From the very moment I laid eyes on the premise of this story, I knew it was going to be a good read! A mixture of horror and spacey sci-fi was just wFrom the very moment I laid eyes on the premise of this story, I knew it was going to be a good read! A mixture of horror and spacey sci-fi was just what I was looking for, and in return, I got a whole lot more than I initially anticipated.
Contagion starts with a bang and keeps going with a quick and unrelenting pace right up until the finale! It is non-stop action from the get go, and even the slower moments are just a way to pause before building up the thrill and suspense again.
Very easy to read; great characters; practically consumed it in one sitting!
When Earth’s precious metals are mined into extinction, the Corporations, and the people who run them, decided to head out to the Asteroid Belt and miWhen Earth’s precious metals are mined into extinction, the Corporations, and the people who run them, decided to head out to the Asteroid Belt and mine there. But sending a human workforce would be costly and dangerous, so they created the workforce instead...
“We were brought into existence for this express purpose.�
Leila and her fellow clones on Mizushima-00109 don’t remember what came before, they only know they have jobs to do, and that the work is important to their Overseers. But when Leila’s sister, Lily, is found murdered, her interest in quotas wains as she set out to investigate whom in their tiny Asteroid colony killed Lily, and more importantly, why.
I love a good space drama and this book did not disappoint! It was easy to read, with a good cast of characters, and a thrilling, delicious side-dish of a twist. It was also decidedly human. Leila’s ‘voice� was almost childlike in its naivety, but it was incredibly fierce, and stubborn, and independent - she’s my kind of character!
Death of a Clone, is not just a sci-fi, mystery/thriller. It raises philosophical questions about existence, needs, desires, and human rights. And that no matter how much ‘selective breeding� science can give us, you “can’t stop the human spirit taking over. You can’t create personality.�
Thank you to Alex Thomson, Rebellion Publishing, and NetGalley, for an ARC of this compelling book, in exchange for an honest review. Highly recommend!...more
This book was slow to start, but eventually gained enough speed to pique and maintain interest.
There are many aspects that are similar to Andy Weir’s This book was slow to start, but eventually gained enough speed to pique and maintain interest.
There are many aspects that are similar to Andy Weir’s The Martian, which admittedly is what initially drew me to this book, but without the fun science explanations and hilarious Mark Watney-isms. However, had I not read The Martian previously, I might not have understood a lot of the hard science in this one.
The book really doesn’t take off (pun intended) until the crew lands on Mars, which isn’t until about 100 pages in. Then the real action begins. If you can get through the set up, it’s a great read from then onwards.
One Way, while providing an entertaining space caper and an enjoyable murder mystery (albeit a little predictable), also subtly explores the notion of corporate greed and society’s perception of criminals, and the fixation on the behaviour/s that led to incarceration, rather than looking at the circumstances that lead people to commit crimes in the first place.
And the ending, without giving away any spoilers, was very satisfying!
Update 27/08/20 - This book is even better upon re-reading! My original rating was 3 stars, and I’ve raised that now to 4, but I loved it so much during this second read that I’m calling it 4.5. Perhaps it was my frame of mind that inhibited better enjoyment when I read it the first time. Whatever the case, I struggled to put it down this time and I am so excited to get into the sequel! ...more
I love a good space drama, and going by the blurb this one had so much promise.
But it wasn’t what I was expecting, in the end it was okay enough for I love a good space drama, and going by the blurb this one had so much promise.
But it wasn’t what I was expecting, in the end it was okay enough for me to finish it, but not enough for me to want to read the stand-alone sequel. I’m sure it’s me and not the book, but I didn’t really enjoy it. ...more
**spoiler alert** Artemis has a very interesting premise, colonisation on the moon - it’s something the sci-fi genre in both film/television and liter**spoiler alert** Artemis has a very interesting premise, colonisation on the moon - it’s something the sci-fi genre in both film/television and literature have often alluded to. What makes this work for me is Weir’s research and explanations. Sometimes the science can become a little overbearing, but the fact that Weir puts that much research into his work is certainly commendable.
Artemis is also very diverse, from the main character to extras in the background, there’s a richness about it - not everyone is male or white (yay!). Jazz, our main character, is a smuggler, she’s a criminal with morals, she’s the type who you’re barracking for, even though she probably deserves to be punished. She’s Saudi Arabian and a non-practising Muslim - tough feat for a white American man in his 50’s. But somehow he’s pulled it off and created a strong, independent, and likeable character.
