Reviews

Blood Music by Greg Bear

frasersimons's review against another edition

sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

Another novel shelved as cyberpunk, but is missing the low life aspect of the subgenre, so is miscategorized. The notions around collectivism embodied in a cell structure are interesting enough, though the plot and characters are very much secondary to a few of them. So much so, some characters are forgotten about entirely while others feel like little more than a cog. 

I floated between that dissatisfaction and an implacable incredulity of the actual conceit. I wanted to know where it was all going, but was fairly certain of the outcome, because all collectivism in scifi leads to seemingly the same road. And this is no different.  

It is better written than some other masterworks I’ve tried though; had there been more than the ideas, there was a possibility of really enjoying it, like so many others seem to have. 

m_henchard's review against another edition

Lost all interest midway through this short novel and can’t bring myself to continue.

befrenetic's review against another edition

dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

mrodgerson's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

bensproule's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

joshhall13's review against another edition

4.0

4.5 stars. Weird. Dated. Fascinating. I imagine it was breaking new ground when published in the 80's.

heliopteryx's review against another edition

3.5

This book goes in a very different direction than the novella of the same name, which you can read for free on the publisher's website if you wish to compare. 

The beginning of the novel version definitely has too much filler, in my opinion. You could skip straight to chapter 7 and not miss anything important. Up to that point, this book introduces Vergil, the pathetic scientist guy who breaks every lab safety rule. As a real world scientist, these kinds of stories are just painful to read, haha. But after that, the story really picks up. 

mfhraptor's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

sylvo's review against another edition

 English 3372: Special Topics in Science Fiction 

pptphile's review against another edition

adventurous challenging informative inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5