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roadtripreader's Reviews (357)
If you've read one Neil Gaiman book and loved it, don't expect the same formula in his other works but do expect to be drawn into the world between the pages and get lost in the world-building of each one. The same is true for this book. There is a very Gaimanesque way in which he brings elements of a story together. There have been a few authors who have mimicked this but not quite right. It's rather hard to explain.
What I will say is this - this is a story about a boy and his adopted family in the middle of a graveyard that is surprisingly the most heartwarming place in the whole book.
This book is tender, gentle, magical and enduring.
What I will say is this - this is a story about a boy and his adopted family in the middle of a graveyard that is surprisingly the most heartwarming place in the whole book.
This book is tender, gentle, magical and enduring.
Had to reread this a few times just to see if I was approaching the story a little harshly.
Sadly, nope. It's like an ice-cream cone on a sunny day, started out with promise, left in the heat to melt but you still gobble it down because ... it's ice cream.
1. The first act is really good and builds to the obvious ending of the Princess and the Prince. The moment the author mentions wolves the jig is up.
2. The second act is rushed and falls flat like a pancake. And then, the end, where the narrator seems to be talking to the elusive powerful keeper of stories - it seems like a sprint to the end pushing every character aside and toppling over the finish line banner.
Of course, this is barely a novella and as such it would not have enough development - but bollocks to that as there are plenty of short stories that are impactful and lasting and speak volumes in 17 pages or even more. This is the curse of this particular author. Having sampled several works already including another novella, her work takes off with gusto and draws you into the world of the characters quickly. Then comes the key part - the middle and it seems to always be a muddled mess or just plain boring and finally the ending, as if to make up for this ...seems a bit much.
I will keep reading your books madam - I will find another gem like "The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter"
Until then, this one is not it.
Sadly, nope. It's like an ice-cream cone on a sunny day, started out with promise, left in the heat to melt but you still gobble it down because ... it's ice cream.
1. The first act is really good and builds to the obvious ending of the Princess and the Prince. The moment the author mentions wolves the jig is up.
2. The second act is rushed and falls flat like a pancake. And then, the end, where the narrator seems to be talking to the elusive powerful keeper of stories - it seems like a sprint to the end pushing every character aside and toppling over the finish line banner.
Of course, this is barely a novella and as such it would not have enough development - but bollocks to that as there are plenty of short stories that are impactful and lasting and speak volumes in 17 pages or even more. This is the curse of this particular author. Having sampled several works already including another novella, her work takes off with gusto and draws you into the world of the characters quickly. Then comes the key part - the middle and it seems to always be a muddled mess or just plain boring and finally the ending, as if to make up for this ...seems a bit much.
I will keep reading your books madam - I will find another gem like "The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter"
Until then, this one is not it.
I love a book that lingers so much I have to reread it within a couple of hours. I came away from this story feeling like I had just been dragged through a lucid dream or more like, tumbling headfirst into someone else's lucid dream where everything makes sense in a wonderfully warped way. It has a very cosmic, midnighty-blue with purple haze and shock white light kind of feeling. If you need a break from your heavier novels and you are partial to some mind-bending sci-fi, chemistry, and detective mysteries, this is right up that alley.
Too many things to like, so let's start with the only thing that could have been...more rounded:
1. Long Chau is obviously a reimagining of a Sherlockian character. Her abstract thinking and her detached nature bare all the hallmark characteristics of the world's beloved consulting detective. Yet, she seems very two dimensional and even with revelations within the book, I don't see her as more than a Sherlock standin - however, this reimagining works so well with the reluctant Dr Watson in the form of "The Shadow's Child"
Now, on to the stuff stood out:
A) At it's core, it is a story about grief, untreated post traumatic stress and the overcoming of fear whether at a snails pace or forced by the threat of imminent chaos - or death.
B) The names in this book are EPIC! Picture meeting someone called "The Shadow's Child" or "Pomegranates Buried In The Sand" I know I would grab a coffee and listen to the stories of someone named "The Sorrow of Gentlemen" and play chess with "Sharpening Steel Into Needles"
C) The concept of the shipmind was interesting to envision at first. To see the whole I first imagined this echo or mind then an apparition in almost solid form and then some sort futuristic ship. This shipmind in question is fragile, riddled with fear, sensitive and traumatized. An interesting take on a sentient AI.
D) Sherlock needs a good case: In this case, the outer space mystery is intriguing and chekov's gun appears not far into the story but it's drawn out really well and comes to an excellent climax. I honestly found myself jotting down my own theories about whodunnit and it was quite enjoyable.
