Artemis

To start, I guess I should say I have not read The Martian. I honestly didn't even know who this author was, I saw: girl, new adult, space, heist annnnnddd I was kinda sold. When someone at the library recommended this to me I was even more excited, but I gotta say, I wasn't super impressed.

The beginning is quite slow for my tastes. I didn't really get where things were going and I thought much of the information was unnecessary, even for giving misdirection. So, the information and wording can be tough and feel like jargon at times, but this is a sci-fi... they live on the moon, this is something I just kind of expected so I'm not docking points for it.

As for the characters, I loved the diversity. There is a gay couple, the main character was born is Saudi Arabia (I think), there is friend from Kenya, and more. It was pretty cool to see. Yet, I didn't really feel connected to any of the characters and some of the representation is pretty shallow at best. For example, Artemis feels very American, even though it is run by Kenyans and no one actually acts diverse or culturally different from others.
Also, I didn't understand Jaz – sure I'm sure some girls act like her, but it her actions were strange to me at times, as well as the actions of those towards her. Although, I will say that no one ever told her she couldn't do anything so.... plus? More than anything I wish Jaz cared more about people or let the writing portray that so we could learn more about her friends and colleagues. Honestly, I felt like there was more to say about why she needed money, I seriously thought there were multiple things she wanted to do.... seriously, why were the letters to the friend in Kenya even introduced? Just to show Jaz isn't completely heartless and selfish? To show the difference on Earth and Artemis? To showcase Jaz's love life?

The heist! I love a good heist story. Once the heist was underway... things finally picked up. I'm not saying there weren't moments were I wanted things to pick back up, but for the most part I was engaged. I don't understand welding terms though, so there ended up being parts I totally skipped and some elements were introduced that honestly I ended up skimming. Soooooo kinda interesting, but considering everything that went down, a bit too HEA for me. I just don't see how the ending is possible.

Honestly, while writing this review, my rating has gone down a whole star. I probably won't read anything else by this author, but I do see the good qualities and aspects which could draw in readers, so I will recommend this to space sci-fi readers who like political intrigue, heists, and an anti-hero MC.