Alexandra Almeida (1)

What a great way to open a new sci-fi series! Looking for a queer sci-fi that captures your imagination and draws you in with unforgettable characters and an excellent plot? This is it. Almeida weaves the story around you, and before you know it, you're deep in a tale that touches on many issues that society faces today, in a way that hits home without being overwhelming. The diversity in the characters was wonderful, and is at a level that you rarely see. The plot moves along smoothly and keeps you turning pages from cover to cover. I cannot wait to see what book two has in store!… (mehr)

Enjoyed the multiple POVs and seeing each character from different perspectives. I related to Tom/Shadow right from the start. Having lived through depression and being a person who is, in general, an idealist, his journey felt real, even if there is more of it to come. Second to me were Storm and Thorn. There is something about their rage that reflects the times we live in now. I want to see more of Thorn's arc going forward, but that is clearly planned given the preview of book 2. I have to say, Stella is super annoying, in an entertaining way, and I laughed every time I was in her head. I look forward to more prick and preppy confrontations and more? The worlds are vast, loved what I saw, want too see more. Thank you SFBookClub for a copy of the book.… (mehr)

e existential dread feels real and appropriate given the advancements in AI. The contrast between a young Tom and the Shadow he becomes is well executed so is the trauma he experiences. The strength of this book are the unique characters and their relationships and the themes explored. The girls are a lot of fun, and the queer romance an excellent representation on how to write LGBTQI characters right. The themes confronted could easily go wrong and fall into tropes, but they never do. Yes, some of the characters struggle with life, but the underlining thread that pulls this series forward is one of hope and idealism. I liked how the world building is connected with the characters and their traits, and look forward to exploring more of Spiral Worlds and its history. My only complaint is that It's a series starter, however based on book one I trust the author to answer the questions that remain open regarding the past and the five days remaining until the end of the worlds. I liked the narrative structure a lot. It''s unusual, but starting in the middle of the history and going back to fill the gaps added more weight to the backstory as we already know how things will end up.… (mehr)