The Respian Man by Mark & Sarah Kadoshnikov offers a compelling mix of sci-fi and human drama, creating a world that's both fascinating and thought-provoking. The premise of the novel, which centers on Preston's struggles as an Earther trying to survive on the planet Oswella, immediately captures attention. The idea that survival in this new world demands keeping a low profile is intriguing, and the authors effectively develop this concept without getting bogged down in excessive world-building details. This helps to keep the story moving at a steady pace.

The novel is split into several character arcs, but Preston’s story is by far the most gripping. As a man diagnosed with MS, Preston’s internal and external struggles form the emotional heart of the narrative. The way his physical condition intertwines with his survival in this alien world is poignant and realistic, adding depth to both the character and the story. His journey to come to terms with his failing body while trying to navigate a foreign society is raw and relatable, making him the standout character of the book.

While the other characters and their perspectives are interesting, they don’t quite hold the same emotional weight as Preston's story. That said, the multiple viewpoints help create a well-rounded narrative and provide insight into different facets of the world the authors have created.

Overall, The Respian Man is an enjoyable read that blends science fiction with emotional depth. The world-building is solid, and the authors' ability to juggle different character arcs makes the book engaging. It’s a bit slow at times, and some readers may find the other characters' arcs less captivating, but for fans of sci-fi with a focus on character-driven stories, this book is definitely worth picking up.

I was so excited about this book when it was first announced, but actually reading it was a disappointing experience. This is one of those unfortunate circumstances where a brilliant story was eclipsed by writing that was not quite up to the task. I only made it about 12 chapters in before giving up--I could tell there was a interesting plot and nuanced characters in there somewhere, but they were obscured by the laborious writing style and the often cringe-worthy dialogue. Another round or two of editing would probably have been able to bring the massive potental to the forefront of the book. This is one that I may try picking up again at a later date, but for now, I have to put it aside in favor of something that is a little less of a chore to get through.

***Thank you to NetGalley and to the publishers for providing me with a digitla copy of this book to review.***

The story starts out down in the dumps. Preston has a shit diagnosis of MS at a young age, a crush he’s to scared to act on, fixated interest in military history and a mother that is leaning hard into Christian faith as a crutch.

Preston is dropped into another world, and promptly into a battle. He also seems to have arrived sans his shitty MS problem. Interesting weaponry that took some googling on my part. Seems like a video game immersion at first but is not.

A case of mistaken identity due to brain swapping. Fun and intriguing.

I really appreciated how unique and different this book was! The world building was a little intense at times, but it was easier to swallow since the main character was experiencing this new world too. Speaking of the MC, Preston definitely grew on me. He seemed naïve and in need of growing up at first, but his character arc throughout the story was very well done. By the end I was smiling at his sense of humor and rooting for his journey as he asked faith filled questions and gave intelligent military strategy in a world he knew nothing about at first. While the military aspects did go over my head at times I still appreciated the attention to detail the authors provided.
Tabby's storyline was also super intriguing to me - I'm definitely interested to see how her character progresses in subsequent books. I also loved when all the POVs came together and am looking forward to seeing how they'll work together going forward!

I found "The Respian Man" to be a delightful read. Its intriguing storyline, blending humor and adventure seamlessly, kept me thoroughly engaged. The world-building is truly remarkable, with added depth from its philosophical themes. The characters are convincingly portrayed and easy to connect with, enhancing the immersive experience. While at times the pace felt a touch fast for my liking, I believe a more narrative-driven approach could have strengthened the narrative. Nevertheless, it serves as a compelling introduction to what promises to be an impressive series.

Imagine if you could live hundreds of years, be physically healed by oxygen surrounding you or have time periodically stop-freezing your environment but you remain mobile and aware. The catch is you leave everyone and everything you know behind you. Would you do it? What if you haven't a choice?
THE RESPIAN MAN is a science fiction/fantasy novel that takes the reader to another world, where it seems miracles can occur. Preston is out in the woods checking on his treehouse when he looses hid compass, ends up in a cave and finally finds himself viewing a battle. Of course, he has always been interested in historic battles, being physically limited. As he is walking around observing everything, chaos erupts around him and he awakens in an infirmary. Soon he finds himself within the inner circles of the war itself. I enjoyed reading the story and finding the added imagery of men and women being virtually the same while retaining a few differences interesting. At times the story does drag on but it is worth reading. I didn't care for the ending as it wasn't really an ending to me, merely a cliffhanger for the next book. Also, I appreciated having some explanations at the end of the story. If you like science fiction and fantasy, mixed with a little reality you should read this.

While I feel this would easily reach its target audience, I was bored. There is definitely potential lying in the pages, it just lacked oomph for me.

The Respian Man is super lovely. Amazing book and amazing plot. I rated it 4 stars. I think you'll love to read this one.