Renn

A Deeply Personal Story

Reviewed: 06-07-25

This book reminds me strongly and favorably of The Long Way to a Small Angry Plant by Becky Chambers, in that it is a story that could really take place in any time or setting. It is the characters that dominate the plot. That is not to say that the world building is lacking. It feels like a fully lived in world, and it is rare to have such an academic focus on a magic system considering they are so often set in schools.

I am continually blown away by Emily Tesh's understanding of character. I look forward to meeting whoever she introduces to me next.

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Disjointed

Reviewed: 05-07-25

This story does not know what it wants to be. The main character is supposedly an academic, but spends very little time exploring this new world in a particularly inquisitive way. He spends more time doing generic military sci-fi gunfights, which while fun lack the weight I was hoping for out of the premise. The character interactions are where this story real suffers. Everyone just sort of hates each other for no discernible reason, only to then banter like old friends for a couple lines, then back. Again, disjointed is the word I would use. I think Santiago would have made for a more interesting MC.

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An excellent continuation of the serise

Reviewed: 03-04-25

Alexis is back, and still managing to find trouble in the most innocuous of places. This seems to mostly be a bridge between TQP and the next major arc, but it is a fun adventure with good charicture moments.

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Marshmallow Filling of a series

Reviewed: 11-07-24

This series suffers from a serious lack of direction. The mc is fun and likable and the world is interesting when the author chooses to focus on it, but that is just a distraction from the fact that very little of the plot is relevant. The story happens around the McDonald’s rather than be driven by her. It is incredibly frustrating seeing interesting plot hooks appear, and then cut to a different character doing the actual story. Even more frustrating is when the author seems to just forget about a plot hook all together. It is very evident that it was published chapter by chapter. I don’t know why they didn’t run an editorial pass when it was published as a complete book series. I made it half way through book 3 before I gave up.

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I loved this stories complex protaginist

Reviewed: 03-13-24

Kyr is like if Azula was the main character of The Last Airbender, and I am here for it. The book takes a very stark, but hopeful look at systemic abuse and indoctrination. Honestly this is one of the best sci fi I have read in a long time.

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A Fun Ride

Reviewed: 05-26-22

This is far from John Scalzi’s most compelling books, but it is so much fun to read. If you liked Agent to the Stars you will like The Kaiju Preservation Society.

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1 person found this helpful

Really Fun Premise

Reviewed: 04-18-22

I have read quite a few books in the LITRPG genre, and this has to be one of the best. The characters are fun and engaging and the game like mechanics were handled very well. Unlike many other LITRPGs we weren’t bogged down with huge status menus, which well informative, can really break immersion when listening to the audio book version. The one criticism I have is that it sometimes feels a bit rushed, but if I am correct in my assumptions this was mostly done to skip past many of the more well established conventions of the sub genre so the author could get to more original material. I can’t wait to find out if I am correct in book 2!

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A Solid Narrative Telling of History

Reviewed: 03-27-21

This book constructs a solid narrative detailing the evolution of the various American identities held in different times and places, starting in the lead-up to the American Civil War, and ending after WW1. It takes on the point of view of a few key figures in shaping the popular perception of that identity, including historians, novelists, and political figures and activists. Taken with the authors theory of American multi national identity outlined in his earlier work, American Nations, this book does a fine job illustrating how those reginal differences have been put aside in the national understanding of America.

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2 people found this helpful

Another great story from Naomi Novik

Reviewed: 10-02-20

Didn't put it down from the first word. It's 7 in the morning now.

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4 people found this helpful

That went right off a cliff

Reviewed: 02-29-20

The set up in the the first two books is completely wasted on this dumpster fire of a conclusion. I don't think I have ever been so disappointed in the conclusion to a story.

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