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ocie's Reviews (413)
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is perhaps my favorite murderbot story. There's so much going on, AND we get to see murderbot and its humans interact with ART and its humans, and that's amazing
I love the introspection in this book, love the story, and, as always, I love murderbot's assholery and ART's cuntiness. They go perfectly together.
I love the introspection in this book, love the story, and, as always, I love murderbot's assholery and ART's cuntiness. They go perfectly together.
How can two men write such a delightful book?
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
We follow August as she moves to the city, falls in love, and allows herself to be drawn out of her self-isolation and into a supportive queer community.
We meet Jane, the mysterious punk who is somehow always on the same train as August, and when August describes her devastating cheekbones, we nod in understanding.
For me it's the found family. Specifically, the queer community who just immediately pulls Augist in and simply ignores her initial resistance. Her roommates don't just treat her like a roommate. As soon as she moves in she's a part of their group, their family.
And then there's the mystery. Who is Jane, why won't she go out with August, and how is it that she's ALWAYS on the same train as August every single time??
It's a love letter to the queer community, with well rounded characters and a welcoming community.
10/10 stars, you should read this book.
We meet Jane, the mysterious punk who is somehow always on the same train as August, and when August describes her devastating cheekbones, we nod in understanding.
For me it's the found family. Specifically, the queer community who just immediately pulls Augist in and simply ignores her initial resistance. Her roommates don't just treat her like a roommate. As soon as she moves in she's a part of their group, their family.
And then there's the mystery. Who is Jane, why won't she go out with August, and how is it that she's ALWAYS on the same train as August every single time??
It's a love letter to the queer community, with well rounded characters and a welcoming community.
10/10 stars, you should read this book.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is the PERFECT blend of romance and plot.
The romance part:
-Arranged marriage
-Idiots to lovers (the love is requieted but they're both just idiots)
-slow-ish burn
-Power couple once they learn how to work together
The only thing I didn't like about the romance aspect of this was just HOW stupid they both are about it. They could have been just a little less obtuse.
The murder mystery plot part:
-the accident wasn't actually an accident
-Internal security is a bit incompetent so the main characters have to solve the murder themselves
-the mystery is solved one tiny clue/detail at a time, stringing you along.
In my opinion the murder mystery aspect is perfect, 10/10, no notes.
Other than that, the world building for this book is AMAZING. I have such a clear idea in my head of the geography of Iskat as well as an understanding of the empire's politics, which did NOT bore me as some sci-fi politics do. I actually think the world building is at least half the reason I love this book so much. It paints such a vibrant picture of what the story looks like. And I love how little details are slipped in so subtly, you almost don't even notice them. Example: "keim spent all of the next week's 10 days..." casually mentions that a week on this planet is 10 days. A perfect example of good world building that isn't too detailed or boring.
This book is one of my absolute favorites, and as of 2025 I've read it 5 times.
The romance part:
-Arranged marriage
-Idiots to lovers (the love is requieted but they're both just idiots)
-slow-ish burn
-Power couple once they learn how to work together
The only thing I didn't like about the romance aspect of this was just HOW stupid they both are about it. They could have been just a little less obtuse.
The murder mystery plot part:
-the accident wasn't actually an accident
-Internal security is a bit incompetent so the main characters have to solve the murder themselves
-the mystery is solved one tiny clue/detail at a time, stringing you along.
In my opinion the murder mystery aspect is perfect, 10/10, no notes.
Other than that, the world building for this book is AMAZING. I have such a clear idea in my head of the geography of Iskat as well as an understanding of the empire's politics, which did NOT bore me as some sci-fi politics do. I actually think the world building is at least half the reason I love this book so much. It paints such a vibrant picture of what the story looks like. And I love how little details are slipped in so subtly, you almost don't even notice them. Example: "keim spent all of the next week's 10 days..." casually mentions that a week on this planet is 10 days. A perfect example of good world building that isn't too detailed or boring.
This book is one of my absolute favorites, and as of 2025 I've read it 5 times.