Weir’s dry humour comes through in Jazz, and while I’ve read some reviews disapproving of her personality, her sexual activity, and her mind-in-the-gutter humour and that maybe she’d be better off being a man (because it’s more socially acceptable for a man to behave that way right??!!), but I’m glad she’s a woman. I know plenty of women who speak and think just like her - and there’s nothing wrong with that.
The heist: this is where the story lost a star for me. It was incredibly built up throughout the book leading to this moment and suspense was palpable, but to me the final execution was a little anticlimactic, it lost a bit of the suspense and momentum, it was a little too neat.
Overall it was an enjoyable story, but don’t go in expecting The Martian. Artemis is not The Martian, nor is it a sequel, it’s a completely different story. It does not do either book justice to draw comparisons....more
And that’s it. I’ve made it though Adam’s trilogy of five. This instalment most certainly dropped the ball a bit, and the earlier chapters sounded likAnd that’s it. I’ve made it though Adam’s trilogy of five. This instalment most certainly dropped the ball a bit, and the earlier chapters sounded like even Martin Freeman had lost interest.
The last few chapters bring it back up. But having read Eoin Colfer’s continuation in book 6 - I’m not as awestruck and despondent as the first time when reading this book.
I kind of feel like I should watch the movie again......more
My gosh, I’d forgotten how funny this book is!!! I listened (re-read) whilst out walking or on public transport and I swear people around me must haveMy gosh, I’d forgotten how funny this book is!!! I listened (re-read) whilst out walking or on public transport and I swear people around me must have thought I was barking mad! Doesn’t help that my hair can cover my wireless headphones......more
Re-read it this time on Audible. I was looking forward to continuing the Audible series with Martin Freeman narrating, though I wasI love this series!
Re-read it this time on Audible. I was looking forward to continuing the Audible series with Martin Freeman narrating, though I was unsure how it would it go, when Stephen Fry set such high expectations with Book 1.
Well, uncertainty be gone! Freeman (whom I absolutely adore!) did an amazing job and now I’m looking forward to continuing even more. ...more
**spoiler alert** In this book, Lily Brooks-Dalton beautifully weaves two perspectives surrounding a mysterious and possibly apocalyptic event on Eart**spoiler alert** In this book, Lily Brooks-Dalton beautifully weaves two perspectives surrounding a mysterious and possibly apocalyptic event on Earth.
Specialist Sullivan is aboard the spacecraft Aether, with a crew tasked to learn more about Jupiter and her moons. When they lose contact with Mission Control and Earth, the crew have no idea what's happening on their home planet, and can only speculate whilst sliding into uncertainty and depression as they make their way back home.
Augustine has spent his career studying the stars and shunning relationships with his fellow humans. When a mysterious event forces his colleagues to abandon their post in the Arctic, Augie chooses to stay and finish his research. But as his career and life come to their final chapters, and with only his thoughts to keep him company now that he too is cut off from the outside world, he begins to feel regret for the choices that have led him there.
Each perspective leads into the main focus of the story, what has happened on Earth?...more
I once read it twice in 2 months, and have also listened to the amazing R.C. Bray Audible version. I read it at an average oOh how I love this book!!
I once read it twice in 2 months, and have also listened to the amazing R.C. Bray Audible version. I read it at an average of once a year, and seen the movie...oh countless. For my fifth read I decided to try out the repackaged Audible version with Wil Wheaton. I still think Matt Damon will always be Mark Watney, but Wil does a very impressive narration!
Mark Watney is a brilliant botanist, a hilarious hater of disco, and a magnificent space pirate, and though the hard science can be a little difficult to get through, Weir explains everything in such a way that even the most scientifically-challenged person would grasp some of it.
This book, while being decidedly science fiction, perfectly encapsulates the will of the human spirit, the determination to survive, and the way in which people come together during a crisis.
The movie is also brilliant, Matt Damon’s portrayal of Mark Watney was on point. The only negative in the adaptation I have is that they didn’t include Beck’s line of ‘don’t tell anyone I liked it� when Beth kisses his helmet, though now I’ve just taken to saying it myself....more
Re-read it this time on Audible. Stephen Fry is a narration God! Looking forward to continuing the Audible series witLove this book! Love this series!
Re-read it this time on Audible. Stephen Fry is a narration God! Looking forward to continuing the Audible series with Martin Freeman’s narration. ...more
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