A interesting short book about a small Native American Community adapting to the end of the world. I would recommend this to reActual Rating 3.5 Stars
A interesting short book about a small Native American Community adapting to the end of the world. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy post apocalyptic character driven stores. The characters were compelling but the plot moved too slow at times. The community described resiliently faced any challenges head on and used their past experiences of being without, as an asset to survive the future. ...more
A great read with memorable characters and a fast moving plot. I also appreciated the wondersful representation of black culture in this fantasy. The A great read with memorable characters and a fast moving plot. I also appreciated the wondersful representation of black culture in this fantasy. The parallels of racism and intolerance that we see in our society was highlighted throughout this world of magic and betrayal. I really enjoyed this and I'm looking forward to the sequel....more
A interesting premise that never got off the ground for me. I am DNFing after listening to 44% of the book. I wanted more character development and leA interesting premise that never got off the ground for me. I am DNFing after listening to 44% of the book. I wanted more character development and less of long descriptions of cave climbing. So despite the great synopsis and reviews, I was disappointed....more
This was a engaging and satirical look into how The Atmospherian's Cult was created and run by Sasha and Dylan. Sasha finds herself Actual Rating 3.5
This was a engaging and satirical look into how The Atmospherian's Cult was created and run by Sasha and Dylan. Sasha finds herself leading a cult while struggling to come to terms with her life and those who have abandoned her. Men in this near future are running amok and in clear need of guidance and help, this cult offers them a way toward redemption. Sasha and Dylan are best friends who love each other out of mutual feelings of guilt. The book makes some funny and poignant commentary on society's obsessions that I really enjoyed.
The downfalls of this book have to do with pacing and length. Sone chapters could have bee skipped entirely without changing and plot points. The character development was done well however so I felt myself invested in what happens. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy interesting ideas and ruminations on how society works. While this is about a cult that is secondary to Sasha and Dylan's friendship and Sasha's inner turmoil. Trigger Warning for eating disorders and suicide. ...more
This was a non-linear, sci-fi, war is hell roller coaster which I loved. Dietz is a guy who joins the Corps (military) to becomWOW Actual Rating 4.5
This was a non-linear, sci-fi, war is hell roller coaster which I loved. Dietz is a guy who joins the Corps (military) to become a hero. He quickly learns after being brain washed and turned into a killer that what he wants will clearly not be accomplished through the Corps. The Light Brigade is the group of soldiers that experience a different war then everyone else, because the light they use to instantaneous travel places affects them differently. Dietz makes friends and tries his best to keep his sanity while the world around him is constantly changing. The character building and suspense surrounding what this war really was kept me reading and enjoying this the whole way through.
"That's how we create reality. We agree on it's rules. Its shape. Different cultures have created different realities just by all agreeing about the thing they described."
The phenomenal writing and believable sci-fi were a refreshing way to read a well thought out story, about how we form our beliefs. Who's right and who's wrong, is never really seen as a point of view until you think a little harder about it. There's lots of political commentary and social critique, and none of it seemed out of place or unimportant. It's also another book that makes you look at the horror of war, and how we can disgustingly fall in love with the idea that its actually a solution instead of a cancer.
""Wars are for old people. For rich people. For people protected by the perpetuation of horrors on others."
This book is for readers who enjoy a good story, full of violence, hope, and following orders. I loved it, and know most readers will too. The only reason it's not 5 stars, is there are a few chapters I felt the pacing was off, but this is a minor criticism. Trigger Warning, for gory violence against, women, men and children....more
This was a very weird and interesting book about surviving grief and change. In this world a new entity/alien is labeled the Seep and has come to helpThis was a very weird and interesting book about surviving grief and change. In this world a new entity/alien is labeled the Seep and has come to help the human race take care of themselves and pursue their own happiness. The Seem brings on a utopia, where resources are free and immortality is available for everyone.
