A review by mikarala
The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal

emotional funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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

I really enjoyed this alternative history take on how the age of space exploration could begin differently if the motivation wasn't simply a competition between the USA and Soviet Union, but a race to save humanity. I found Elma to be an enjoyable main character overall. Given the concept, she is justifiably extraordinary, but she wasn't frustratingly perfect...most of the time. Elma grapples with grief and her own insecurities throughout the story in a way that made her much more relatable and likable.

Overall I found the prose serviceable and I breezed through this story quite quickly. It did a good job of keeping my attention. I do think it ended a bit ubruptly, though.