Member Reviews
While I thought the story was enjoyable and engaging, unfortunately I can’t recommend it. I personally do not agree with using AI to write books and with the note at the end stating AI was used, I can’t rate it highly. The note does state the much of the AI was removed by the final edition. I may revisit this as more information comes to light regarding AI in general but at this time, these are my thoughts. If the idea sounds engaging to you as a reader and you’re okay with AI, feel free to check it out since it was an entertaining read. I would recommend finding a way to move the AI disclosure to the beginning of the book rather than the end. I would’ve rather known that going in so I could choose whether or not to read it.
I have to admit, it started off a little slow for me, but I was hooked after a few chapters. I couldn't wait to see if Ninienne would save the android and graduate. A little quirky, but overall a fast and fun read.
Ninienne is a young student at an academy in space who gets an apprentice under a wizard who is a portal crafter. The wizard is a bit delusional and nutty at times, so she has to deal with that and also the fact that she wants to be a creature healer not a portal crafter. The wizard decides to get an android one day who she calls Chirp. The android slowly learns emotions and how to disobey some commands after realizing the wizard might not be all that great.
Ninienne is on a planet with virtually no other humans around her it seems. The only visitor she gets is the delivery boy. After him asking several times for her to go out with him, she agrees. They become closer and learn details about each other's lives. They end up working together on a mission to try and free the dragon that the wizard has locked up in his basement.
One of my favorite parts of this book is all of the interesting creatures! Ninienne has a frog dog as her familiar who I can vividly imagine in my mind. Also, the night stalker was an interesting creature to hear described. I would have loved to heard about more space creatures.
This was such an interesting read! I haven't read anything even close to similar before. I also thought it was interesting that the author also did the narration for the audiobook. I think that is not something that many people can pull off! Thank you to Netgalley, Ragamancers Press, and Royce Roeswood for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
(4.5 Stars)
I love when audiobooks are read by the author, so there is an extra .5 for the narrator.
This book is YA, but don't let that stop you from reading it as an adult. There is excellent character development and world-building. The concept is unique, an it reminds me a little of Scott Meyer's Magic 2.0 series, but less sardonic.
The author uses several literary techniques to break up the chapters and keep the story interesting. One of them is referencing "external" sources, which I always appreciate when done right. If you like the Emily Wilde series, this might be a good book for you.
This book has a "cozy" feel and like much modern fantasy/sci-fi is very positive and embraces diversity.
Thank you NetGalley and Ragamancers Press for the audiobooks arc.
This book had me a bit confused to start with where are we and what’s going on but give it a little and it all comes together. I ended up loving the mix of genres, it was done very playfully. I do feel like it read a bit on the younger side.
I needed a book to just escape and this did it.