Artemis by Andy Weir
*I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Synopsis (from Goodreads)
Jazz Bashara is a criminal. Well, sort of. Life on Artemis, the first and only city on the moon, is tough if you're not a rich tourist or an eccentric billionaire. So smuggling in the occasional harmless bit of contraband barely counts, right? Not when you've got debts to pay and your job as a porter barely covers the rent.
Everything changes when Jazz sees the chance to commit the perfect crime, with a reward too lucrative to turn down. But pulling off the impossible is just the start of her problems, as she learns that she's stepped square into a conspiracy for control of Artemis itself—and that now, her only chance at survival lies in a gambit even riskier than the first.
Review
I always feel a little sorry for an author when their debut becomes such a runaway hit. The Martian was amazing, and I mean, MATT DAMON starred in the adaption. How do you beat that?
Have no fear, Andy Weir has pulled off yet another thrilling high-stakes space adventure. And while similar to The Martian in snarky banter and quick-and-casual physics lessons, this story is totally different and can hold its own.
The book is basically a heist plot, centered around a very well-written, well-rounded female character, Jasmine (Jazz). Weir's writing is so tight and well-paced. I was zooming though with all the action, but it's also filled with some really touching and heart-felt moments.
Weir created some great characters. Jazz is just fun. She's sassy, but smart on her feet. She also has a softer side and is working to redeem who she was in her past. She also has her own moral code and she's honest with herself. There were times that I could tell Jazz was written by a man, just because she did or said or thought things that women just... don't? Or would in a different way? But it was rare and didn't impact her character. The secondary characters are wonderful too and add so much to the story. I liked her relationship with Svoboda, her nerdy Ukrainian scientist friend. He obviously has a crush on her, but he knows she doesn't reciprocate his feelings and respects that, and enjoys her friendship and helps her with no expectation of some sort of favor or payback. SO refreshing to read.
The setting is a very realistic idea of what establishing a settlement on the moon would entail: Big space domes and air filter systems, air locks, people walking all weird due to the gravity differences. Plus tourists and how the economy of Artemis really caters to that.
One thing really shines through in this novel: the diversity. I loved that Kenya is the leader in this space race. They're the ones who have established this settlement. Everyone on the station is from all over the world, and to be honest I don't really remember seeing anyone from the U.S. It's nice and refreshing and WHY NOT? You have white people--from Norway and Canada and Ukraine. But Jazz is Arabic, Brazilians are running the main mining factory, Kenya is in charge of the station, Vietnam runs IT. And all of this is not flouted as "look how diverse this is!", but I think accurately portrays our very diverse world and a possible future community made up of all those people. Besides, even though Jazz comes from Saudi Arabia, she considers the moon as her home, and I think several people in the story also feel that way.
If you liked the Martian and Ocean's Eleven and are looking for a fun, quick, snappy adventure in space, I would highly recommend Artemis!
Available 14 November!
Rating
4.5 stars
Details
Genre: Science Fiction.
Language: Tons. Lots of F-bombs.
Sex: Alluded to, never graphically described or seen.
Violence: Some violence, mildly graphic.
*I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Synopsis (from Goodreads)
Jazz Bashara is a criminal. Well, sort of. Life on Artemis, the first and only city on the moon, is tough if you're not a rich tourist or an eccentric billionaire. So smuggling in the occasional harmless bit of contraband barely counts, right? Not when you've got debts to pay and your job as a porter barely covers the rent.
Everything changes when Jazz sees the chance to commit the perfect crime, with a reward too lucrative to turn down. But pulling off the impossible is just the start of her problems, as she learns that she's stepped square into a conspiracy for control of Artemis itself—and that now, her only chance at survival lies in a gambit even riskier than the first.
Review
I always feel a little sorry for an author when their debut becomes such a runaway hit. The Martian was amazing, and I mean, MATT DAMON starred in the adaption. How do you beat that?
Have no fear, Andy Weir has pulled off yet another thrilling high-stakes space adventure. And while similar to The Martian in snarky banter and quick-and-casual physics lessons, this story is totally different and can hold its own.
The book is basically a heist plot, centered around a very well-written, well-rounded female character, Jasmine (Jazz). Weir's writing is so tight and well-paced. I was zooming though with all the action, but it's also filled with some really touching and heart-felt moments.
Weir created some great characters. Jazz is just fun. She's sassy, but smart on her feet. She also has a softer side and is working to redeem who she was in her past. She also has her own moral code and she's honest with herself. There were times that I could tell Jazz was written by a man, just because she did or said or thought things that women just... don't? Or would in a different way? But it was rare and didn't impact her character. The secondary characters are wonderful too and add so much to the story. I liked her relationship with Svoboda, her nerdy Ukrainian scientist friend. He obviously has a crush on her, but he knows she doesn't reciprocate his feelings and respects that, and enjoys her friendship and helps her with no expectation of some sort of favor or payback. SO refreshing to read.
The setting is a very realistic idea of what establishing a settlement on the moon would entail: Big space domes and air filter systems, air locks, people walking all weird due to the gravity differences. Plus tourists and how the economy of Artemis really caters to that.
One thing really shines through in this novel: the diversity. I loved that Kenya is the leader in this space race. They're the ones who have established this settlement. Everyone on the station is from all over the world, and to be honest I don't really remember seeing anyone from the U.S. It's nice and refreshing and WHY NOT? You have white people--from Norway and Canada and Ukraine. But Jazz is Arabic, Brazilians are running the main mining factory, Kenya is in charge of the station, Vietnam runs IT. And all of this is not flouted as "look how diverse this is!", but I think accurately portrays our very diverse world and a possible future community made up of all those people. Besides, even though Jazz comes from Saudi Arabia, she considers the moon as her home, and I think several people in the story also feel that way.
If you liked the Martian and Ocean's Eleven and are looking for a fun, quick, snappy adventure in space, I would highly recommend Artemis!
Available 14 November!
Rating
4.5 stars
Details
Genre: Science Fiction.
Language: Tons. Lots of F-bombs.
Sex: Alluded to, never graphically described or seen.
Violence: Some violence, mildly graphic.
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