Reviews

The Quantum Magician by Derek Künsken

malcolm_eckel's review

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

I felt the author had some inventive and interesting ideas, and some meditations on genetic engineering and innate drives that were unique, but the writing wasn’t capable enough to land everything. The tone jumped around, the structure was a pedestrian heist (oh the main character has a secret motivation that gets revealed at the last possible moment? You don’t say) and the characters weren’t as interesting as the book wanted them to be. Alastair Reynolds does a lot of what this book is trying to do in much grander fashion. 

hugyourface's review against another edition

adventurous challenging lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I keep misattributing this to Adrian Tchaikovsky - it’s that epic. Also appreciate our characters’ abilities as being something like neurodiversity. Yes, there are special talents. Yes, they make you something of a freak in the eyes of others. 

zyx123's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

mikeylikzit's review against another edition

5.0

This was a great story. Part caper tale complete with double crosses and triple crosses - part space opera with battles I'd love to see on the big screen.

leflambeur's review

5.0

I give no more than three 5 stars a year so It is high praise. Good, hard sci fi, unique characters and great plot. Recommend.

ted_funsten's review against another edition

4.0

A fun story.

shankargopal's review against another edition

adventurous relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

This was a good and engaging book, but the characters felt thin (constant swearing seems to be one character's defining trait, for instance).  The first half of the book also involved a series of jumps of place that were not adequately explained, and left me somewhat lost.  Having said that, several of the concepts were interesting - especially Homo Quantus - and are developed better in the sequel.  I liked the book overall,  and would recommend it as a quick read for someone interested in a heist movie set in a futuristic universe. 

prof_chronotis's review

adventurous slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

llntmll's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

vakarian's review against another edition

adventurous funny 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? Yes

5.0