This was the first Murderbot story that did not fully click with me. I think this was mostly due to the pacing - it seemed to me like the first three This was the first Murderbot story that did not fully click with me. I think this was mostly due to the pacing - it seemed to me like the first three quarters of the book were a dragging preparation for a too quick finale. The finale was satisfying but the lead on was much too long with not much tension nor action. Sure, the Murderbot banter was fun and his trauma was shown well but in previous parts this was mixed with more punch....more
I think this is the point I got tired with how convoluted the writing is. Some mystery and ambiguity is fine - I like careful reading and piecing thinI think this is the point I got tired with how convoluted the writing is. Some mystery and ambiguity is fine - I like careful reading and piecing things together but this is a bit too much. Even though the origin of the whole Earth-gone-necromantic-resurrection-beasts has been shown more or less clearly it still was mainly confusing. I still like some of the characters, some of the banter but the confusion and writing strategy muddies this all up. Or maybe it was due to the fact that the best characters were non- or almost non-present....more
Well... What can I say? It's another very solid entry in a very good series. Abraham managed to do something strange for me: keep me engaged and make Well... What can I say? It's another very solid entry in a very good series. Abraham managed to do something strange for me: keep me engaged and make the book seem significant in the series even though it was mostly setting up for the next parts (maybe apart from the final reveal). But the solid & flawed characters and original antihero approach make it worth it....more
Still entertaining and moving in places but for me it was the weakest of the three. Maybe it was because the voice of the, quite well written all in aStill entertaining and moving in places but for me it was the weakest of the three. Maybe it was because the voice of the, quite well written all in all, protagonist got drowned in the action and number of other characters and places, but I just could not connect on a deeper level with the story....more
This was a pretty surprising read for me - I did not read the blurbs nor any synopsis and the start of the book made me expect something quite differeThis was a pretty surprising read for me - I did not read the blurbs nor any synopsis and the start of the book made me expect something quite different. However, I really enjoyed this story of what it takes to attain your goals. It brutal, it's dark and it shows how certain choices force us down paths demanding sacrifice and blood and how much of it may be needed to become great. Also has great themes of sexual identity, overcoming your social standing and more.
I must however comment on one scene that just shook me. I get this is quite visceral and quite an adult story but (view spoiler)[the fisting really took me by surprise (hide spoiler)]and seemed out of place....more
In a very concise manner: short but sweet. It does not add terribly much to the Muder(bot/verse) but it a decent detective story with the typical MudeIn a very concise manner: short but sweet. It does not add terribly much to the Muder(bot/verse) but it a decent detective story with the typical Muderbot gusto....more
Still loving the lesbian necromancer shenanigans - still a tapestry of peculiar characters, still has an intriguing world and the plot still is twist Still loving the lesbian necromancer shenanigans - still a tapestry of peculiar characters, still has an intriguing world and the plot still is twist prone. However, there is a bit more angst than humour than in the first one - in general the tone is a bit more sombre but there are still smiles to be had.
Though, I must admit that for a fluent non-native the language was a bit to follow from time to time. ...more
For some reason I was expecting something of continuation of the first novella in this series but I got something very different... and better, I thinFor some reason I was expecting something of continuation of the first novella in this series but I got something very different... and better, I think. I liked the story, I liked the dark fairy tale vibe, I like the play on tropes and I certainly did not expect how it ended. I am not yet sure how I feel about the ending but even despite this I adored the story. ...more
This book is fine example of good quality entertaining fiction. Interesting premise, likeable protagonist, despicable antagonist and freaking kaiju. TThis book is fine example of good quality entertaining fiction. Interesting premise, likeable protagonist, despicable antagonist and freaking kaiju. The plot moves along quickly, there is the Scalzi style humour and recent issues mentioned. The one gripe I might have is that when the main calamity happened it was all over a bit to quickly....more
A short but intricate story with a story within it. I like the interactions in the surface story and the unobtrusive, non-binary cleric focused on lisA short but intricate story with a story within it. I like the interactions in the surface story and the unobtrusive, non-binary cleric focused on listening. I really, really enjoyed the story being told - it had passion, loss, violence and closure. Nghi Vo definitely has the talent of paining a beautiful, meaningful or painful scene without using too many words. ...more
A great romp with a likeable, varied cast of characters - both the good and the bad... girls. I love the setting and humour. And there is a mega-djinnA great romp with a likeable, varied cast of characters - both the good and the bad... girls. I love the setting and humour. And there is a mega-djinn-mech, Power Rangers style....more
Was really surprised with how much I enjoyed this. The story itself was pretty simple but the murder mystery was satisfying enough. But it was the chaWas really surprised with how much I enjoyed this. The story itself was pretty simple but the murder mystery was satisfying enough. But it was the characters and the nature of their trauma that drew me in. The characters are well crafted, diverse and likeable (even if in weird ways). Oh, and the ending really got me....more
As many people in the reviews on Goodreads have already stated: this book has quite an original concept at its base. It suits fantasy fiction very welAs many people in the reviews on Goodreads have already stated: this book has quite an original concept at its base. It suits fantasy fiction very well and gives basically endless possibilities for new stories. The character development is handled in an ambiguous way as Last, the character reappearing in all of the short stories is presented only through others. Because of this he ends up a bit hazy and underdeveloped. However, the protagonists of the individual tales provide an interesting set of individuals. ...more
Quite a touching tale of dealing with your past and moving on with very strong trans undertones. The setting and the general progression of the story Quite a touching tale of dealing with your past and moving on with very strong trans undertones. The setting and the general progression of the story has a quality of a fairy tale but everything else is fully mature. Although the world is somewhat reminiscent of the desert/Arabian Nights stories, it has enough original elements to stand on its own. I also liked the the protagonists were on the older side. On the whole I got a bit of the Le Guin vibe here....more
Something right up my alley. A set of interconnected stories - at first it leans more into realism and human drama but then it gets more uncanny and mSomething right up my alley. A set of interconnected stories - at first it leans more into realism and human drama but then it gets more uncanny and meta. Ogawa shows the dark side of human nature but through the eyes of others and shows how we lie in our own perception. The meta element is also interesting - on of the protagonists is a writer whose stories appear in paper in other stories but mimic the stories in the book itself. Who is writing who?...more
Emotional and intriguing. I seem to have found a liking for the unobtrusive world-building and concise storytelling of novellas. This one gripped me tEmotional and intriguing. I seem to have found a liking for the unobtrusive world-building and concise storytelling of novellas. This one gripped me thanks to the believable child perspective and intriguing setting. Oh, and the Omar Little quote was a plus....more
Murderbot is best bot. I loved the interaction with ART and the development there but I did not fully enjoy the plot itself. It all went a bit too easMurderbot is best bot. I loved the interaction with ART and the development there but I did not fully enjoy the plot itself. It all went a bit too easy in the end... Still, overall it was a great read....more
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