E) Chemistry, Human Anatomy and Psychology, it was quite refreshing to read about the monumental task of space jumping and what the human body needs to be able to mentally and physically come out on the other side in one piece.
I read this as a standalone and it was so good, I'm adding the "Xuya Universe" to my reading list (On A Red Station, Drifting / The Citadel of Weeping Pearls)
Too many things to like, so let's start with the only thing that could have been...more rounded:
1. Long Chau is obviously a reimagining of a Sherlockian character. Her abstract thinking and her detached nature bare all the hallmark characteristics of the world's beloved consulting detective. Yet, she seems very two dimensional and even with revelations within the book, I don't see her as more than a Sherlock standin - however, this reimagining works so well with the reluctant Dr Watson in the form of "The Shadow's Child"
Now, on to the stuff stood out:
A) At it's core, it is a story about grief, untreated post traumatic stress and the overcoming of fear whether at a snails pace or forced by the threat of imminent chaos - or death.
B) The names in this book are EPIC! Picture meeting someone called "The Shadow's Child" or "Pomegranates Buried In The Sand" I know I would grab a coffee and listen to the stories of someone named "The Sorrow of Gentlemen" and play chess with "Sharpening Steel Into Needles"
C) The concept of the shipmind was interesting to envision at first. To see the whole I first imagined this echo or mind then an apparition in almost solid form and then some sort futuristic ship. This shipmind in question is fragile, riddled with fear, sensitive and traumatized. An interesting take on a sentient AI.
D) Sherlock needs a good case: In this case, the outer space mystery is intriguing and chekov's gun appears not far into the story but it's drawn out really well and comes to an excellent climax. I honestly found myself jotting down my own theories about whodunnit and it was quite enjoyable.
E) Chemistry, Human Anatomy and Psychology, it was quite refreshing to read about the monumental task of space jumping and what the human body needs to be able to mentally and physically come out on the other side in one piece.
I read this as a standalone and it was so good, I'm adding the "Xuya Universe" to my reading list (On A Red Station, Drifting / The Citadel of Weeping Pearls)
Immortality via Murder
Okay interest peaked. New series alert for my brain to inhale. It reminds me of that movie Repo Men with the organ repossession - but this is a whole other level of ingenuity.
I wouldn't be surprised if a streaming service or that dinosaur that is Hollywood got a hold of this.
Okay interest peaked. New series alert for my brain to inhale. It reminds me of that movie Repo Men with the organ repossession - but this is a whole other level of ingenuity.
I wouldn't be surprised if a streaming service or that dinosaur that is Hollywood got a hold of this.
I couldn't decide between a 2 or a 3 so Ive settled on a 2.5. This book had the bones for a great cozy mystery and I suppose all the twists and turns should have made it a great read - but, the main character never won me over. I will probably read one more book out of the series in the distant future, I don't want to write-off this whole series.
Pity, all the rave reviews had me so excited to read this.
Pity, all the rave reviews had me so excited to read this.
Picking up this book years later, I went into the story with fresh eyes, also as a teacher who recently started working with differently abled students, I had a new perspective that I didn't have in the past.
First, this book is fantastic. I find Christopher to be beyond brave. Although he stumbled, he faltered - he still managed to use the coping mechanisms taught to him and self-acquired to take on the grand task of "detecting".
My favorite chapters takes place in the Train station...let's just say, I was equal parts impressed, amazed, worried and relieved during those pages.
This is a first there was nothing that I didn't like.
This story aged well.
Cheers to a fine vintage
First, this book is fantastic. I find Christopher to be beyond brave. Although he stumbled, he faltered - he still managed to use the coping mechanisms taught to him and self-acquired to take on the grand task of "detecting".
My favorite chapters takes place in the Train station...let's just say, I was equal parts impressed, amazed, worried and relieved during those pages.
This is a first there was nothing that I didn't like.
This story aged well.
Cheers to a fine vintage
When I was a teen, I lived in the countryside on a farm that had just 1 animal, a gorgeous, fluffy, daring and adventurous Alsatian named Waffles, my dog (R.I.P). When we first got her, she was sitting in a box on the passenger side of my dad's car and she looked like a cat. When she looked up at us as we peered through the window, she had that little twinkle in her eye...the one that said: Behold! I am Mischief, bow before me as I seek adventure.
