girls carry it. They throw bombs and grenades like there is an infinte supply. Same with the combat ships: they can fire millions of several types of rounds, but seriously, where do they store it? (although props up for never using laserbeams. Physical rounds in space are so much better, no crap with shields absorbing and such. Nothing beats a piece of metal going half the speed of light, imho)
So, as an action book, definitly 5 stars. As a characterdriven book, 3 stars.
But fuck that cliffhanger.
selyn's review
4.0
Solid dystopian science-fiction with eye-candy and superhero-moments. Not the pinnacle of reading-pleasure, but good for the occasional literary nosh. I don't know if I can hold back on reading the last book of the series. That says something, doesn't it?
inlibrisveritas's review
4.0
The Machines of Bellatrix is book two in the Girls from Alcyone series, and picks up some time after the first book ends. Sigrid and the other girls have a new home, but find that they are still in danger and Sigrid is tired of having to run.
This book is just as fast paced as the first book, and we find ourselves in a lot of conflict in this one. Sigrid has taken up more of a leadership role and takes her position seriously, often putting herself in the line of fire to help protect the girls. The resulting conflicts and fights were pretty freaking amazing. We see a few new places and get some really great world building in the process. I really like the scope of the universe in these books, because while it is growing it doesn’t feel like and over abundance of knowledge all at once. Then of course there is the new threat that has popped up, and it gets crazy intense especially towards the second half of the book. And holy cliffhanger batman! The way this one ended had me reeling!
Sigrid and Suko still remain my favorite part of this series. I love space travel and exploring new worlds with cool tech, but these two top all of that. Their relationship is one that really provides light in some really dark situations for both women, and I loved that they have such a strong bond even with all the outside issues.
Kristen James does a fantastic job as always in her narration, with a wide array of voices and perfect pacing. I love listening to all of her different works because she really knows how to give individual and unique voices to characters and not have it feel recycled from one series to the next. Not to mention her consistency in the voices despite there being so many.
I’m moving at a snail’s pace this year with my reading due to stress and being busy, but I’m really looking forward to listening to Night Witch as soon as I can.
This book is just as fast paced as the first book, and we find ourselves in a lot of conflict in this one. Sigrid has taken up more of a leadership role and takes her position seriously, often putting herself in the line of fire to help protect the girls. The resulting conflicts and fights were pretty freaking amazing. We see a few new places and get some really great world building in the process. I really like the scope of the universe in these books, because while it is growing it doesn’t feel like and over abundance of knowledge all at once. Then of course there is the new threat that has popped up, and it gets crazy intense especially towards the second half of the book. And holy cliffhanger batman! The way this one ended had me reeling!
Sigrid and Suko still remain my favorite part of this series. I love space travel and exploring new worlds with cool tech, but these two top all of that. Their relationship is one that really provides light in some really dark situations for both women, and I loved that they have such a strong bond even with all the outside issues.
Kristen James does a fantastic job as always in her narration, with a wide array of voices and perfect pacing. I love listening to all of her different works because she really knows how to give individual and unique voices to characters and not have it feel recycled from one series to the next. Not to mention her consistency in the voices despite there being so many.
I’m moving at a snail’s pace this year with my reading due to stress and being busy, but I’m really looking forward to listening to Night Witch as soon as I can.
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