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carrerabooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I was enjoying the book and it had a fun Mass Effect feel, being based around a crew on a ship and eventually going on an expedition.
The characters are all generally unlikable, but that seems intentional. The main character is very tough for me to ever want to support, personally, but he isn’t the worst person ever.
I enjoyed the way the science was handled for the most part — one small hiccup early on (said there were no EM readings, then said there were radio waves a few paragraphs later (which are EM spectrum) and later seemed to clearly know that it was an EM reading. But overall, what hard science was included felt done well and one of my favorite parts was the “Pure Fucking Magic” quip from one character. Great balance that doesn’t hurt the story at all.
SPOILERS AHEAD/light ranting lol
There’s also some things I wish Alex had slightly more curiosity to look into within the other characters — what’s with the obsession with Chen? Sure, I can make my own psychoanalysis but it seemed like he was kind of being built for some bigger piece in the puzzle. Also, near the end we see more weird indications about Talia and her experience at Bahgrev — but no full answers!! :(( I’d love for her character to have less mystery in that aspect.
I felt like the ending really was not my style. Sure, the main character finally develops to be slightly less pathetic and has a big moment. But there’s so much tension on this journey and never having to see any of it come about on the Adamura as he reports it is a let-down, and maybe avoidant of the real consequences that should occur (which if I had to guess could be very intense due to possible infection, the hysteria experienced by his whole crew, and more). Ending it that way is I guess great for the main character, but feels like a disservice to the characters that were killed along the way (and hopefully Chen is still alive).
The characters are all generally unlikable, but that seems intentional. The main character is very tough for me to ever want to support, personally, but he isn’t the worst person ever.
I enjoyed the way the science was handled for the most part — one small hiccup early on (said there were no EM readings, then said there were radio waves a few paragraphs later (which are EM spectrum) and later seemed to clearly know that it was an EM reading. But overall, what hard science was included felt done well and one of my favorite parts was the “Pure Fucking Magic” quip from one character. Great balance that doesn’t hurt the story at all.
SPOILERS AHEAD/light ranting lol
There’s also some things I wish Alex had slightly more curiosity to look into within the other characters — what’s with the obsession with Chen? Sure, I can make my own psychoanalysis but it seemed like he was kind of being built for some bigger piece in the puzzle. Also, near the end we see more weird indications about Talia and her experience at Bahgrev — but no full answers!! :(( I’d love for her character to have less mystery in that aspect.
I felt like the ending really was not my style. Sure, the main character finally develops to be slightly less pathetic and has a big moment. But there’s so much tension on this journey and never having to see any of it come about on the Adamura as he reports it is a let-down, and maybe avoidant of the real consequences that should occur (which if I had to guess could be very intense due to possible infection, the hysteria experienced by his whole crew, and more). Ending it that way is I guess great for the main character, but feels like a disservice to the characters that were killed along the way (and hopefully Chen is still alive).
nclarke84's review against another edition
4.0
This prequel to Paolini’s Fractalverse novel ‘To Sleep In a Sea of Stars’ was published refreshingly quickly after the ten year wait of that juggernaut novel.
This time round, we have an entirely different writing style, with none of the flashy lasers and jellyfish-like sentient aliens of the first novel.
I won’t say too much as there are already many great reviews already. I much preferred the story length this time, as well as the discovery and exploration aspect of the book. The incessant THUDS emanating from the ‘mysterious hole’ grated on me towards the later half of the novel, although I suppose this was the idea as it was the same for the characters within (perhaps this would be better in audio form, which I hear is superb). The main character Alex spends the majority of the novel disconsolate with grief, and I would have liked a more satisfying conclusion back on the space ship for him and some answers about the hole and the turtle-like aliens. Wonderful storytelling nevertheless.
I look forward to reading future Fractalverse novels and of course the upcoming return to Alagaesia!
This time round, we have an entirely different writing style, with none of the flashy lasers and jellyfish-like sentient aliens of the first novel.
I won’t say too much as there are already many great reviews already. I much preferred the story length this time, as well as the discovery and exploration aspect of the book. The incessant THUDS emanating from the ‘mysterious hole’ grated on me towards the later half of the novel, although I suppose this was the idea as it was the same for the characters within (perhaps this would be better in audio form, which I hear is superb). The main character Alex spends the majority of the novel disconsolate with grief, and I would have liked a more satisfying conclusion back on the space ship for him and some answers about the hole and the turtle-like aliens. Wonderful storytelling nevertheless.
I look forward to reading future Fractalverse novels and of course the upcoming return to Alagaesia!
bethanymoebes's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cjackson451's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
redeyesinferno's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
grundlbundl's review against another edition
3.0
Disappointing as a prequel to TSIASOS, but very funny as an anti-novel. Everything that can go wrong will go wrong and there is no meaning.
mjbeck20's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
ameliaknudson's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
dennoj's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
elisegmusic's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
A beautiful prequel for To Sleep in a Sea of Stars. A giant hole is discovered on a planet that scientists are studying, a hole too symmetrical and perfect to have been created by nature. A team of four scientists are sent on an expedition to the planet to study this phenomenon.
With four people in close quarters, on an alien planet where they are completely isolated, Paolini does a great job showing us the human psyche. Alex is still grief-torn for his partner who recently died. Pushkin is scared of the planet and the possible aliens who might still be lurking there. Talia is driven, possibly by a religious fanaticism, possibly by her dark past, to get as close to the hole as possible. These characters get in each other’s hair, argue about religion and philosophy, and tension builds the closer they get to their destination.
A great read if you like sci fi, space travel, and delving into human nature.