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danlemke's review against another edition
3.0
This book might have been 3 1/2 star quality, but I deducted half a star for the plot essentially being the same as Asher's first novel featuring Agent Cormac (Gridlinked).
Basic premise is Agent Cormac is sent to investigate the destruction of a station (same type of investigation which propelled his action in the first book) and is followed/hunted by a vengeful antagonist whose presence is completely unrelated to the central plot (again, just like the first book).
Now, with that established, what this book excels at (and where the series seems to be headed) is creating fantasy-y sci-fi. Asher creates narratives that are as broad in scope and as in depth as Peter Hamilton; however, in my opinion he's not nearly as gifted as a writer.
The book is filled with story lines, following several characters in different locales. Sometimes it feels as if Asher gets a little too grandiose in his story -- less may in fact be more here. The overall premise is great, but often gets lost in the narrative, and despite so many pages devoted to character behaviors, one never really gets to know any of them... even Cormac. And even worse, Asher's ear for dialogue just doesn't seem to be refined. There is some clunky character speech within the pages of this book, although nothing so egregious as anything in the Star Wars prequels.
Overall, the book is entertaining, but at a considerable length. Big sci-fi seems to be in shortage these days, and this certainly fills some of the gaps. Still, with so much obviously within Asher's universe, it's a shame he basically revisits the same story on this second Agent Cormac outing.
Basic premise is Agent Cormac is sent to investigate the destruction of a station (same type of investigation which propelled his action in the first book) and is followed/hunted by a vengeful antagonist whose presence is completely unrelated to the central plot (again, just like the first book).
Now, with that established, what this book excels at (and where the series seems to be headed) is creating fantasy-y sci-fi. Asher creates narratives that are as broad in scope and as in depth as Peter Hamilton; however, in my opinion he's not nearly as gifted as a writer.
The book is filled with story lines, following several characters in different locales. Sometimes it feels as if Asher gets a little too grandiose in his story -- less may in fact be more here. The overall premise is great, but often gets lost in the narrative, and despite so many pages devoted to character behaviors, one never really gets to know any of them... even Cormac. And even worse, Asher's ear for dialogue just doesn't seem to be refined. There is some clunky character speech within the pages of this book, although nothing so egregious as anything in the Star Wars prequels.
Overall, the book is entertaining, but at a considerable length. Big sci-fi seems to be in shortage these days, and this certainly fills some of the gaps. Still, with so much obviously within Asher's universe, it's a shame he basically revisits the same story on this second Agent Cormac outing.
mike_no1's review against another edition
3.0
What makes this book interesting is the villain who is a step up from the last book and the setting, the planet Masada.
The protagonist Ian Cormac is a still a cardboard cutout James Bond though.
The protagonist Ian Cormac is a still a cardboard cutout James Bond though.
eisn's review
3.0
A marked improvement over the first book in the series. But still plagued by the same problems. Asher really doesn't like to solve things in a proper manner it seems.
I also disliked Skellor, maybe because I recently read Malazan and every time I read his name all I could think was Kallor. It didn't help that the beasts he was experimenting on had similar names to Kallor either. That aside it was a bit of a cardboard villain, nothing really developed.
We did get some character improvements in this book at least. But the 14 year old who becomes Rambo leaves a sour taste in my mouth.
All in all not enough to change the rating yet.
I also disliked Skellor, maybe because I recently read Malazan and every time I read his name all I could think was Kallor. It didn't help that the beasts he was experimenting on had similar names to Kallor either. That aside it was a bit of a cardboard villain, nothing really developed.
We did get some character improvements in this book at least. But the 14 year old who becomes Rambo leaves a sour taste in my mouth.
All in all not enough to change the rating yet.
peterhilton's review against another edition
5.0
Literally awesome less literary action sci-fi has lots of fun and welcome sequels; wish I'd read them in order.
hawisher's review against another edition
4.0
It's pretty good. The Polity universe is entertaining, and Asher has some interesting ideas. His biggest failing is that he can't seem to write believable villains. They're all cartoonishly evil.
shl1980's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
rikeuvan's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
tinodidriksen's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
zivan's review against another edition
3.0
While still more complex and interesting than your regular action page turner, Asher does seem to make it easy on himself with enemies and monsters that vie for the title of most villainous psychopath.
Thank god for Dragon for bringing some ambiguity to the story.
Thank god for Dragon for bringing some ambiguity to the story.