So, she was our animal on the farm. Granted, the land had rabbits and a whole ecosystem and she'd spend her afternoons trying to catch them. But come Sunday, we always knew that the troupe/herd/school of cyclistswere coming down our street because Waffles would absolutely lose her shit, make a beeline for the fence and then jump over (she was very energetic, think Border Collie insanity but in an all black shiny Alsatian) boundless energy heading for the shiny tights and shiny helmets whizzing by. Anyway, she'd go and try to sniff every. single. one. She'd run close to their wheels, tail wagging away then breakneck speed to the back of the herd and then dash to the front. She'd follow them for a while and turn back like she was heading back to the yard and only...ba-bam, the straggler/s of the troop would come down our street and she'd be off again. They didn't hate her, in fact, we could here them talking affectionately to her as they rode pass and this was the pattern for 2 years. Waffles and the Cyclist-Troupe.
See that...yeah that is a way more interesting story.
I finished reading this novelette on the other hand and just started remembering my dog and those cyclists - core memory I suppose. This Vampire does not inspire fear, just pity. This vampire who .... lives in a cave?, in the modern era, basically lives his undead life cycling down a mountain everyday. Okay, I get being a hermit and selective socialization and cycling is in your blood hoorah - but how about doing that foreverness in a mansion you undead sod. And apparently he stinks of death and sweat from cycling - ew, pungent.
Vampires choosing to slum it is right up there with jumping the shark. He doesn't have enough money to replace his decade old mountain bike. He is so unremarkable that he forgets his bike goggles on a tree where he drained two malicious idiots who were clearly trying to hurt cyclists. Then, he accepts charity from a human bloodbag (the narrator). Offers to turn him and the bloodbag refuses because he wants to reconnect with his ex (mmkay) and presumably grow old doing his chef thing in a restaurant that seems to be losing money and he wants to have a hard time cycling up the hill as the years go by. Did I get all of that? Yeah, this is not a horror story. This is a tragedy and not Greek Mythology tragic, more like missing the goalpost while standing right in front of the damn thing and then losing the ENTIRE game at half time tragic. This vampire is a putz.
On a serious note - what do we call a group of cyclists riding together. Is it group, troupe, troop, goof troops, school, murder, gathering, cycle bros maybe?
No bueno. rated it a 2 but gave it an extra 1 star for reminding me of Waffles.
*Book 2 from my Readathon*
So, she was our animal on the farm. Granted, the land had rabbits and a whole ecosystem and she'd spend her afternoons trying to catch them. But come Sunday, we always knew that the troupe/herd/school of cyclistswere coming down our street because Waffles would absolutely lose her shit, make a beeline for the fence and then jump over (she was very energetic, think Border Collie insanity but in an all black shiny Alsatian) boundless energy heading for the shiny tights and shiny helmets whizzing by. Anyway, she'd go and try to sniff every. single. one. She'd run close to their wheels, tail wagging away then breakneck speed to the back of the herd and then dash to the front. She'd follow them for a while and turn back like she was heading back to the yard and only...ba-bam, the straggler/s of the troop would come down our street and she'd be off again. They didn't hate her, in fact, we could here them talking affectionately to her as they rode pass and this was the pattern for 2 years. Waffles and the Cyclist-Troupe.
See that...yeah that is a way more interesting story.
I finished reading this novelette on the other hand and just started remembering my dog and those cyclists - core memory I suppose. This Vampire does not inspire fear, just pity. This vampire who .... lives in a cave?, in the modern era, basically lives his undead life cycling down a mountain everyday. Okay, I get being a hermit and selective socialization and cycling is in your blood hoorah - but how about doing that foreverness in a mansion you undead sod. And apparently he stinks of death and sweat from cycling - ew, pungent.
Vampires choosing to slum it is right up there with jumping the shark. He doesn't have enough money to replace his decade old mountain bike. He is so unremarkable that he forgets his bike goggles on a tree where he drained two malicious idiots who were clearly trying to hurt cyclists. Then, he accepts charity from a human bloodbag (the narrator). Offers to turn him and the bloodbag refuses because he wants to reconnect with his ex (mmkay) and presumably grow old doing his chef thing in a restaurant that seems to be losing money and he wants to have a hard time cycling up the hill as the years go by. Did I get all of that? Yeah, this is not a horror story. This is a tragedy and not Greek Mythology tragic, more like missing the goalpost while standing right in front of the damn thing and then losing the ENTIRE game at half time tragic. This vampire is a putz.
On a serious note - what do we call a group of cyclists riding together. Is it group, troupe, troop, goof troops, school, murder, gathering, cycle bros maybe?
