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travelgirlut's review against another edition
3.0
Overly descriptive in parts about things that didn't really matter in the grand scheme of things, but entertaining all the same. There's really nothing new here if you've read any of the other books in the series.
metaphorosis's review against another edition
3.0
I don't understand why this isn't the Chase Kolpath series, rather than the Alex Benedict series, since while Alex is the guy in charge, it's Chase that the books are about. In any case, while just as friendly and readable as McDevitt's other books, Echo isn't the best of the series. Perhaps, as with the Priscilla Hutchins series, McDevitt has simply run out of steam towards the end.
Echo is a good mystery story in the tradition of the Benedict series, but it suffers from a couple of defects. First, it sets up what seems a token effort at Chase-Alex conflict, which brings a welcome uncertainty into the book, but which McDevitt never really commits to. Second, the book has Chase and especially Alex pursuing an investigation at a very high cost - so high that not only is it not really credible, but it succeeds at the difficult task of making our heroes a lot less likeable. The book doesn't really recover from that.It means that while I have the next book in the series, Firebird, on my shelf, I'm less excited to read it.
Finally, the final reveal and denouement don't really fulfill the promise of the early chapters. They could have been successful with a different lead in, but here, it's a bit of a disappointment.
If you're a serious fan of the Benedict series, by all means, buy this - you'll enjoy, even if it's not your favorite in the series. If you're new to the series, go back to A Talent for War or Polaris and start there. If you've sort of enjoyed the series, but not loved it, skip this and go one to one of McDevitt's other excellent books - try Eternity Road or The Engines of God.
Echo is a good mystery story in the tradition of the Benedict series, but it suffers from a couple of defects. First, it sets up what seems a token effort at Chase-Alex conflict, which brings a welcome uncertainty into the book, but which McDevitt never really commits to. Second, the book has Chase and especially Alex pursuing an investigation at a very high cost - so high that not only is it not really credible, but it succeeds at the difficult task of making our heroes a lot less likeable. The book doesn't really recover from that.It means that while I have the next book in the series, Firebird, on my shelf, I'm less excited to read it.
Finally, the final reveal and denouement don't really fulfill the promise of the early chapters. They could have been successful with a different lead in, but here, it's a bit of a disappointment.
If you're a serious fan of the Benedict series, by all means, buy this - you'll enjoy, even if it's not your favorite in the series. If you're new to the series, go back to A Talent for War or Polaris and start there. If you've sort of enjoyed the series, but not loved it, skip this and go one to one of McDevitt's other excellent books - try Eternity Road or The Engines of God.
kidcolorado's review against another edition
4.0
Fun summer read; not crazy about one of the reveals at the end.
trhines23's review
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
sdramsey's review against another edition
4.0
This made great travel reading--I need good distractions when I fly and this novel was engrossing and enjoyable. I always enjoy McDevitt's books.
jamietr's review against another edition
4.0
Another delightful Alex Benedict mystery. This one was more of a page turner than [b:The Devil's Eye|3076046|The Devil's Eye (Alex Benedict, #4)|Jack McDevitt|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1267757492s/3076046.jpg|3107075] and I felt at times like I literally couldn't put down the book. It's hard to say much about the story without introducing spoilers, but if you like stories about the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence, cover-ups, space travel and good old detective work, then you must read ECHO.
vailynst's review
4.0
Notes:
The first half was really well done! The last half needed to be longer. Sheesh. =P
The first half was really well done! The last half needed to be longer. Sheesh. =P
wingedpotato's review against another edition
4.0
Another excellent Alex Benedict mystery. While some may find this one more pedestrian than the others in the series, I was still riveted by the larger cosmic questions and the internal conflict of the narrator that had been building through the other books. Good stuff.
frater's review
5.0
The best Alex Benedict book yet, as pure curiousity leads Chase and Alex into a mystery that some don't want solved - the mystery of what happened on a tour to an unknown solar system 28 years ago, and why are some people willing to kill to keep it quiet.
Chase and Alex continue their now-typical investigative style, shooting around the galaxy trying to find evidence that is in suspiciously short supply. Chase continues to deal with her ambiguous feelings towards Alex and the work they do, resulting this time in their parting ways for a time. In the end however, her conscience wont allow her to walk away without learning the full truth as like Alex, this time she is unable to deal with not knowing.
This book does see some, albeit small, changes in personal circumstances for the characters. If the characters in this series have any real flaw it is that they tend to remain static from book to book. In this one, Chase in particular goes through a personal crisis of faith, but in the end nothing really changes for her.
As always, where McDevitt shines is the quality of his overall narrative. Once again we have an excellent story, well told and well written, with likeable characters and a satisifying epilogue.
Chase and Alex continue their now-typical investigative style, shooting around the galaxy trying to find evidence that is in suspiciously short supply. Chase continues to deal with her ambiguous feelings towards Alex and the work they do, resulting this time in their parting ways for a time. In the end however, her conscience wont allow her to walk away without learning the full truth as like Alex, this time she is unable to deal with not knowing.
This book does see some, albeit small, changes in personal circumstances for the characters. If the characters in this series have any real flaw it is that they tend to remain static from book to book. In this one, Chase in particular goes through a personal crisis of faith, but in the end nothing really changes for her.
As always, where McDevitt shines is the quality of his overall narrative. Once again we have an excellent story, well told and well written, with likeable characters and a satisifying epilogue.