themoonwholistens's Reviews (698)

I think this is more of a "it's me not you" kind of thing. i didn't get sucked into the book and into the world as usual. Not that this book is by any means bad or anything but it just wasn't for me.

I was interested at first but it just didn't get me in the end :(( i'm actually pretty saddened by this because I have heard a lot of positive comments about this book.

(but don't get discouraged, it might just be me!! this book has a lot of potential)

Following Joe Palermo’s travels and life while in Japan felt like a pleasant mini adventure that was thoroughly enjoyable. The writing and narration felt like a friend was telling me about a place that recently went to.

As a traveler myself that has also visited Japan, I was able to relate to some of his experiences with the people but there were still some things that I had not been aware of prior to reading this. However, there wasn’t a lot written about the sceneries and natural environment in Japan aside from a brief mention of Nara park which was one of the things that I was looking forward to.

— overall thoughts: 3.75 —

But personally, my favourite parts of travelling is when I get to experience the everyday lives of the people living there and No Pianos, Pets or Foreigners! was a great example of that.

I did not get that much depth and insights on the personal level. This felt more like a combination of short stories that you would tell a friend that you have not seen in a long time but you aren’t particularly close to. There is no romanticization on the Japanese culture and, like I said, highlighted some of the things that I already knew about said culture. I think it’s important to know this before going in but it was realistic. It was obviously written from the point of view of an American.

With that, I was still very intrigued and it was mostly what I expected from it aside from the lack of environment representation. Listening to the audiobook, there definitely isn’t any fancy sound effects and the narration was pretty flat but it didn’t hinder my enjoyment that much. Though, I think that a touch of Japanese music or something from their culture either at the beginning or at the end, or perhaps just a soft meolody at the background would have done wonders.

If you are already someone who is curious and fascinated with the Japanese culture this would be an enjoyable, easy time.

— I received this audiobook at no-cost from Audiobook Empire. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it. —

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mind is: blown. I felt like I was constantly trying to figure every character out but also I was just in for the ride.

I have to say that while I hated Aurora Rising, this book was a lot more immersive and has better writing in general (how are they written by the same people??) And the audiobook performance really is A+

If you like fast-paced, tense, emotional, and thought-provoking sci fi stories with strong themes about familial/platonic/romantic love, you will enjoy this.

“It’s not the bullets that kill you. It’s moments like these. One piece at a time.”

— overall thoughts: 4.5 —

It’s written like Daisy Jones & The Six for the first part: through a series of interviews about something that happened; then shifts to the present and everything gets wild. Literally one after another.

There’s humor and a romance… that I didn’t hate it…. I actually shipped them whoops

The world building is more structured and more descriptive that Aurora Rising. It didn’t feel like i was expected to know everything that was going on. It just felt like I had to piece together a puzzle.

Someone please tell me if Aurora Rising and this series are related or they just both call humans(?) Terran.

“Perhaps bravery is the face humanity wraps around its collective madness.”

The fact that katie and ezra had such a well established chemistry even though they were not even physically together for most of the story completely blew me away. I was so invested in their relationship. I think the reason that I didn’t feel like it was some kind of insta-love was because we knew that they already met before chaos happened.

It’s thought provoking. Especially since we have an A.I. character somewhere. Ethical concerns are put into play with the chaos that’s always heartbreaking interesting to read.

And even though not much history for each character is given and we’re mostly just living in the moment chaos, I was too engrossed by their dynamics and the fast paced plot. Not to mention the unique writing style that lived up to my expectations and more.

I probably would not have enjoyed this as much if I read it fully with my eyeballs (physical or ebook) because the audiobook really just is a whole experience. Highly recommend the audiobook.

I stayed up until 4am to finish this and I’m just happy that this was more than some teenage space love affair.



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PRE READ:

I literally just removed this from my TBR pile but after listening to a sample of the audiobook I don't think I can pass it up XD might read it just because of the production

“anything I had wished for, on those long-ago, solitary nights with only the stars for company. A dream still unanswered—but not forever.”

[REVIEW NOT FOUND] My review for this was so cringey. But yes Rhysand is the only reason I read this series.

"To the stars who listen and the dreams that are answered"

ON HOLD @21%

I'm sorry, will try to get back to this in the future but my brain can't process the plot right now :((

I love Matthew Fairchild and all of their little character relationships

extra star for that HeronStairs moment

3.75

for making me cry