"Starter Villain" is a delightfully odd story. I loved the main character, and Wil Wheaton did an excellent job with him in the audiobook. The reveals"Starter Villain" is a delightfully odd story. I loved the main character, and Wil Wheaton did an excellent job with him in the audiobook. The reveals were always highly entertaining. I will, of course, continue to read this author. He's always entertaining....more
"How to Fall in Love in a Time of Unnameable Disaster" is a strange, well-written book about grief and love in apocalyptic New York. I found the book "How to Fall in Love in a Time of Unnameable Disaster" is a strange, well-written book about grief and love in apocalyptic New York. I found the book very compelling but also incredibly odd. The plot and structure were unique, and the characters created a visceral sense of melancholy.
Thank you to the publisher for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review....more
"Stellar" was a bit all over the place and could have used more character/world building. Without solid background, the story lacks impact. The fight "Stellar" was a bit all over the place and could have used more character/world building. Without solid background, the story lacks impact. The fight scenes were good, and I liked the settings....more
"Convergence Problems" is an excellent collection of afrofuturistic short stories. Talabi is incredibly talented and writes beautifully. I didn't love"Convergence Problems" is an excellent collection of afrofuturistic short stories. Talabi is incredibly talented and writes beautifully. I didn't love everything in here, but I really enjoyed the majority of the stories. I'll definitely be looking for more from this author....more
"In Our Stars" was a delightful start to a time travel/first contact sci-fi series. I liked the characters, and the plot was really interesting. The e"In Our Stars" was a delightful start to a time travel/first contact sci-fi series. I liked the characters, and the plot was really interesting. The ending seemed abrupt, but I'm glad it didn't end in an agonizing cliffhanger. I can't wait to see what book two has in store.
Thank you to NetGalley and Recorded Books for a free audiobook in exchange for an honest review....more
This book right here is exactly what I want from a sequel. Perfection.
Johnson has built a truly spectacular world in these books that looks nothing lThis book right here is exactly what I want from a sequel. Perfection.
Johnson has built a truly spectacular world in these books that looks nothing like our world, but reflects it perfectly. In "Those Beyond the Wall," she hits the topics of justice and elitism hard, and she embodies and lays bare the anger that so many have felt at the injustice we've seen paraded in front of us for the last several years (honestly, forever). Reading this book, and writing it I imagine, was a cathartic experience.
It's Hawkeye, so of course I was going to pick it up. I liked the idea and the plot, and I always love Kate Bishop. Ashley Poston did a pretty good joIt's Hawkeye, so of course I was going to pick it up. I liked the idea and the plot, and I always love Kate Bishop. Ashley Poston did a pretty good job of capturing her humor and sassiness. This book is aimed at young readers, so it wasn't as intense as the Hawkeye stories I usually love. The characters weren't complex, but the story was still a fun adventure....more
Tillie Walden's stories and art are whimsical and touching. Characters are her focus, so this book doesn't have as much sci-fi as I typically like in Tillie Walden's stories and art are whimsical and touching. Characters are her focus, so this book doesn't have as much sci-fi as I typically like in a graphic novel sci-fi story. I still really enjoyed it, though. I loved the found family and the various settings....more
"Sea Change" is an impressive debut novel that seamlessly blends genres into an emotional story. Chung does wonders with characterization here. I usua"Sea Change" is an impressive debut novel that seamlessly blends genres into an emotional story. Chung does wonders with characterization here. I usually like more plot than character, but I didn't mind here because I was so invested in the main character's emotional journey and what she would learn. This book can be difficult, especially for someone dealing with depression, but it was very good....more
"Service Model" was incredibly entertaining and explored questions about autonomy. I really liked the characters. Tchaikovsky's take on AI and self-id"Service Model" was incredibly entertaining and explored questions about autonomy. I really liked the characters. Tchaikovsky's take on AI and self-identity was unique, and he delved into with humor and wisdom. This book is one of my favorite about robots.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free audiobook in exchange for an honest review....more
"The Necessity of Stars" is an odd little speculative fiction novella. I was expecting more first contact excitement, but the story is literary and fo"The Necessity of Stars" is an odd little speculative fiction novella. I was expecting more first contact excitement, but the story is literary and focuses mostly on the nature of memory. I was intrigued and absorbed in the book. I liked the author's writing style because it was simple but lyrical. I would read more from this author....more
"Chicano Frankenstein" was a fantastic premise. It's one of my favorite ideas for a modern "Frankenstein." This novel is short, but Olivas still built"Chicano Frankenstein" was a fantastic premise. It's one of my favorite ideas for a modern "Frankenstein." This novel is short, but Olivas still built a really strong sense of culture into the story. I felt immersed in this family and Latinx culture, and he created some really good visuals.
This book was influenced by the election of Trump and the racism that ran rampant during his campaign and time in office. I think that's a perfectly natural and important topic, but the parallels were a little too on the nose for my taste. I think other readers would like it though. I prefer a subtler bite in political satire, but if you like yours with a bulldozer, you'll love this.
The other issue I had was the voice of The Man. He wasn't that consistent. Sometimes he was quite emotional and relatable, and other times he was robotic and reminded me of Mr. Data. Some of that may be from the narrator.
All in all, I would recommend this book and found it unique. I don't know that I would reread it, but I will buy it for our library, recommend it for book clubs, and read the author's other works.
Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for a free audiobook in exchange for an honest review....more
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