You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
A review by wordylocks
The Mimicking of Known Successes by Malka Older
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Cozy Holmesian murder mystery and sapphic romance; let's take that one by one, shall we?
Cozy — check. Also, at 176 pages, a short read as well.
Holmesian — yeeeesssss; I can see how one of the MCs (Mossa) is a bit like Holmes, but it's not so in your face? Also, her Watson (Pleiti) is not just a dump for her brilliance and hold her own like a boss.
Murder mystery — I'd say that if one approaches this solely as a murder mystery, it would be a bit disappointing, not because it's bad, but simply because it doesn't stick too closely to the tropes one expects from murder mysteries. The solution, when it comes, feels a bit rushed, and underwhelming. But see the murder mystery simply as a vehicle for the science fiction, and it's brilliant. I wish I could say more, but that would be giving away too many spoilers. All I will say, is that I love the world building here, and the possibilities that the author teases. I want a sequel, so very much!
Sapphic romance — subtler than I would have liked, but there. I like both Mossa and Pleiti as characters, and it was nice to see them be vulnerable with each other and care for each other, which ultimately is what one wants from a romance, no?
I really enjoyed this book, and my only complaint is that it was too short.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.
Cozy — check. Also, at 176 pages, a short read as well.
Holmesian — yeeeesssss; I can see how one of the MCs (Mossa) is a bit like Holmes, but it's not so in your face? Also, her Watson (Pleiti) is not just a dump for her brilliance and hold her own like a boss.
Murder mystery — I'd say that if one approaches this solely as a murder mystery, it would be a bit disappointing, not because it's bad, but simply because it doesn't stick too closely to the tropes one expects from murder mysteries. The solution, when it comes, feels a bit rushed, and underwhelming. But see the murder mystery simply as a vehicle for the science fiction, and it's brilliant. I wish I could say more, but that would be giving away too many spoilers. All I will say, is that I love the world building here, and the possibilities that the author teases. I want a sequel, so very much!
Sapphic romance — subtler than I would have liked, but there. I like both Mossa and Pleiti as characters, and it was nice to see them be vulnerable with each other and care for each other, which ultimately is what one wants from a romance, no?
I really enjoyed this book, and my only complaint is that it was too short.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.