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kidgoldenarm's review against another edition
3.0
OMG what an amazing book.
"Hollow World" by Michael J. Sullivan is one of the best sci-fi books I have read in ages.
My TLDR review: "Breaking Bad" meets "The Time Machine" meets OMG SO GOOD JUST READ IT ALREADY! Why haven't you read this already? Why are you still readin this? Go out and read it!
I would like to caution all of you readers to avoid as much information about the story elements and the plot as much as possible. The less you know the better it is. Sullivan does a fantastic job of moving you along at quite brisk pace, and has a deft hand at leading you in directions and thought trails that will make you wonder what you're about to step into next. But never does it feel muddy, protracted, or digressive.
He doesn't cheat. Everything you need to know to setup the ending that will blow your mind is laid out in plain sight from the very beginning of the book.
This is a remarkable book that completely transcends many of trappings and preconceptions about your view of genre fiction as well aspects of life itself.
As eagerly as I loved "Words of Radiance" by Brandon Sanderson, and thought that the only book that could top it for my favorite read of the year so far, I'd say Hollow World wins out in my heart.
So unless "Tower Lord" or "Half A King" tops this book, I'm recommending it as the book you need to read this summer!
"Hollow World" by Michael J. Sullivan is one of the best sci-fi books I have read in ages.
My TLDR review: "Breaking Bad" meets "The Time Machine" meets OMG SO GOOD JUST READ IT ALREADY! Why haven't you read this already? Why are you still readin this? Go out and read it!
I would like to caution all of you readers to avoid as much information about the story elements and the plot as much as possible. The less you know the better it is. Sullivan does a fantastic job of moving you along at quite brisk pace, and has a deft hand at leading you in directions and thought trails that will make you wonder what you're about to step into next. But never does it feel muddy, protracted, or digressive.
He doesn't cheat. Everything you need to know to setup the ending that will blow your mind is laid out in plain sight from the very beginning of the book.
This is a remarkable book that completely transcends many of trappings and preconceptions about your view of genre fiction as well aspects of life itself.
As eagerly as I loved "Words of Radiance" by Brandon Sanderson, and thought that the only book that could top it for my favorite read of the year so far, I'd say Hollow World wins out in my heart.
So unless "Tower Lord" or "Half A King" tops this book, I'm recommending it as the book you need to read this summer!
earlofoaks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
futuregazer's review against another edition
2.0
Old fogey living in the past time travels into the distant future, when he could have jumped forward more easily by stepping into the present day.
Okay, so it's not as simple as that, but the character of Ellis Rogers felt extraordinarily dated and one-note. The fact that he is an old man who grew up long ago is a part of that, but as a 30 year old; the nostalgia that's thrown in doesn't really appeal to me, and though some people still grapple with the issues Ellis grapples with (how to be accepting of children who are different, the march of technology, the loneliness of some old social norms and conventions), they are things that I would like to see more fully fleshed out, through a more complex character, if we do need to explore them again in an old context, rather than a modern one.
Okay, so it's not as simple as that, but the character of Ellis Rogers felt extraordinarily dated and one-note. The fact that he is an old man who grew up long ago is a part of that, but as a 30 year old; the nostalgia that's thrown in doesn't really appeal to me, and though some people still grapple with the issues Ellis grapples with (how to be accepting of children who are different, the march of technology, the loneliness of some old social norms and conventions), they are things that I would like to see more fully fleshed out, through a more complex character, if we do need to explore them again in an old context, rather than a modern one.
sueodd's review against another edition
4.0
Very strange but enjoyable story about a flawed man who builds a time machine and travels 2,000 years into the future, to discover a utopia that isn't quite what he expected. Some good themes are touched upon, like individuality, the nature of love, and the cause of conflict.
davecapp's review against another edition
5.0
For those of you missing the days of classic science-fiction this is a must read. Mr Sullivan takes a simple concept (as did H.G. Wells in 1895) and asks "what would it be like" in the future, and proceeds to send Ellis Rogers 2,000 years down the road to find out. On his journey Ellis Rogers must re-evaluate who and what we are, and what the impacts are of individuals on society - or more importantly societies impact on the individual.
But rather than just a philosophical yarn Mr. Sullivan weaves a solid story line together with engaging characters (both human and non) and and interesting look at how technology and genetics might change our view of everything.
But rather than just a philosophical yarn Mr. Sullivan weaves a solid story line together with engaging characters (both human and non) and and interesting look at how technology and genetics might change our view of everything.
benrogerswpg's review against another edition
2.0
Didn't enjoy this too much.
Not the best book honestly.
Expected better.
Not going to say more.
2.1/5
Not the best book honestly.
Expected better.
Not going to say more.
