Show threadMatthewJul 16, 2023

@bookstodon I've only read Aestus myself (I loved it so much I wrote my own *very* spoilery review: https://fediverse.blog/~/TheBeastAtTanagra/Book%20review:%20Aestus,%20by%20S.%20Z.%20Attwell - I've got spoiler-free reviews on my Bookwyrm too if anyone hasn't read but is curious, link in my profile) so I have no comments on the others - please add yours if you've read any of the finalists!

I feel it's really important to promote this kind of stuff in the fediverse.

https://thespsfc.org

#SPSFC #SPSFC2 #ScienceFiction #SciFi #Bookstodon #Aestus

Book review: Aestus, by S. Z. Attwell

Felt like writing a bit of a longer piece covering my thoughts about Aestus Book 1: The City and Book 2: The Colony, by S. Z. Attwell. This is basically all spoilers.

MatthewJul 14, 2023

Felt like writing some of my thoughts about Aestus, by S. Z. Attwell. This is basically all spoilers - I have spoiler-free reviews on my Bookwyrm.

As Aestus Book 1 is a finalist in the SPSFC competition this weekend, I felt it was a good time to write something more detailed about why I love these books.

https://fediverse.blog/~/TheBeastAtTanagra/Book%20review:%20Aestus,%20by%20S.%20Z.%20Attwell

@bookstodon @bookreviews

#Aestus #SZAttwell #SPSFC #SPSFC2 #AmReading #Books #ScienceFiction #SciFi #ClimateFiction #Bookstodon #BookReview

Book review: Aestus, by S. Z. Attwell

Felt like writing a bit of a longer piece covering my thoughts about Aestus Book 1: The City and Book 2: The Colony, by S. Z. Attwell. This is basically all spoilers.

MatthewJul 14, 2023

Book review: Aestus, by S. Z. Attwell

Felt like writing a bit of a longer piece covering my thoughts about Aestus Book 1: The City and Book 2: The Colony, by S. Z. Attwell. This is basically all spoilers.

https://fediverse.blog/~/TheBeastAtTanagra/Book%20review:%20Aestus,%20by%20S.%20Z.%20Attwell/

Book review: Aestus, by S. Z. Attwell

Felt like writing a bit of a longer piece covering my thoughts about Aestus Book 1: The City and Book 2: The Colony, by S. Z. Attwell. This is basically all spoilers.

MatthewJul 1, 2023
I neglected to cross-post my review of Aestus Book 2 over here on Calckey.

In summary this second book is excellent - if you loved Book 1, you'll love this (feels like one big book in two parts). And I very much loved Book 1.

It has been a month since I finished the two books and I keep thinking back over them in my head, they had such an impact - I have many more thoughts about the books that I should probably write another review!

I miss that world so much, I'm quite taken aback by how it got into my head - it's a rare experience for me to become this absorbed in a world.

I've read a lot of science fiction over the years - it's my favourite genre - and @szattwellauthor is easily one of the best I ever read. I really can't recommend her books highly enough.

I can't wait to read what she writes next.

#AmReading #Aestus #SZAttwell #ScienceFiction #SciFi #ClimateFiction

RE: https://bookwyrm.social/user/picard/review/1690643
BookWyrm

Social Reading and Reviewing

MatthewMay 21, 2023
I just finished reading Aestus Book 1: The City by @szattwellauthor. It was incredible. Totally blew me away - could hardly put it down, struggled to sleep thinking about it, so good. I rarely describe anything as 'awesome' - it's often used in quite a hyperbolic way; but, in this case, I am in awe.

There's so much I want to write about this book, so many thoughts running through my head the last few days, but I don't want to spoil the experience for anybody by giving away any details.

The first thing that struck me is how well written the characters are. This author has a real talent for writing genuine, believable characters. I feel sure many of them must be real people she knows - all the little moments that she captures just bring them to life so vividly. Just get such a sense of familiarity from them. It's a very human story, with people front and centre.

The pacing is spot on - there's never a dull moment, nor a scene that passes too quickly; the action is tight, intense and exciting; the story is incredibly compelling and an absolutely fascinating take on a plausible future for our species. And there is so much subtlety in the writing - a wealth of small details that just bring the scenes to life and provide a sense of depth and place; it's quite masterful stuff. This is an author who really understands her craft.

It absorbed me so much that reading this book has taken up all my free time for the last week. This one is really special - if you've got any interest in speculative science fiction works, I strongly recommend it. Started on Book 2 immediately after finishing Book 1 - it's taken me a few days to write my thoughts on Book 1, and already halfway through Book 2; my opinion has certainly not changed. Safe to say I'm loving it so far too!

#AmReading #Aestus #ScienceFiction #SciFi #ClimateFiction
MatthewApr 18, 2023

Read a really fun little short story from author @szattwellauthor on here.

Found myself smiling the whole way through, just an enjoyable time.

Made me really excited to read her Aestus novels (the science fiction universe in which this story was set).

This story is on her website here:

https://szattwell.com/2023/04/07/short-story-thompson-ellis-and-patrol/

#AmReading #ScienceFiction #Aestus

Short story: Thompson, Ellis, and Patrol

A side fic from the Aestus fictional world Thompson plunked himself down on the ground and reached for the cookies. He grabbed two and stuffed them in his mouth. Ellis yanked the tin away. Thompson…

S. Z. Attwell
JarulfFeb 23, 2023

Currently reading #Aestus Book 1 : The City by @szattwellauthor and really enjoying it. I've read about a quarter of it, so there's still a lot left. Hints suggest further development, but I almost hope I'm at least partially wrong. Or that things are a little bit more complex than my current impression.

But, as I said, definitely enjoying it so far.
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