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jpw447's review against another edition
I DNF'd this book, having read 300/460 pages of it. I really wanted to like it, but I couldn't bring myself to. The first novel left open the question of Sarah, returning to Harlan's World, and what Kovacs would do having going through his experiences on Earth.
Instead, none of that gets addressed, and the first novel is only acknowledged in passing twice, with nameless characters. My open questions weren't considered, and it was initially hard to get into the new setting, but I managed it.
The key problem is the distinct lack of drive in this book - the events of the first book have such purpose and clearly form part of the big conspiracy Kovacs unveils, and the world building is smattered throughout perfectly. With this novel, the end goal is very clearly established, and it feels like it takes *forever* to get anywhere.
I wanted answers to my questions, and got none, and I found it really hard to care about this new plot. The world-building is more ham-fisted, and the plot is just waiting for the characters to get on with it without really feeling like there's anything mysterious to unveil. I enjoy Morgan's writing and his style, but only when it's supported by a driven story. 4/10
Instead, none of that gets addressed, and the first novel is only acknowledged in passing twice, with nameless characters. My open questions weren't considered, and it was initially hard to get into the new setting, but I managed it.
The key problem is the distinct lack of drive in this book - the events of the first book have such purpose and clearly form part of the big conspiracy Kovacs unveils, and the world building is smattered throughout perfectly. With this novel, the end goal is very clearly established, and it feels like it takes *forever* to get anywhere.
I wanted answers to my questions, and got none, and I found it really hard to care about this new plot. The world-building is more ham-fisted, and the plot is just waiting for the characters to get on with it without really feeling like there's anything mysterious to unveil. I enjoy Morgan's writing and his style, but only when it's supported by a driven story. 4/10
nearlyrandom's review against another edition
2.0
Altered carbon created such an amazing universe. A human can now be transferred to knew bodies as a download. You can wake up on a distant planet in the future. Just great sci fi.
With Broken Angels I feel like Richard K Morgan tried too hard to make the book different. While altered carbon feels like a high tech crime noir, Broken Angels feels more like a military drama. The book might be fine on its own, but I felt like it was a let down with respect to Takeshi Kovacs story.
With Broken Angels I feel like Richard K Morgan tried too hard to make the book different. While altered carbon feels like a high tech crime noir, Broken Angels feels more like a military drama. The book might be fine on its own, but I felt like it was a let down with respect to Takeshi Kovacs story.
bfpierce's review against another edition
3.0
Loved Altered Carbon but really didn't get into this one. Doesn't flow as well or have the same feel
rajue's review against another edition
5.0
Marsianische Archäologie und anderes geiles Zeug! Morgan ist der Beste!
emnii's review against another edition
4.0
I have a lot of love for Altered Carbon, and Broken Angels doesn't disappoint.
mykulldee's review against another edition
3.0
Slower start than Altered Carbon. It moves away from the detective/murder mystery motif and is more a general adventure. Reminds me of an Indiana Jones adventure somewhat. It's picked up after the first 100 pages.
branch_c's review against another edition
3.0
Extremely polished writing and some very cool SF speculations, as I remember from Morgan's earlier book, Altered Carbon.
Kovacs is a great POV character, written clearly enough that you think you know him well, yet he can still surprise you by doing something that's unexpected, while, on reflection, logical.
I could have done without quite so much of the graphic violence and other stuff that added to the overall "grittiness" of the story. Well-written though they were, I enjoyed those scenes less than the rest of the book.
Overall, enjoyable for the smart concepts and smooth writing; at some point I could be in the mood for more from Morgan.
Kovacs is a great POV character, written clearly enough that you think you know him well, yet he can still surprise you by doing something that's unexpected, while, on reflection, logical.
I could have done without quite so much of the graphic violence and other stuff that added to the overall "grittiness" of the story. Well-written though they were, I enjoyed those scenes less than the rest of the book.
Overall, enjoyable for the smart concepts and smooth writing; at some point I could be in the mood for more from Morgan.
zach8vb's review against another edition
5.0
A little slow to start, but all in all another excellent romp with Takeshi Kovacs.