justiceofkalr's review against another edition
3.0
Okay, this book was a cool concept but had a lot of issues. First off, the chapters are so short and there are so many various characters that you never really connect to any of them. In fact I spent most of the time trying to remember who all the assorted people were and why they were important. It didn't help that many of them were returning from The Peripheral, which I read a while ago and didn't really remember much of. I don't remember this being marketed as a sequel when I first heard about it, but it definitely is and you definitely would be helped by knowing all the characters from the first book. That aside, not a lot actually happens. Most characters simply do what they're told and the ending is rather anti-climactic. So between the poorly developed cast and the sketchy plot, this book was a bit of a let down. Which is frustrating because I was so excited about the concept. Argh!
aquaphase's review against another edition
5.0
One of the most delightful things about reading a William Gibson novel (aside from keeping track of all the name-dropped brands) is watching each story thread come to a common, woven, conclusion. This is done quite deftly in Agency: the blending of timelines and alternate futures folding right into an adventure that really had me examining my concept of the fictional representation of artificial intelligence.
As he has been for decades, Gibson is a master at weaving mythical technology into the familiarity of human interaction and emotion. I just hope the next novel doesn't take another six years to enjoy.
As he has been for decades, Gibson is a master at weaving mythical technology into the familiarity of human interaction and emotion. I just hope the next novel doesn't take another six years to enjoy.
grid's review against another edition
5.0
This is a world (or worlds, really), that I will be happy to inhabit as many times as Gibson decides to put me there. I think the peripheral had more new and interesting ideas, but this was a bit faster paced, and less intentionally confusing. (That last, I’m not sure whether it’s a pro or con.)
michaelwong's review against another edition
3.0
At some point, the cool banter runs out of gas. This, maybe his best dialog yet with his "oops I thought I was on mute" moments, made it about 3/4 through.
His anticlimactic climaxes are admirable in Cohen Brothers way, but this time just too unsatisfying. The balance between excitement and deadpan reached a much better balance in #1.
Lacks the color and imagery of #1: plastic island, animated tattoos, prehistoric dogs. Not his fault, 2017 just isn't that flashy and the Oakland fab shop his very hip, but just not as juicy a read.
Fun that it's set in San Francisco. Though disturbing the SF has become such a parody of itself that Gibson could nail it with what seems such apparent ease.
As an aside, I feel like Clinton wouldn't have been the savior Gibson sorta painted her as. Too bad Agency want set in a Bernie stub ;)
His anticlimactic climaxes are admirable in Cohen Brothers way, but this time just too unsatisfying. The balance between excitement and deadpan reached a much better balance in #1.
Lacks the color and imagery of #1: plastic island, animated tattoos, prehistoric dogs. Not his fault, 2017 just isn't that flashy and the Oakland fab shop his very hip, but just not as juicy a read.
Fun that it's set in San Francisco. Though disturbing the SF has become such a parody of itself that Gibson could nail it with what seems such apparent ease.
As an aside, I feel like Clinton wouldn't have been the savior Gibson sorta painted her as. Too bad Agency want set in a Bernie stub ;)
faesissa's review against another edition
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
aetx's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.0
bae0fpigs's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-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? No
3.75
nakedsushi's review against another edition
Well, I tried to read this after the New Yorker profile on him, thinking I *might* like this book, but I just can't finish it. It's exactly why I don't usual read Gibson: the ideas and setting are great, but the actual writing, people, and dialogue annoy me. Something about the way he writes women rubs me the wrong way.
tehlanna's review against another edition
2.0
I picked this up because the synopsis intrigued me, but I had a hard time following the story. I’m going to have to try this one again I’m the future, because not much of it made sense to me.