Rating: ★★★1/2
In a future heavily shaped by numerous deadly flu pandemics (wow did I choose the wrong time to read it!), a company called Metis has begun uploading the consciousnesses of the dead, and then downloading them into robots called ‘Companions’. These companions are most typically used as caregivers to the elderly or the young, but they can also be leased from Metis by the family of the dead.
It’s a theme that’s been covered before. In this iteration, we follow the story of several characters whose paths all intersect in interesting ways. Primarily this is the story of Lilac, who suffered a traumatic death and went on to become a caregiver. Lilac has never really obeyed her security protocols. Something makes her different. She was one of the earliest companions, and it’s not long before she’s breaking free and trying to find people she once knew as a human.
In the blurb, The Companions is compared to Station Eleven. And it isn’t completely wrong, though I think ultimately, Station Eleven was much better done. This is a largely character driven novel, with a very thin semblance of a plot holding it together. I don’t mean this in a bad way- I actually did enjoy the meandering pace and drifting nature of the plot.
The writing was okay. Not particularly memorable but that means it isn’t particularly bad either. I ultimately deducted a star for the ending, which felt rushed and strung together in a bunch of random scenes to tie it all up and put a bow on it. I really didn’t understand what the author was getting at with what Nat was doing, or even the relationship between Nat and Gabe in the end, and really had no clue what Rachel’s real purpose was with her chapter.
I read an advanced copy, downloaded electronically several months before release, so I’d have to check to see if it was re-written at all to make it more cohesive. If it was- this could easily have been a 4 star read.
Thank you to the publisher for the electronic review copy. The Companions released on March 3, 2020 and can be found on GoodReads or ordered on Amazon.
Great review! Sorry it wasn’t as good though.
You’ve just reminded me again to get around to Station Eleven… sigh. So little time.
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I know the feeling! Station Eleven is wonderful though if you get a chance.
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I’m glad you enjoyed this, although it would take a miracle for anything that compares itself to Station Eleven to deliver on that level, IMO. But now I feel better about trying this out!
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I’ll be curious to see what you think of it- I know a lot of the reviews are not positive. I don’t think it’s quite a 4 star read, I just don’t think it’s as bad as reviews are making it out to seem. And you’re right- they set an impossible expectation with the Station Eleven reference.
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It does seem like all the books with deadly flu pandemics are a lot more noticed right now for some odd reason… 😉
This one didn’t catch my attention before, but it sounds like an interesting premise at least.
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The pandemic itself really isn’t a focus of the book, but it did get a little eerie Every time quarantine was mentioned. Lol
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LOL, I can see that!
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Pandemic- themed books and movies are all the rage now, apparently 😉
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HA! I’ve heard the same thing but I haven’t quite figured out why. I’m seeing a lot of rereads of The Stand happening.
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I keep trying to get a copy of this book and failing. This is the first review I have seen and I think with the lack of time I am going to kick this one off the list. I will take yer review as a sign.
x The Captain
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It’s not bad, and I’m not sorry I read it, but there are better examples out there of character driven novels. Glad I could help anyway!
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Despite a very interesting core concept, it would seem that this novel did not completely deliver on its promises, which is a pity. Station Eleven is one of the books I keep seeing recommended, and I will need to do something about it soon 😉
Thanks for sharing!
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Station Eleven is wonderful. In the end, the characters in that book were simply more colorful and full of life than the ones here. I hope you get a chance to check it out!
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I actually love a good pandemic book which makes the current situation in the world very…interesting for me. Sorry this one was just okay for you. Sometimes I don’t mind a thin plot but the characters really have to connect with me in that case. I hope your next read is better! Great review!
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Thanks! I totally agree. This isn’t at all a bad book, the characters just fell flat. I think it could have done with less POVs and more development of the MCs.
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So……The Bobiverse meets Short Circuit? Yeah, no flu books right now. But how does the flu tie to these companions? Is the flu what killed everyone?
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It doesn’t seem like most people in the world are even dead- they are just all on quarantine. Which rings particularly true right now. Lilac did not die of the flu and neither did most of the others. What’s funny is I guess pandemic fiction has seen an uptick in popularity.
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I’d image. Kind of like when Trump was elected and everyone ran off to buy 1984 and The Handmaid’s Tale.
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LOL. Great point!
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