This review was originally posted on my blog and is written in that manner.
The difference between a good book and a mediocre or awful book is the amount of time that seems to be involved. A great book will fly by until you find yourself at the last page not wanting to read the last paragraph because it will be over. Last week I read one that I had to struggle to finish. Fortunately, a good book much like a cold beer on a hot summer day will find you at the end of it surprised that you are already done and thats how this book was. I will freely admit that Other Systems isnt a love it so much Ill read it over and over yearly book; however it is a good book that covers some disturbing subjects.
I received a request to read this book and participate in a blog tour for it, but to be clear I dont receive any compensation for anything I write here. Since I found it to be a good read Im going to give the lady her due and hook the links up on the right in my links list so you fine people can find it without too much trouble.
As far as Im concerned whats listed in the official synopsis doesnt quite give the flavor of the book. In my opinion what the synopsis describes is the actual build up for where the story really begins, the background if you will. For me the action part of the story really began at the last line of the synopsis where she joins the planetary survey team.
I have no idea at this point why the author chose to begin this story in quite the way she did, but maybe well find out. As part of the blog tour there will also be a Q&A section following the review when I publish it on July 6th as part of the tour, but I havent done that part yet. Today is June 19th and Im writing while it is fresh. Today, having just finished the book I have no idea why she went the way she did with the story, but in the end I would have to say it worked out fine. It is not only a story about awakening to a similar yet divergent culture where it seems things have gone terribly wrong, but a coming of age story for Abby who becomes an explorer of both the universe and who she wants to be. Its a story about how families are not only born, but made from the friends we collect and keep throughout the journey of life.
Some of the beginning is pretty dark. That it is dark didnt bother me at all. As it turned out to be partially a story about coming of age and acceptance that was done pretty well while out exploring alien landscapes and a different culture, in some ways I kind of think it is a shame that its not a book I would be able to share with too young of an audience due to some of the subject matter. Nevertheless, it was a good read. I truly enjoyed the story of Abbys rise out of servitude and adventurous explorations to strange new planets with the survey team. It flowed smoothly and the story kept my interest enough to leave me wondering about it when I wasnt reading. The characters had depth and were believable. If youre looking for a good story and have a bit of free time you might want to give it a try.
If anyone would like to read the interview I did with the author on my blog it can be found at http://tjhapney.wordpress.com/2013/07/06/other-systems-by-elizabeth-guizzetti/
The difference between a good book and a mediocre or awful book is the amount of time that seems to be involved. A great book will fly by until you find yourself at the last page not wanting to read the last paragraph because it will be over. Last week I read one that I had to struggle to finish. Fortunately, a good book much like a cold beer on a hot summer day will find you at the end of it surprised that you are already done and thats how this book was. I will freely admit that Other Systems isnt a love it so much Ill read it over and over yearly book; however it is a good book that covers some disturbing subjects.
I received a request to read this book and participate in a blog tour for it, but to be clear I dont receive any compensation for anything I write here. Since I found it to be a good read Im going to give the lady her due and hook the links up on the right in my links list so you fine people can find it without too much trouble.
As far as Im concerned whats listed in the official synopsis doesnt quite give the flavor of the book. In my opinion what the synopsis describes is the actual build up for where the story really begins, the background if you will. For me the action part of the story really began at the last line of the synopsis where she joins the planetary survey team.
I have no idea at this point why the author chose to begin this story in quite the way she did, but maybe well find out. As part of the blog tour there will also be a Q&A section following the review when I publish it on July 6th as part of the tour, but I havent done that part yet. Today is June 19th and Im writing while it is fresh. Today, having just finished the book I have no idea why she went the way she did with the story, but in the end I would have to say it worked out fine. It is not only a story about awakening to a similar yet divergent culture where it seems things have gone terribly wrong, but a coming of age story for Abby who becomes an explorer of both the universe and who she wants to be. Its a story about how families are not only born, but made from the friends we collect and keep throughout the journey of life.
Some of the beginning is pretty dark. That it is dark didnt bother me at all. As it turned out to be partially a story about coming of age and acceptance that was done pretty well while out exploring alien landscapes and a different culture, in some ways I kind of think it is a shame that its not a book I would be able to share with too young of an audience due to some of the subject matter. Nevertheless, it was a good read. I truly enjoyed the story of Abbys rise out of servitude and adventurous explorations to strange new planets with the survey team. It flowed smoothly and the story kept my interest enough to leave me wondering about it when I wasnt reading. The characters had depth and were believable. If youre looking for a good story and have a bit of free time you might want to give it a try.
If anyone would like to read the interview I did with the author on my blog it can be found at http://tjhapney.wordpress.com/2013/07/06/other-systems-by-elizabeth-guizzetti/
