2.5*
Le sigh, another book I was certain I would love and didn't quite. The premise was great- I always find the whole "know what day you'll die" thing fascinating. And really, quite a mindfuck. And I enjoy the way it is explored in this story, too. People who know they'll die at certain ages have fully different life experiences, which... wow. I imagine it would make sense! But... what happens when someone misses their deathdate in a world in which that is not a thing that happens?
Well, of course the book explores all of that via three main character/death dodgers, Franny, Court, and Mykal. Here's another fun fact: these three are somehow "connected" in a weird, even creepy kind of bond (we'll get to that.) The beginning (solidly the first half, really) explored this bond, the relationships among the characters, and the world in general. It was a bit boring, basically.
The second half of the book did pick up, as the three tried to secure themselves a spot on a mission into space. Figuring that if they could get off-planet, no one would care that they didn't die when they were supposed to. So it's a competition (a bit akin to Dare Mighty Things, actually) in which a select few will earn this opportunity during a rigorous trial. That part was pretty decent, and the end was actually quite good- some big twists that I definitely did not see coming! There were a few other bits that bugged me during the book:
- I was hoping for way more space antics. There were not many space antics. (This will probably be remedied in future books, however.)
- I honestly felt like not much even happened for most of the book. There was so, so much setup, and like, five minutes of action. I didn't feel like there was enough conflict, and when there was, it was a bit predictable.
- The "bond" started to freak me out. Like- they could ummm "feel" each other while they were bathing, and being intimate and such, and... I won't lie, it grossed me out. Can you imagine? You're in the shower and some dude you just met can feel you washing yourself? Hard pass on that.
But there were good things!
- I did like the characters, in general. While I felt they probably could have been a bit more distinguishable and fleshed out, I liked them.
- The ending was honestly so good it kind of makes me want to read the next one? Even though I was sure up until about 90% that I wouldn't be?
Will I Read the Next Book: I'm going to wait and see. If I hear good things, I presume I will be tempted enough by the ending to go for it.
Bottom Line: Awesome premise, kind of mundane execution. The great last quarter really couldn't fully make up for the first three, but it helped.