I like space. Never had a desire to be an astronaut, but I've always loved stars and NASA and all the work that goes into sending people up. So of course I picked this up when I visited the Johnson Space Center.

Parts of this were good, parts of it were bad. But ultimately, once I finished reading about his first space flight (which, honestly, I expected to be more than a chapter) I was done. And what turned me away was Mullane himself.

No doubt about it, he's a misogynist. He applauded himself on the back several times for not sleeping with a co-worker. Turned himself into a hero because of it. Never mind he was married, had kids, or hell, managed to get into space. Restraint was his greatest achievement! But he never thought it wrong. Never stopped thinking it. And all his other comments about looking down on those not in the military. On seeing beautiful women as threats because they could sleep around and get a leg up. Hell, he actively says that the only reason he became an astronaut was because he didn't have to be involved in the household. Chores, kids, shopping - his wife did everything so he had nothing to get in the way of his career. For. Ever. He acknowledges this only once, and was a jerk to her most of the time. (Can you say privileged?)

I got to the point of the book where he'd been in space and then stopped reading because I realized if I ever meet Mullane in real life I'd turn on my heel and walk the other way.

Parts of this I did like. The understanding of the inner politics of NASA and astronaut assignments. The stress Mullane's wife went through watch failed launch after failed launch. His slight growth towards seeing the feminist/civilian light, understanding their struggles and worth. (though really, seeing worth in everyone should be expected, not worthy of ten gold stars). The small moments of how it felt to hit 50 miles and officially become an astronaut, watching day come over the earth.

They just weren't enough to pull me to finish the book.

Simply not for me.

It felt too simple, and Attia at times a bit like a Mary Sue. And the gladiator has such a melodramatic, telling intro I just, I just couldn't. Pushed myself through the first quarter and then decided to move on.

I'm sure others will like it.

This just couldn't keep my attention. I'd really like one part, then the next would drag. After 3.5hr of the audiobook, I figured I gave it a fair try but there are other books I could listen too.

I really liked the aro rep in here. It's probably the best I've read so far, and the world Meadows builds is fascinating. There's a lot of cool cultures in here, from the hierarchy or a royal marriage to the initiation ceremony of a matriarchy warrior nation. Plus, an older black woman main character? Love all the way.

I couldn't finish this though - the pacing was a bit slow, other shiny things caught my attention, and this got shuffled aside.

I loved this book way more than I expected.
(I actually decided to read this instead of watch more Good Omens today.)

By-the-Sea is a charming island, and I really, really loved how well the relationship between Georgina and Pru was handled. Georgina's inner voice was brilliant.

Good lesbian rep here, with Pru as a baby bi and best friend Vira identifying as ace.

I fell in love with this book by page 10. The prose is elegant and says so much with a few lines. The whole cast of characters are interesting, and I love the fairy tales interspersed through the novel. They're not the ones I grew up with, they're dark, more mature, but they fit the theme of this story perfectly.

Honestly, this is probably my best read of 2019, and Cokal has skyrocketed herself into an author whose every work I want to devour. Good thing B&N is having a sale right now.