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Liked It “Get comfortable, because this is a long book. However, it's a really good read with a fantastic ending. Much like the movie Memento, the book consists of two timelines that converge on each other.” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“A solid science fiction novel, well worth the read.
Travis C wrote this review 10 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I did find that it was really long, small print and over 800 pages, and could have been a little more focused. Hamilton does a good job of doing many set up scenes that are used later in the novel, but there is a lot and I found myself going back in the novel to re-read a scene or two from a few hundred pages back just to understand who the character was I was reading about.
Also, there was quite a lot of adolescent wish fulfillment in this novel, almost to the point of silliness. At the same time, I enjoyed it, but not from an adult, thoughtful place, but from a childhood, emotional place. Fun, but not particularly deep or complex.”“Get comfortable, because this is a long book. However, it's a really good read with a fantastic ending. Much like the movie Memento, the book consists of two timelines that converge on each other.”
Kevin J wrote this review Wednesday, September 23 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A very good stand alone novel. Lots of good tech and settings with a believable future for humanity if a bleak one. I like the ending especially, the story never quite goes where you expect it to.”
Michael H wrote this review Sunday, September 13 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“An enjoyable read, but lacking on the hard sci-fi element that enjoyers of Alastair Reynolds' space operas contain. It felt to me like a bit of a 'fast food' read between heartier books, but I enjoyed the time reading it. Not great, but definitely good enough. ”
Nik U wrote this review Saturday, July 4 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“The first of his books that I have read and, in my opinion, one of the best sci-fi books available.
dan m wrote this review Wednesday, April 22 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
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“Good story that covers a lot of ground... Some plot holes, but they don't stand out on first read.. One of my favorite Hamilton books.”
mtrcycllvr wrote this review Tuesday, April 7 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A little too long in some parts, but overall a very good book”
Ahmad F wrote this review Thursday, April 2 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Very long, 814 pages, but generally worth reading, though I was just a bit disappointed with the ending after all that work. The author pulled a rabbit out of his hat, but he did a fairly decent job of it.
Gary K wrote this review Tuesday, February 10 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
The basic plot follows a young man's rejection of his heritage, to be a planetary executive on one of Earth's colonies, for a career as an interplanetary mercenary. Lots of battles but not too much blood and guts as the author details the development of the central character. I had a bit of trouble following parts of the complicated plot, and a bit of trouble believing it as well. ”“The book starts off a little slow and takess a while for you to get into it but after the first couple of hundred pages the story really gets going and becomes incredibly interesting. The story is usual Hamilton, in that he shifts the narrative a lot although there are fewer main characters in this book than his others, mainly just Dense and Lawrence. Although a lot of people disliked the ending a lot, it didn't really bother me that much, I guess I'm a sucker for a happy ending. At times the book seems to have a little filler, but overall it is well deserving of its 800 page length. Definitely read if you are a fan of Hamilton or Space Opera in general.”
John wrote this review Sunday, August 24 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Enjoyable space opera brain candy.
Mark W wrote this review Thursday, April 10 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Contained in a single volume which from Hamilton is kind of rare. I recommend this for anyone new to Hamilton's writing so they can get a 'feel' for his style and level of quality before launching into his other series of books (which are excellent fun IMO).
Hamilton can balance the soap opera dramatics and science fiction elements of his stories very well. He always includes several science fiction elements in this stories and gets them to intertwine interestingly while the action filled plot churns.
His other, longer series of books have painstakingly detailed and seemingly complete universe settings to take place in which I appreciate and enjoy - the man puts in a lot of effort to dress his sets before his characters show up & trash the place.
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