2.1/5
kodermike's review against another edition
3.0
Tough call with this one - I actually wavered between 3 and 4 stars. It's good, not always great, but good. I think it would be more fair to say it was inspired by Wells' Time Machine than as a direct reboot, but with honest focus that was more on the character and his place in a far future society than on the technology that got him there (a mistake too often made). There is rarely room to doubt in this novel as to which direction the lead character is going to jump, a fact that makes the story comfortable and familiar and occasionally predictable. Having read through most of the Riyria books, I know from experience the author takes some time to ramp to full throttle, which is I think the what left this book a bit lacking. Without the breadth of pages to gain full speed, the book fell a little short for me.
I'd still be happy to recommend the book, especially if you were looking for a fun quick read with a faintly science fiction bend.
I'd still be happy to recommend the book, especially if you were looking for a fun quick read with a faintly science fiction bend.
hana83's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed reading the Hollow World. Definitely a worthwhile, thought-provoking read, a bit reminiscent of The Time Machine by H. G. Wells, yet very different.
Hollow World doesn't spend much time on the physics of possible time travel, but rather on using the futuristic setting as a medium to explore what it means to be human. The reader gets to see the story unfold through the eyes of a most unlikely and conflicted protagonist, Ellis Rogers, a 58 year-old terminally ill man who sets on a life altering journey. So, what does Ellis Rogers discover? Read to find out.
Hollow World doesn't spend much time on the physics of possible time travel, but rather on using the futuristic setting as a medium to explore what it means to be human. The reader gets to see the story unfold through the eyes of a most unlikely and conflicted protagonist, Ellis Rogers, a 58 year-old terminally ill man who sets on a life altering journey. So, what does Ellis Rogers discover? Read to find out.
ninjabunneh's review against another edition
3.0
Ellis has been diagnosed with a terminal illness, his marriage is in shambles, and life is quite disheartening. All isn't lost, however. Ellis has discovered the secret of time travel, built a time travel machine in his garage, and plans to take off into the future. His hope is that someone has discovered a cure for his disease. He divulges his secret only to childhood pal, Warren.
Ellis straps himself into his homemade machine and off he goes. Where he lands isn't like the Earth he once knew.
Ellis is now in Hollow World, a place far into the future. The surface of Earth is left alone and people now primarily live underground. There is no war, no murder, no stealing. People don't tell one another what to do, it's one big harmonious community. Humans don't even look the same as they had when Ellis left home. Not even close.
Ellis's arrival in the future sets off a whole chain of events for Hollow World. I don't mean the good kind. It also brings a rather surprising plot twist that I didn't predict. Well played.
I did lose the love a bit when it came to Ellis himself. He's an older man, which by itself is perfectly fine. Age 58, I believe. However, part of his description notes that he has saggy skin. Once I read that, it's all I saw of him in my mind. This is not the mental image I want.
Of course, I picture him like this.
I don't want to imagine the men in my books as saggy. When a bit of romance was hinted at, all I could picture was bad Grandpa. It completely turned me off to that aspect of the story, and it was a good plot point.
Give me an older male protagonist any day. I just need an image more like this:
Call me shallow, call me a bitch. I won't deny either.
3 Ninja-Bunnehs-Wearing-Bowler-Hats
(Arc received in exchange for an honest review.)
Ellis straps himself into his homemade machine and off he goes. Where he lands isn't like the Earth he once knew.
Ellis is now in Hollow World, a place far into the future. The surface of Earth is left alone and people now primarily live underground. There is no war, no murder, no stealing. People don't tell one another what to do, it's one big harmonious community. Humans don't even look the same as they had when Ellis left home. Not even close.
Ellis's arrival in the future sets off a whole chain of events for Hollow World. I don't mean the good kind. It also brings a rather surprising plot twist that I didn't predict. Well played.
I did lose the love a bit when it came to Ellis himself. He's an older man, which by itself is perfectly fine. Age 58, I believe. However, part of his description notes that he has saggy skin. Once I read that, it's all I saw of him in my mind. This is not the mental image I want.
Of course, I picture him like this.
I don't want to imagine the men in my books as saggy. When a bit of romance was hinted at, all I could picture was bad Grandpa. It completely turned me off to that aspect of the story, and it was a good plot point.
Give me an older male protagonist any day. I just need an image more like this:
Call me shallow, call me a bitch. I won't deny either.
3 Ninja-Bunnehs-Wearing-Bowler-Hats
(Arc received in exchange for an honest review.)
addypap's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book, the story was intriguing and kept moving fast enough to keep my attention. At first I really enjoyed Ellis, though as the story continued on he seemed to be more and more juvenile and even seemed to become more annoying.
The narration was excellent, the characters were distinct and very enjoyable.
The narration was excellent, the characters were distinct and very enjoyable.