Reviews and Comments

I enjoy running because it is one of the few things that gets me outside (disconnected!) and lets my mind wander within itself. The pacing of the story and the quality of the writing brought me a similar experience. There are moments of action, but there are also stretches where development is slow and the nuance of life comes to the front. The time for reflection within the story is what gives the unique story heart, and, for me, personal meaning.

An unexpected tour of a planet and it's people. Beautifully written but with an uneven plot and inconsistent characters.

It might have a good point or two in it, but the whole book is spent talking about the successes of the author as they implement their techniques. It's like some magic fairy tale where every technique has a happy ending, and not the reality of raising kids who have challenges. Just awful for any struggling parent's mindset.

The main plot isn't as unexpected as I'd like (pending earth apocalypse due to capitalism), but the characters are certainly quirky, and the story eventually goes to unexpected places and has some great twists. Good mix of local action and a longer timeframe view.

A fun world, with a story that unfolds across eras, that could have used a stronger plotline.

This felt similar to the Monk & Robot series by Becky Chalmers: Some sort of apocalypse came for humanity, and things worked out for the better (genderfluid, democratic socialism, respected personhood). But then there's still some capitalists around so they don't, kinda. But they also kinda do in the end? I like that it's one book, but it coulda used a couple more chapters.

Not as quirky, given I'd previously read a similar series, and some unexpected, but not much.

The core plotline is pretty rote at this point: Something has gone wrong with earth, etc etc. ButI like the way this story is told, good characters, unique world, keeps you in the dark but not too much. Good moments of action and excitement as well as reflection. I said "whoa, this is a good book" out loud while reading. And extra points for it not being a trilogy or something that'd take a month to read through.

Not too quirky, but pretty unexpected

Similar to the first book, things happen without much tension. Which is a fascinating feeling! But this book doesn't push as hard on the introspection side -- or maybe I missed it? Felt much less quirky and unexpected compared to the first.

In reading more about this book after I finished it, which is a hint to it's unexpectedness, I learned the author is known for a genre called "Hopeful Science Fiction." The setup, roughly speaking, is that humanity has succeeded in it's transformation rather than entering a dystopian/post-apocalyptic phase.

That mindset makes this book a joy to read. It offers up a very rich and peaceful world to explore, with introspective characters who encourage reflection on the human condition.

This book jumps right back into the action and keeps the plot-twist-heavy formula cooking. It was so good that I kind of ignored my family for a couple of evenings as I tore through it. But the real joy is that the conclusion was perfectly satisfying - a rare final book that gracefully wraps up a big idea.

I mean, the blurb is amazing! But the plot lacks any nuance or tension whatsoever. I like fun shallow books, but this reads like a swear-y version of a Bond-like for 8 year olds.

A strange little tale that's much deeper than it's page count. It's high on both the quirky and unexpected scales.

It's hard to say too much about this series without spoiling various plot twists and discoveries. Of which there are many.

This book feels like a great setup for the final book. It introduces more knowns, and unknowns, into the state of the world. It's a longer term view of the situation compared to the first book, which is critical backstory, but means less of that "discover the world through Juliettes eyes" thrill from the first book. Also, I wish I hadn't waited as long after reading the first book, there are some specific details that carry over and aren't re-contextualized.

Very much looking forward to the third book.

A very solid ocean caper in a world that has more fantasy depth than I initially expected. Also appreciated that the lead character was aged, and not some youngster with healthy joints.

It was interesting, but never compelling, with an ending felt like the author was trying to get out of the office on a Friday. Neat world though, would maybe like to see a sequel.