No bueno. rated it a 2 but gave it an extra 1 star for reminding me of Waffles.
*Book 2 from my Readathon*
One thing about Judge Dee - he knows whodunnit. And you know what, it is NEVER the obvious one. Vampires are a sneaky bunch and it makes sense that to judge a Vampire you have to be Chief Whip of sneaking and trickery.
Jonathan is not long for this world. He seems to be deteriorating emotionally and he has less interest in what his master is called to do. Understandable, he is human, always on the road, communicating with one being that is not human and at times going without food for days. Jonathan's key role is basically to be a sounding board for Judge Dee (not that he is really necessary to the case-solving process which he seems to be realizing) yet he was literally just an echo chamber in this book : yes master, yes master, yes master. And dont get me started on his slobbery- on this, I could totally understand if Judge Dee wanted to throw him off a cliff.
The case was bound to be interesting, 3 potential killers all confess but who is the real killer.
Jonathan is not long for this world. He seems to be deteriorating emotionally and he has less interest in what his master is called to do. Understandable, he is human, always on the road, communicating with one being that is not human and at times going without food for days. Jonathan's key role is basically to be a sounding board for Judge Dee (not that he is really necessary to the case-solving process which he seems to be realizing) yet he was literally just an echo chamber in this book : yes master, yes master, yes master. And dont get me started on his slobbery- on this, I could totally understand if Judge Dee wanted to throw him off a cliff.
The case was bound to be interesting, 3 potential killers all confess but who is the real killer.
An enigma wrapped in a murder mystery and shoved into the best kind of scifi...on the verge of dystopianism, bleak, rationing everything, ennui, and AI.
I love the idea of inanimate objects seemingly anthromorphisized because of it's AI configuration. Rose House is haunted. Maybe in the spiritual sense seeing as the Architect who designed and built it died on the property...but I get the sense that in this case, haunt is not ghostly but rather a very sentient AI in complete control of who can and cannot enter the house - nothing like the average in this world. Realer voice, closer to human cadences...just north of uncanny valley.
Speaking of "The Architect" I find it fascinating that his death resulted in a compression into the diamond. Narcissis would be proud if he wasn't stuck in a perpetual loop staring into reflection and falling in love over and over for eternity.
Basit Deniau is also .... something else. What if the person you hated or more specifically, the person who wronged you left everything in their will to you but what was willed to you was...say, something you radioactive but precious and you weren't allowed to give it away AND it was something everyone wanted. Yeah, Basit Deniau is a piece of work. Malicious? Possibly. Psychotic? Doubtful. It's on the tip of the tongue though.
What I love about this book is even after finishing it, I'm still sitting here pondering more of what drove these characters. From Deniau (his echoes and his haunted house) Dr Gisil but to a lesser extent or Detective Maritza Smith however, the other Detective, Oliver Torres - well his motivations were cut and dry easy.
Arkady Martine is a revelation and I am glad I bothered to look at the recommended books because I read "The Dispatcher". So, thanks Goodreads I guess.
Book 1: Readathon
I love the idea of inanimate objects seemingly anthromorphisized because of it's AI configuration. Rose House is haunted. Maybe in the spiritual sense seeing as the Architect who designed and built it died on the property...but I get the sense that in this case, haunt is not ghostly but rather a very sentient AI in complete control of who can and cannot enter the house - nothing like the average in this world. Realer voice, closer to human cadences...just north of uncanny valley.
Speaking of "The Architect" I find it fascinating that his death resulted in a compression into the diamond. Narcissis would be proud if he wasn't stuck in a perpetual loop staring into reflection and falling in love over and over for eternity.
Basit Deniau is also .... something else. What if the person you hated or more specifically, the person who wronged you left everything in their will to you but what was willed to you was...say, something you radioactive but precious and you weren't allowed to give it away AND it was something everyone wanted. Yeah, Basit Deniau is a piece of work. Malicious? Possibly. Psychotic? Doubtful. It's on the tip of the tongue though.
What I love about this book is even after finishing it, I'm still sitting here pondering more of what drove these characters. From Deniau (his echoes and his haunted house) Dr Gisil but to a lesser extent or Detective Maritza Smith however, the other Detective, Oliver Torres - well his motivations were cut and dry easy.
Arkady Martine is a revelation and I am glad I bothered to look at the recommended books because I read "The Dispatcher". So, thanks Goodreads I guess.
