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adventureinlit's review against another edition
5.0
For the last several years, I've had a favorite sci-fi book that's always been my go-to, but after reading this, I can comfortably say that this is now my favorite sci-fi book of all time!
Battlefield Earth takes you on a journey in the future where the human species has been drastically reduced to small quantities and returned to a way of living much like the stone age. Earth is populated by an alien species known as the Psychlos who are extracting resources from the barren planet.
One of those Psychlos, Terl, has a grand idea to obtain as much wealth as he can from the planet and use that as his ticket off this wasteland of a planet. But when he captures one of the remaining humans, Jonnie, he gets more than he bargained for.
A true masterpiece of storytelling about a potential future that could actually happen! Hubbard really hones in on unique details about life from both perspectives and immerses you in this world in a way that makes it all feel believable and enjoyable. The struggles of humanity and finding a way to survive against a formidable opposition that has no interest in seeing them survive. I loved it so much!
Battlefield Earth takes you on a journey in the future where the human species has been drastically reduced to small quantities and returned to a way of living much like the stone age. Earth is populated by an alien species known as the Psychlos who are extracting resources from the barren planet.
One of those Psychlos, Terl, has a grand idea to obtain as much wealth as he can from the planet and use that as his ticket off this wasteland of a planet. But when he captures one of the remaining humans, Jonnie, he gets more than he bargained for.
A true masterpiece of storytelling about a potential future that could actually happen! Hubbard really hones in on unique details about life from both perspectives and immerses you in this world in a way that makes it all feel believable and enjoyable. The struggles of humanity and finding a way to survive against a formidable opposition that has no interest in seeing them survive. I loved it so much!
mavis_tully's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
ratingwithears's review against another edition
Writing feels cheap, no deep explanation for exactly what kind of setting these people are in, and the action lumps along in the most forced way. Bland and obvious sentences galore.
abbotsford1234's review against another edition
I read this years ago. No stars AT ALL.
markazarnie's review against another edition
5.0
I brought this book when it tirst came out in the 80s, but could never get more than the first few chapters. Then I got ill and neded something to while away the time, so I started reading it again. I'm now on my 7th copy of it(the rest fell to bits from over reading) and I reread it every 6 months. The first is basically a battle of wits between the twn main characters, and it goes from there. Yes to cal the film a peice of crap is being nice, and L Ron was definately different but this book is good
reading_since_10's review against another edition
5.0
I've listened to the audiobook version of this book.
It was HUGE. I think it was around 50 hours or more.
I enjoyed every minute of it though.
This indeed deserves the word "Saga" in its title.
Whoever watched the movie first will be surprised how different the book is in a lot of parts, I'd say pleasantly surprised.
Not sure if I'd survive this beast till its end had I been reading it.
It was HUGE. I think it was around 50 hours or more.
I enjoyed every minute of it though.
This indeed deserves the word "Saga" in its title.
Whoever watched the movie first will be surprised how different the book is in a lot of parts, I'd say pleasantly surprised.
Not sure if I'd survive this beast till its end had I been reading it.
maggotqueen666's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
midwifereading's review against another edition
3.0
The writing style seemed simple and straightforward, without much fluff. It took a while to get used to the fact that there wasn't much exposition, and I had to be content with knowing about as much as the characters along the way. Hubbard gives just enough to keep you curious, but not enough to tie up every loose end perfectly. Some questions are left imperfectly answered.
A bit cheesy, but enjoyable overall, with a properly evil villain in Terl, and a Fabio-esque hero in Jonnie. The Scots made the book well worth finishing, along with the mysterious small grey man, Ker, and Chirk.
A bit cheesy, but enjoyable overall, with a properly evil villain in Terl, and a Fabio-esque hero in Jonnie. The Scots made the book well worth finishing, along with the mysterious small grey man, Ker, and Chirk.
rkking's review against another edition
4.0
While always curious about this sci-fi epic, for years and years I avoided it due to its supposed connections to Scientology. The AWFUL movie didn't help matters either. But then I came upon having an extra credit available in my audible account, and not having a clear idea of what to listen to next, I chose Battlefield Earth due to the length (a whopping 45+ hrs!) and thought I'd perhaps at least get my money's worth time wise.
I was not disappointed.
Despite misgivings related to Hubbard and Scientology, Battlefield Earth really has nothing in it tying to it. It's not propaganda at all. It's actually a pretty darn good sci-fi epic.
The audiobook in particular impressed the hell out of me. Multiple cast members reading distinctive characters, accompanied orchestral music, and more, all add up to quite the production.
And the story itself I actually really enjoyed...until the half way point.
The first half, the story of mankind's desperate fight against the Psychlos and the cat-and-mouse between Tyler and Terl, were great. But then that story sort of end half way through and become something else entirely, of which I wasn't so much a fan. It got political in ways that reminded me of Star Wars Ep 1 The Phantom Menace, and it's content that bored me.
Due to the amazing production value and really great first half I give 4 stars, but it loses out on the extra star do to the meandering 2nd half that really could have been a second book...if at all.
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I was not disappointed.
Despite misgivings related to Hubbard and Scientology, Battlefield Earth really has nothing in it tying to it. It's not propaganda at all. It's actually a pretty darn good sci-fi epic.
The audiobook in particular impressed the hell out of me. Multiple cast members reading distinctive characters, accompanied orchestral music, and more, all add up to quite the production.
And the story itself I actually really enjoyed...until the half way point.
The first half, the story of mankind's desperate fight against the Psychlos and the cat-and-mouse between Tyler and Terl, were great. But then that story sort of end half way through and become something else entirely, of which I wasn't so much a fan. It got political in ways that reminded me of Star Wars Ep 1 The Phantom Menace, and it's content that bored me.
Due to the amazing production value and really great first half I give 4 stars, but it loses out on the extra star do to the meandering 2nd half that really could have been a second book...if at all.
Join the RK King readers' list for an exclusive FREE short story, plus inside info, musings, promos and more: RK King Writes