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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
I'm not sure why this series isn't better known. This book is probably the weakest of the trilogy, but it's a worthy read nonetheless.
Occasionally, you're forcefully reminded that you're reading a book by the son of a very famous smart person, like here:
Occasionally, you're forcefully reminded that you're reading a book by the son of a very famous smart person, like here:
First, I found my old papers. Projects, tests, reports. Some truly awful poetry comparing my heart to a dying rose. Worse, I’d rhymed solidified with thalidomide and impetigo with Venus de Milo. Embarrassing. And it didn’t even relate to the assignment. Maestro had but one comment, marked in red: “What does this have to do with Thomas Jefferson?”
It gets good about half way then abruptly ends. Interesting concept but poorly executed.
Fast-paced (maybe overly so), heartbreaking, and enticingly written. Sagan is great at only revealing as much information as he wants at a time, peeling back each layer masterfully. I may move on to the sequel at some point.
Matrix + Scifi + bakstabbing.
I liked it. And I'm looking forward to diving into the sequels.
I liked it. And I'm looking forward to diving into the sequels.
Often felt like a prequel rather than book 1 of a series. It was pretty entertaining, though unnecessarily confusing for the first few chapters. I almost gave up reading multiple times, but pushed through. In the end I enjoyed the story overall, specifically the hacker mentality and VR elements.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A little Matrix, a little Ender's Game, in an apocalyptic setting, with a typical sullen, angst-ridden 18 year old boy as protagonist. It all felt very referential rather than original.
I feel a little bit disingenuous classifying this as "read" since I didn't actually finish it. After getting a bit over halfway through I just couldn't bring myself to come back to it. I... was... bored... Sagan isn't a horrible writer. This isn't a horrible novel. It's just not compelling to me. The virtual world feels very Lawnmower Man-ish mixed with WoW. It seemed... dated, and this book isn't that old. And I just didn't have a connection or wanted to care about most of the characters. This all just added up to me not having any continued interest in the book. So I gave up.
A good read; psychological; not mindfucky but mindmessy; what is real? How do we handle all the variables and create the perfect tool?