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habeasopus's review against another edition
2.0
The payoff came...eventually. How this man founded a religion, I'll never know. His writing is at once slow and sophomoric, despite what should be an exciting race to save humanity. The intergalactic financial scheme really made it all worth it though!
saldragski's review against another edition
3.0
2.75 stars. An alien race, the Psychlos, have devastated the earth and killed off about 98% of the population. A human learns the secrets of that race of aliens to conquer them.
Way too long and should have been a trilogy. Some contrived action and somewhat "really?" characterization, but suspenseful at times also. Took 55 days to read it.
What was very interesting was the author interview at the end (he's the creator of Scientology) and the "music" that he wrote for the book (poems actually - no musical score).
Way too long and should have been a trilogy. Some contrived action and somewhat "really?" characterization, but suspenseful at times also. Took 55 days to read it.
What was very interesting was the author interview at the end (he's the creator of Scientology) and the "music" that he wrote for the book (poems actually - no musical score).
battykat's review against another edition
5.0
Great book. READ THE BOOK. Don't bother with the 'movie'.
simonkenteriksson's review against another edition
4.0
Really fun book, 10/10 would read again.
Felt like real sci-fi, you don't need an explanation for everything -> "It's the future!".
Loved it!
Felt like real sci-fi, you don't need an explanation for everything -> "It's the future!".
Loved it!
circus_of_damned's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The audiobook really enhanced and improved the story. The production really added and took what was a very drawn out story. This was three separate novels in a series formed into 1 very large book. The Scientology theories and beliefs were scattered throughout the story. L. Ron Hubbard didn't hide that he added those beliefs. The story was enjoyable, but the audiobook I think was a major reason why.
pye_1971's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.25
travelgirlut's review against another edition
5.0
I love this book and have read it multiple times. It's one of my guilty sci-fi pleasures. I love books where humankind rediscovers their lost, more advanced past. Just don't watch the movie; it's not as good.
russk's review against another edition
3.0
This is the first book I’ve read by L Ron Hubbard. I picked it up from the library because years ago I saw the movie on late night television and it was terrible. Everything on the internet told me the book was much better. I’m not familiar enough with Scientology, Dianetics, or Hubbard’s other work to make any comparisons so I’m looking at just the story on its own.
This 1000 page epic takes place 1000 years after an alien invasion wipes out most of humanity. The conquering Psychlos mine natural resources from the earth while humans are relegated to a few sporadic and small tribes. One tribesman is Jonnie Goodboy Tyler, who sets out from his village in the Rocky Mountains to learn more about humanity’s past and about the demons who have taken over the planet. A lot of apocalyptic sci-fi would be depressing. What sets this apart is its optimism. Even after an alien apocalypse, Hubbard puts faith in the humanity’s overall goodness and their drive to make the world a better place.
The villains are the most compelling characters. The main antagonist is Terl, a Psychlo officer. A lot of the book is told from Terl’s perspective and includes his constant scheming against other characters. The story isn’t just about humans trying to rise up, it’s a satire of corporations, politics, even finance. The cruelty and selfishness of the villains is also the source of most of the humor. I compare it to the characters in “House of Cards.” They’re so confidently wrapped up in their own schemes that they’re blind to how others are working against them.
What’s also on point is the world-building. Hubbard keeps adding lore to the universe right up through the epilogue. He covers the technology, language, history, and culture of every society - human and alien.
The problems with the story are the same ones that lots of sci-fi stories have.
First, Jonnie Goodboy Tyler is a hero. Not your classic Joseph Campbell hero, just a hero hero. He’s honest, curious, caring, driven, and humble. He’s strong, clever, and almost always one step ahead of his enemies. He’s the immaculate hero children pretend to be when playing in the backyard. In other words, he’s boring.
Also, the book treats its female characters like garbage. Since the story satirized politics and business, I kept waiting for the story to reveal a similar commentary on gender, but it didn’t. It’s totally sincere. The women are portrayed like Victorian-era housewives who are too fragile to participate in war, money, or politics. In this universe and apparently all 16 universes, females exist to cook, cry, and be secretaries.
And so the story plays out like a video game, like Legend of Zelda. The reader steps into the shoes of the hero as he tries to escape dungeons, solve puzzles, outsmart villains, and save the princess.
The book is compelling and kept me entertained for weeks. But it has some of the best aspects and worst aspects of classic science fiction.
This 1000 page epic takes place 1000 years after an alien invasion wipes out most of humanity. The conquering Psychlos mine natural resources from the earth while humans are relegated to a few sporadic and small tribes. One tribesman is Jonnie Goodboy Tyler, who sets out from his village in the Rocky Mountains to learn more about humanity’s past and about the demons who have taken over the planet. A lot of apocalyptic sci-fi would be depressing. What sets this apart is its optimism. Even after an alien apocalypse, Hubbard puts faith in the humanity’s overall goodness and their drive to make the world a better place.
The villains are the most compelling characters. The main antagonist is Terl, a Psychlo officer. A lot of the book is told from Terl’s perspective and includes his constant scheming against other characters. The story isn’t just about humans trying to rise up, it’s a satire of corporations, politics, even finance. The cruelty and selfishness of the villains is also the source of most of the humor. I compare it to the characters in “House of Cards.” They’re so confidently wrapped up in their own schemes that they’re blind to how others are working against them.
What’s also on point is the world-building. Hubbard keeps adding lore to the universe right up through the epilogue. He covers the technology, language, history, and culture of every society - human and alien.
The problems with the story are the same ones that lots of sci-fi stories have.
First, Jonnie Goodboy Tyler is a hero. Not your classic Joseph Campbell hero, just a hero hero. He’s honest, curious, caring, driven, and humble. He’s strong, clever, and almost always one step ahead of his enemies. He’s the immaculate hero children pretend to be when playing in the backyard. In other words, he’s boring.
Also, the book treats its female characters like garbage. Since the story satirized politics and business, I kept waiting for the story to reveal a similar commentary on gender, but it didn’t. It’s totally sincere. The women are portrayed like Victorian-era housewives who are too fragile to participate in war, money, or politics. In this universe and apparently all 16 universes, females exist to cook, cry, and be secretaries.
And so the story plays out like a video game, like Legend of Zelda. The reader steps into the shoes of the hero as he tries to escape dungeons, solve puzzles, outsmart villains, and save the princess.
The book is compelling and kept me entertained for weeks. But it has some of the best aspects and worst aspects of classic science fiction.
sobolevnrm's review against another edition
2.0
Overly-long bad sci-fi book; wouldn't have finished it if I hadn't been on a long flight.