Mike Pearce

Not super useful unless you live in the US, but informative nonetheless.

This book didn’t really know where it was going. Lots of stories from folks with various neurodivergent lives, which helps with feeling like you’re not alone, but not really a lot of practical help. Certainly not a guide on thriving in world that’s not designed for you. Unless you pay to go and get help.

Loved this book. The premise is good - a bit lockdown trite, but a great read nonetheless.

It’s also been a long time since a book made me actually cry real tears wet on my face. Those last few pages melted me.

Bravo.

Much like Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, this book had a ridiculous ending that was not even remotely influenced by the characters who should have been influencing them.

Abi and Costa went to Oxford to die. They didn't need to. The outcome of the book would have been the same had they visited Flo, then gone home and read a book.

Marvin needn't have spent some much angst fixing the piano, he could have just done it and then had a nice glass of whiskey to celebrate. He had no baring on the outcome of the book.

Flo should have just gone to Chard as soon as Costa arrived.

Everything that happened, aside from making the plane and the plans for the plane (which none of the protaganists had a hand in - they didn't even know), after Costa left the Spire had no bearing on the outcome of the novel.

Which is a huge shame, because I really enjoyed the book right up to the pointless ending. The world building was excellent, the characters had depth and I really felt for them. The aliens really worked well and the bad guys were disgusting (in a good way - well written and made me mad at them).

The story itself was good too. But the whole thing was let down by the ending.

I'll probably read another Massimo Paradiso book (which is a cool name btw), but I can't really recommend anyone read this.

This was a fun, easy read. Reminsicent of Blackout/All Clear by Connie Willis, but much less hard sci-fi and a lot more fun.

The MC is brilliantly written, with just the right smattering of breaking the fourth wall.

Looking forward to digging into the rest of the series!