Trina is a trans protagonists who has to live without her wife Deeba, who decides she wants to become a baby and begin life again, which is now possible thanks to the Seep. If that isn't weird enough people are now able to modify themselves to look like any animal or human they want. As Trina adjusts to life without Deeba, she struggles with making sure that she is still able to execute her free will.
If you enjoy weird science fiction with existential themes this book is definitely for you....more
This is story within a story with a fictional time traveling book exploring race and power. City is a wonderful protagonist who is still trying to makThis is story within a story with a fictional time traveling book exploring race and power. City is a wonderful protagonist who is still trying to make sense of the being black, from Mississippi and puberty. The tale begins as City competes in a competition where he must use a work correctly in a sentence. While preparing for the contest he ruminates on race, people calling him gay and the weight of the pressure on him. His humor and wit used while discussing racism, kept me interested to see what happens next.
"When you and everyone you like and everyone who really likes you is treated like a pitiful n--r, or like a disposable n--r, or like a terrorizing n--r, over and over again, in your own home, in your own state, in your own country, and the folks who treat you like a n--r are pretty much left alone, of course you start having fantasies about doing whatever you can-not just to get back at white folks, and not just to stop the pain, but to do something that I didn't understand yet,"
Toward the middle of the book the story changes and you flip it around to be read the opposite way. While City is still the protagonist, it's him from a different time. Intermingled with the narrator shift is the slow reveal about what the Long Division book may be and how the characters may be apart of it.
I was entertained by this book but it ultimately fell flat. The scope of what the book explored was far too big for the size of this book. Things were rushed and half explained, and it could have been so much more gripping and relevant if things were explained more. The writing was phenomenal. I just wished the plot and sci-fi could match it. If you enjoy character driven sci-fi, where the author challenges you to fill in the blanks, definitely give it a shot....more
Just not feeling it, only listened to two hours of this on audio, before I decided not to continue. Solid writing and interesting characters, I just cJust not feeling it, only listened to two hours of this on audio, before I decided not to continue. Solid writing and interesting characters, I just couldn't connect with the story. May listen again when im in the mood for a contemporary thriller....more
A great premise that fails to thrill for most of the book. Sydney and Theo are drawn to each other while Sydney sets out to learn more about the histoA great premise that fails to thrill for most of the book. Sydney and Theo are drawn to each other while Sydney sets out to learn more about the history of her neighborhood. The racially charged situations throughout the book came off as unauthentic and through off the flow of the book at times.
I took a while to listen to this on audio because the character development wasn't great outside of the two protagonist. I appreciated that this was a different approach to a thriller. The use of real history to reinforce how much harm is still being done to black communities was great. Good story elements but ultimately needed more character development and suspense....more
Actual Rating 3.5stars Content Warning: Graphic Descriptions of Torture and a Severely Injured Person
This is a short emotional book that packs a lot of punch. The story is told from a unnamed narrator's perspective who is watching over Eden's family after Eden is injured. Eden lays severely injured and unable to move in the hospital, while his wife Mary refuses to let him pass on. The narrator explains Mary's and Eden's relationship leading up to the present. He suggests that you should know Mary's story before you judge her decisions.
Eden is described as a likeable guy who has been forever changed by war but finds it preferable to family life. The characters lives are interwoven and well developed as unique but flawed personalities. The reality Eden faces after his injury is brutal and the author holds no punches immersing you into that experience. There are descriptions of gore included that have stuck with me.
I paused many times while listening flooded with existential questions. It's a slow burn which leads to twists I didn't expect. This character driven novel used a number of scenes in Mary and Eden's past to explain their relationship. However the plot itself was slow moving. Despite wanting more to happen, I was engaged and invested in these characters. The narrator kept the intrigue going and I was emotionally moved by this tragic story.
Recommended for Readers who - enjoy character driven novels - don't mind extensive descriptions of life after a severe injury - enjoy philosophical musings with a dash of fantasy...more
Tori (InToriLex)
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Books:
adult-fiction
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