Reviews and Comments

Has its ups and downs, as a compilation is wont to do. I like Goldberg's style and rhythm as a crime writer, though.

The quick, sardonic writing style is engaging, and its examination of the feelings of being ostracized (especially in adolescence) is strengthened by relatable nuance. The pacing left much to be desired, but I felt it was worth the wait.

Unfolds Murderbot’s “personality” through another engaging mission with pesky moral decisions. Watching it make another robot friend is endearing and amusing, while continuing Wells’s deft exploration of character.

Twists together a couple of fun capers with a lot of Sherlockiana, and maybe a handful too many twists. The chapters get shorter and shorter—jumping between the 21st century and the turn of the 20th, between Sherlock’s fans and his creator—and sometimes an entire chapter is just an awkward exposition dump, and then back into the wormhole! Moore handled it more elegantly in The Holdout. The overview of Conan Doyle’s creative process and talent is delicious, however.

An absolutely vital read, giving a first-person look at the transgender experience that de-mystifies the feelings and the details somewhat for the reader who hasn’t lived it while offering encouragement to those who have. Amanda’s story is a bit rose-colored at times—an intentional choice by Russo and a good fit for the YA style—but still offers much to learn about prejudice, ignorance, and self-discovery.

Much like The Onion, it's harder for Hiaasen to be ha-ha funny when reality keeps encroaching on the territory previously held by outrageous satire. This one’s still a lot of fun, thanks to a winning protagonist and a plot that ties its disparate zany stories together more adroitly than some of his books.

A sweet and genuine origin story, chronicling the platonic affection between a murderous cyborg and a transport ship (it’s much more poignant than it sounds). With all the wisecracks and shoot-em-up space plots, Murderbot might be easily dismissed as a clever gimmick, but Wells writes with genuine heart and a fun examination of the emotional experience of artificial intelligence. The books are joyous, quick, and charming.

Moore unfolds an intriguing setup of intertwining stories reminiscent of Agatha Christie, set against a backdrop of systemic judicial racism which lends a certain immediacy to it all. The plotting is expert, and the writing drills into fascinating conundrums concisely with a deft blend of wit and procedure. It’s a shame the ending isn’t as tight and satisfying as the rest, but it still makes for a very compelling read.

Haddon’s characters dare you to like them, and for the most part I never managed it. The pacing is uneven, and the decision to cycle through limited third-person narrators at random doesn’t help. Haddon invites us to laugh at his characters as their nervous actions dig them deeper into misery, but it’s such a mean-spirited laugh it’s hard to join in.

Brosh’s extremely accurate descriptions of long-term depression would be a lot harder to read (and darn near impossible to smile at) without the charmingly terrible drawings and self-effacing goofiness. It makes for a soothing read in these trying times, and further validates my decision never to own a dog.

An entertaining mystery and caper, hosted by the most charming asocial robot this side of Marvin the Paranoid Android. I’m lucky I read this out of order; having peered into the future in Network Effect, it was easier to weather the uncertain ending of Murderbot’s first adventure.