First off, I loved the voice in this novel. Jacob is snarky and fun and has an easy rapport with the AI grafted to his brain (who also happens to be his former chief, Mimi). The dialogue is fast-paced and often hilarious, making for an enjoyable read despite the rather shallow characterization of some of the supporting characters (for example, I couldn’t for the life of me distinguish between Jenkins and Fuse, two dim-bulb guys on Jacob’s crew).
The plot was mainly action driven with a lot of blowing things up and fighting, but there were enough inventive surprises thrown in to keep me interested. Although we do get some background into the Orthocracy, some sort of now defunct despot leaders, the Mars presented seems more like a wild west sci-fi setting than a true dystopia - think the TV series FIREFLY (and if you are a fan of that, you should love this). Jacob even reminded me a bit of Captain Mal (with a body to match).
4 Zombie Chickens!
BLACK HOLE SUN just came out in hardcover on the August 24th. Find out more about the book at the author's website, and read an excerpt at the publisher's website.
Annnnnnd now, for the giveaway! I have one hardcover copy up for grabs for my readers in the US, curtesy of HarperCollins. I'll keep this open until September 6th at 11:59 pm CST. To enter, just leave a comment with your e-mail address.
See index of all dystopian reviews on Presenting Lenore
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ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a very interesting book,I would love to read it/
ReplyDeleteseriousreader at live dot com
I love your blog. This book sounds like a winner!
ReplyDeletejavaintheam at hotmail.com
blog:
http://textnjava.blogspot.com/
Dying to read this one. I read the opening pages on Amazon and it looks great.
ReplyDeleteebriggs23 at gmail.com
I've heard such great things about this book. Thanks!
ReplyDeletemrsderaps @ hotmail . com
Sounds like an awesome read!
ReplyDeleteshalleemcarthur [at] gmail [dot] com
Sounds awesome.
ReplyDeletejeremymwkelly at comcast dot net
I would love to read this one!!
ReplyDeleteapril dot toman at gmail dot com
I've only seen the first episode of Firefly, so I don't know if that's enough to form an opinion. I think I'd like to give this book a try though, especially since I love science fiction.
ReplyDeleteakreese (at) hotmail (dot) com
sounds good! love the dystopian novels :)
ReplyDeletekmgraha2 (at) mail (dot) usf (dot) edu
I'm looking forward to this one!
ReplyDeletecharlotteslibrary at gmail dot com
Woot that sounds cool!
ReplyDeletechristianchick52 at gmail dot com
oooh, must....read....
ReplyDeletewho knows? maybe it will help cure my post-panem disorder? ;)
I've been intrigued by this book ever since I learned that Suzanne Collins blurbed it! :D
ReplyDeletestephxsu at gmail dot com
I have SUCH a thing for Mars! True story :D
ReplyDeletekemendraugh at gmail dot com
Ooh, if this is Firefly-like, I'm so in! :)
ReplyDeletejpetroroy at gmail dot com
I've been considering getting this one - I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeletejax1204[at]gmail.com
Yay! I actually just picked this one up over the weekend. I'm glad to see you liked it. :)
ReplyDeleteI am really interested in this one. I love Firefly and space westerns! Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteahsturgis at mindspring dot com
I loved Firefly and thought that Mal was really cute. He is doing this mystery series now, but I don't watch it. I also love the title to this book, and think all the snarkiness sounds really fun. It's too bad that the secondary characters aren't really that fleshed out, but it sounds like it really makes up for it in other ways. I'd love the chance to win a copy, Lenore, so please do enter me in your giveaway!!
ReplyDeletezibilee(at)figearo(dot)net
This book sounds so good! I know I'd love it and I'll bet my 13 year old would too.
ReplyDeleteI saw this in the bookstore the other night and almost picked it up! (Went with Forest of Hands and Teeth and The Maze Runner instead.) I'd love to get a copy to continue feeding my dystopia kick!
ReplyDeletes.t.kankowski at gmail.com.
This one looks so good! Great review.
ReplyDeletealexreadsbooks at gmail dot com
Alex
Sounds like another interesting book :)
ReplyDeleteYou have an award on my blog here.
Am I the only one with Chris Cornell singing in my head?
ReplyDeleteAPSkap (At) comcast (dot) net
I am dying to read this book!
ReplyDeleteako4eggs [at] comcast [dot] net
Sounds great! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleted.septer(at)insightbb.com
I thought the other characters were very easy to tell apart. One is short and mouthy and blows things up. The other is big, goofy, and shoots things. What else does a guy need?
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds great! Thank you for reviewing it.
ReplyDeletewheems01 (at) gmail.com
I can't wait to read this one!
ReplyDeletejanawarnell(at)hotmail(dot)com
I love dystopian novels. Count me in for this one.
ReplyDeleteNely
bookwormygirl{at}gmail.com
Whether I win or not, I love your blog..and especially this last month of Dystopian books. You made forming my reading list easy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the hard work.
Su
This sounds like a great book - and I have not heard of it. Thanks for the recommendation. I would love to be entered into the contest!
ReplyDeletekennifernjenny(at)gmail(dot)com
Anything that's compared to Firefly has got my interest. Count me in, please! :0)
ReplyDeleteThanks!
librarygrinch at gmail dot com
I'd love to read this, thank you!
ReplyDeletetexas_gal45(at)hotmail(dot)com
Sounds really interesting.
ReplyDeletePlease enter me in the giveaway.
justpeachy36@yahoo.com
Oh lovely! I want to read this, since Collins gave a good review, along with yours. Also has a neat cover.
ReplyDeletejmeyse@gmail.com
Sounds cool!
ReplyDeletecassy_the_teen @ yahoo . com