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tricapra's review
3.0
Started really strong, had kind of fizzled for me by the end. I thought the world building aspects were very good, but felt frustrated by the protagonist's personality. The Mara was one of the best parts for me. I'll be attempting more C.S. Friedman in the future, I think.
paweljw's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
drjagrier's review
5.0
My favorite book by this author. The pace is good, the characters are engaging, and the overall premise is very intriguing. It is not without flaws, but they are few compared with the tight storytelling. The book is a bit of a genre cross - a sci-fi book with just a whiff of fantasy, it still feels entirely grounded.
ppigg81's review
4.0
Great concept, well done but falls short of great. Many parts are confusing, maybe pieces were cut...
shane_tiernan's review
3.0
So this book was kind of a conundrum. It was really long, but didn't "feel" really long. At the same time it was kind of dry (often the case with sci-fi, in my experience) and slow, but I never really felt bored reading it. The concept was interesting, but not mind blowing, and it wasn't filled with tons of new ideas (which is what I usually love about sci-fi).
So I think that puts it solidly at 3 stars for me.
So I think that puts it solidly at 3 stars for me.
thinde's review
4.0
I didn't enjoy this book as much the second time around. Naturally, the mind-blowing concepts had already done their damage, what was left was the story of a freedom fighter trying to overthrow a tyrannical regime.
If you read science fiction for the big ideas, you'll not want to miss this one. In particular, the social and psychological impact of differing biologies is well explored. And in one case, the evolutionary response to a cyclically disastrous environment leads to a unique alien species. Good stuff.
If you read science fiction for the big ideas, you'll not want to miss this one. In particular, the social and psychological impact of differing biologies is well explored. And in one case, the evolutionary response to a cyclically disastrous environment leads to a unique alien species. Good stuff.
katmarhan's review against another edition
5.0
A grand world and time-spanning tale, and yet a very intimate story of what it means to be human.
Friedman writes truly alien aliens and worlds, a tight and complex plot, with thought-provoking, sometimes chilling, themes.
Highly recommended.
Friedman writes truly alien aliens and worlds, a tight and complex plot, with thought-provoking, sometimes chilling, themes.
Highly recommended.
casella's review
3.0
A fun, fairly engrossing read. A vampire, an alien shapeshifter, and enslaved humans fight the hive-mind reptiloids that conquered them all. Pacing is a little uneasy. Main character is well-done. The attempt to make vampirism and shape-shifting "scientific" falls pretty short, as do many elements of the alien biologies and planets. Final bit of pivotal action felt very rushed, like the author was just trying to wrap it up. Overall a fun read.