Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.29 AVERAGE
4.29 AVERAGE
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
3.5
You can never know. That is the problem with ignorance. You can never truly know the extent of what you are ignorant about.
...sigh. Okay, I've honestly been avoiding writing my Goodreads reviews for a while because of this book.
I really wanted to love this. And I did very much enjoy it. I just didn't love it. Honestly, I kind of wish Tchaikovsky had focused almost solely on the spider storyline. That half of the book was so furiously compelling I could hardly stop listening. By far, this storyline of the book was the most inventive sci-fi I think I've ever read. It was enthralling to see evolution in action and the flaws and triumphs of an early society. I absolutely adored cheering on and against the spiders as they navigated our own species pitfalls. Where I think the human storyline was successful was in its intersections with the spiders. I enjoyed the woman overlord (I forget her name and am writing this a while in the future) and when the humans made contact with the spiders. I didn't hate the ending desperation of the wayward humans, but I feel like that story has been told better. The cult stuff fell flat for me and just felt tired. I'm unsure whether I want to continue this series or not because I'm dying to know what happens to my spider friends, but I'm not sure I can endure boring human drivel for hundreds of more pages.
You can never know. That is the problem with ignorance. You can never truly know the extent of what you are ignorant about.
...sigh. Okay, I've honestly been avoiding writing my Goodreads reviews for a while because of this book.
I really wanted to love this. And I did very much enjoy it. I just didn't love it. Honestly, I kind of wish Tchaikovsky had focused almost solely on the spider storyline. That half of the book was so furiously compelling I could hardly stop listening. By far, this storyline of the book was the most inventive sci-fi I think I've ever read. It was enthralling to see evolution in action and the flaws and triumphs of an early society. I absolutely adored cheering on and against the spiders as they navigated our own species pitfalls. Where I think the human storyline was successful was in its intersections with the spiders. I enjoyed the woman overlord (I forget her name and am writing this a while in the future) and when the humans made contact with the spiders. I didn't hate the ending desperation of the wayward humans, but I feel like that story has been told better. The cult stuff fell flat for me and just felt tired. I'm unsure whether I want to continue this series or not because I'm dying to know what happens to my spider friends, but I'm not sure I can endure boring human drivel for hundreds of more pages.
4.5 rounded up to 5.
Typically, I'm not a huge fan of so-called hard Sci-Fi, with a few notable exceptions. This book has made it on to my "notable exceptions" list. Although a bit long-winded, this is a fantastic piece of work. The story alternates perspectives every chapter between the humans on the space transport vessel, the Gilgamesh, and an increasingly evolved and intelligent alien species on a terraformed planet. The story necessarily spans several millennia to tell the trials and triumphs of these two different but connected groups. Looking forward to the sequel!
Typically, I'm not a huge fan of so-called hard Sci-Fi, with a few notable exceptions. This book has made it on to my "notable exceptions" list. Although a bit long-winded, this is a fantastic piece of work. The story alternates perspectives every chapter between the humans on the space transport vessel, the Gilgamesh, and an increasingly evolved and intelligent alien species on a terraformed planet. The story necessarily spans several millennia to tell the trials and triumphs of these two different but connected groups. Looking forward to the sequel!
Hard Ciencia ficción, Tchaikovsky me hizo sentir como la primera vez que leí JP y fascinarme con un mundo que por unas horas se sentía real.
This book hooked me from the first page. I am no scientist or tech guru so I was able to enjoy the story without deeply considering details in evolution, viruses, and vast technological advancements by human and spider kind. Instead, I immersed myself in the what if and the world building. The characters were cleverly crafted and I felt myself concerned with and connected with them. I will be reading the next one in the series ASAP!
Compellingly written exploration of humanity's greatest failings
Tchaikovsky delves deeply into the human psyche and its utter inability at collective self-reflection -- or, you might say, its fantastic facility for deluded self-destruction.
Tchaikovsky delves deeply into the human psyche and its utter inability at collective self-reflection -- or, you might say, its fantastic facility for deluded self-destruction.
If there had been some tiny bead present in the brain of all humans, that had told each other, They are like you; that had drawn some thin silk thread of empathy, person to person, in a planet-wide net – what might then have happened? Would there have been the same wars, massacres, persecutions and crusades?
A few weeks back I read a few pages of this lengthy space opera of sorts and my wife asked about it. I told her in my slapdash manner and she replied in confirmation: So, Nietzsche-reading super-spiders regard humanoid refugees as bipedal ethnic cuisine, life pod Uber eats.
My reading paused for a host of reasons, and I returned to this last weekend. I enjoyed it but feel it would have been better served as a holiday book, not something to nosh upon each evening as my bewildered self curled around it seeking stability if not inspiration.
The novel concerns a dying earth--which as a last gamble sends out explorers to poke through the remains of previous terraforming efforts to see if such is sufficient to host an exo-human postscript. Monkeys are sent with an evolutionary nanovirus to accelerate their development-- alas it is the creepy arachnids which become the recipient of this developmental catalyst and before you know it there's airships, chemical warfare and a Gospel According to Trent Reznor. The other plotline concerns this last expedition of human refugees and their proclivity for jihad and mutiny. Tchaikovsky has displayed his zoological and entomology chops before elsewhere and I found this interesting if laborious. Ultimately, he wants a Becky Chambers utopian vision but understands how the libidinal economy derails these higher angels. I kept musing about Nick Land, let's put the rat back in rationality.
special thanks to Natalyia for prodding my lazy ass to read this.
A few weeks back I read a few pages of this lengthy space opera of sorts and my wife asked about it. I told her in my slapdash manner and she replied in confirmation: So, Nietzsche-reading super-spiders regard humanoid refugees as bipedal ethnic cuisine, life pod Uber eats.
My reading paused for a host of reasons, and I returned to this last weekend. I enjoyed it but feel it would have been better served as a holiday book, not something to nosh upon each evening as my bewildered self curled around it seeking stability if not inspiration.
The novel concerns a dying earth--which as a last gamble sends out explorers to poke through the remains of previous terraforming efforts to see if such is sufficient to host an exo-human postscript. Monkeys are sent with an evolutionary nanovirus to accelerate their development-- alas it is the creepy arachnids which become the recipient of this developmental catalyst and before you know it there's airships, chemical warfare and a Gospel According to Trent Reznor. The other plotline concerns this last expedition of human refugees and their proclivity for jihad and mutiny. Tchaikovsky has displayed his zoological and entomology chops before elsewhere and I found this interesting if laborious. Ultimately, he wants a Becky Chambers utopian vision but understands how the libidinal economy derails these higher angels. I kept musing about Nick Land, let's put the rat back in rationality.
special thanks to Natalyia for prodding my lazy ass to read this.
challenging
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Great concept, well-written characters, and a wonderful finish. But I read it for book club, not of my own choice. I thought it moved too slowly and would benefit from some heavy trimming. Also, I'm naturally averse to apocalyptic stories and war stories, so I found it ultimately depressing.
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Absolute perfection, a finely engineered yet eminently living creation. I’ve never seen anything like it. While I think this would work perfectly as a standalone, I’m excited to see where it goes.
I honestly dont know how to rate this one. I was annoyed for most of the book that the story couldn't seem to find its voice between "hard" scifi and lighter fare. The concept and creativity of the universe building and evolutionary concepts was frankly astounding. I'm going to give it 3 stars for being a bit over-long and plodding, but 5 for just plain creativity and I'm still a bit gobsmacked by the whole endeavor. I'm torn between immediately wanting to order the next book in ther series becasue I HAVE to know what happens next, but I almost dont want to have to endure another book to find out.