Book 1: Readathon
Aaw! I adored this book. I'm starting to realize there is a whole world of coziness out there. Cozy Fantasy, Cozy Mystery, Cozy Scifi and now, pair that with this feeling of maybe Slice of Life and what we have is a slice of cozy scifi set a few hundred years into our future. Sapient vs sentient technology is at the forefront of this world. AI in the uncanny valley of humanoid robots being the sapient, emotive technology and the more Sentient tech are the RAISES. I loved the them of change and growth even through utter devastation and pain.
Our three main characters are loveable for different reasons.
⦁ Joanie the Sentient RAISE is as cute as a button, a tiny colorful bird with a colorful personality and so loyal it hurts.
⦁ Sal, the sentient and sapient robot. She seems innocent, melancholic, emotionally chained to one place, maybe rooted to one place, never venturing out. She is in mourning over having outlived her owner Karinne, whom she loved so dearly. She is also traumatized as much as a robot can be having been threatened with destruction before. She is gentle and aloof and she pulls at the heartstrings.
⦁ Clara Guiterrez is the unchanging wanderlust-driven AI Specialist with a "particular set of skills" and an adventurous way of looking at the world. She never stays in one place for more than 6 months to a year. Her curiosity and reaction to Sal is so wholesome and I teared up a little reading this book ... about robots and AI. Beautiful.
⦁ Detective Hyeon, what can I say - in the words of Gina Linetti..."He's a good dude. A really good dude" (Gina Linetti confetti sphagetti. I'm sorry, I had to say it.)
This part sums it up:
"It must be pretty depressing," Clara added.
"What? Oh..." Sal put the lid carefully to one side, dipped the edge of the stiff brush in. "A little."
"Just a little?"
Sal pressed her lips tightly together for a moment. It was hard to find the words to express these feelings fully. They churned around and were only peripherally focused on the words she was here to paint over.
"It's not... as if I'm unaware that I am a thing," she said slowly. "And that I'll eventually break. It hurts to read because they intended it to hurt. The same thing is less painful when it's just self-awareness. I am already to the stage that I should probably seek out repairs soon, although I don't want to. But the shop is also a thing."
"I think it's a little different..."
"Yes. But what they came in and trashed was the shop. They did it to hurt me, but they hurt it too. Unlike me, it doesn't have any feelings. But I have feelings for it," Sal said.
I found myself not wanting this book to end. It was so sweet and so sad and oh so hopeful - not in the music swelling cue the bawling but in a softer more reserved way.
Book 4: Readathon
Our three main characters are loveable for different reasons.
⦁ Joanie the Sentient RAISE is as cute as a button, a tiny colorful bird with a colorful personality and so loyal it hurts.
⦁ Sal, the sentient and sapient robot. She seems innocent, melancholic, emotionally chained to one place, maybe rooted to one place, never venturing out. She is in mourning over having outlived her owner Karinne, whom she loved so dearly. She is also traumatized as much as a robot can be having been threatened with destruction before. She is gentle and aloof and she pulls at the heartstrings.
⦁ Clara Guiterrez is the unchanging wanderlust-driven AI Specialist with a "particular set of skills" and an adventurous way of looking at the world. She never stays in one place for more than 6 months to a year. Her curiosity and reaction to Sal is so wholesome and I teared up a little reading this book ... about robots and AI. Beautiful.
⦁ Detective Hyeon, what can I say - in the words of Gina Linetti..."He's a good dude. A really good dude" (Gina Linetti confetti sphagetti. I'm sorry, I had to say it.)
This part sums it up:
"It must be pretty depressing," Clara added.
"What? Oh..." Sal put the lid carefully to one side, dipped the edge of the stiff brush in. "A little."
"Just a little?"
Sal pressed her lips tightly together for a moment. It was hard to find the words to express these feelings fully. They churned around and were only peripherally focused on the words she was here to paint over.
"It's not... as if I'm unaware that I am a thing," she said slowly. "And that I'll eventually break. It hurts to read because they intended it to hurt. The same thing is less painful when it's just self-awareness. I am already to the stage that I should probably seek out repairs soon, although I don't want to. But the shop is also a thing."
"I think it's a little different..."
"Yes. But what they came in and trashed was the shop. They did it to hurt me, but they hurt it too. Unlike me, it doesn't have any feelings. But I have feelings for it," Sal said.
I found myself not wanting this book to end. It was so sweet and so sad and oh so hopeful - not in the music swelling cue the bawling but in a softer more reserved way.
Book 4: Readathon