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raciethereader's review
5.0
Once again, Hugh delivers with a well written novel involving human psychology and the struggle for survival.
kojo0o's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
onemanbookclub's review against another edition
2.0
Meh......
So, they can't all be winners, right? This Hugh Howey book does not earn my recommendation.
I still enjoyed the story--mostly from the point of view that I'm impressed with the author's ability to tell a tale so unique. I've never heard of another story like this one, not even the premise or ideas.
Unique story or not, this one didn't for for me for two reasons:
1) The language was foul. Total foul. I stuck with it because I had hoped it would get better and I had such a good experience with his other books. It didn't--it actually got worse. Not like Stephen Kings The Body bad, but bad enough for me to not be able to recommend it to anyone.
2) I hate being preached to, and this book slowly climbed up onto it's soapbox, a little at a time. By the time I realized what was happening, the preaching fully threaded into the story line.
A credit to the author--even when I realized that was going on I still wanted to finish the story. But still, when I tell my friends about Hugh Howey, I'll be telling them to skip Half Way Home.
So, they can't all be winners, right? This Hugh Howey book does not earn my recommendation.
I still enjoyed the story--mostly from the point of view that I'm impressed with the author's ability to tell a tale so unique. I've never heard of another story like this one, not even the premise or ideas.
Unique story or not, this one didn't for for me for two reasons:
1) The language was foul. Total foul. I stuck with it because I had hoped it would get better and I had such a good experience with his other books. It didn't--it actually got worse. Not like Stephen Kings The Body bad, but bad enough for me to not be able to recommend it to anyone.
2) I hate being preached to, and this book slowly climbed up onto it's soapbox, a little at a time. By the time I realized what was happening, the preaching fully threaded into the story line.
A credit to the author--even when I realized that was going on I still wanted to finish the story. But still, when I tell my friends about Hugh Howey, I'll be telling them to skip Half Way Home.
gwynt's review
5.0
Wow, what a fantastic and unexpected novel! I really felt this embodied YA fiction. Everything experienced by the main characters were "firsts" in an imaginative way. Pacing was great and the message in the end was insightful. I can't wait to read other things by this author.
kellyo1026's review
4.0
I had a hard time at first getting into this book. After the first few chapters it was a pretty easy read. I thought the plot was very unique. Human beings sent off planet to colonize new worlds. They are kept in large vats and they are taught everything they need to know for their picked for them profession. They are then born at the age of 30 with all the knowledge they need tocolenize this colony. Unless The main Coleny deems there new home uninhabitable then they are aborted. It's a very interesting concept and you really are drawn to the characters in the book. It is defiantly worth reading!
elysareadsitall's review against another edition
4.0
This book is a dark, thrilling adventure sci-fi story. If you like stories about humans setting out to colonize new planets, definitely check this one out.
There were supposed to be 500 of them. Less than 60 woke up with their birthing vats in flames. Their AI started to abort their mission and destroy them all, but it changed its mind. Why?
If you've been around awhile, you know I love a crazy AI story. Colony (their AI) doesn't play a huge part as a character in the story, but his presence as the controlling force on the new planet and his representation of the greedy governments who send the colonists out does add a great creepy element.
There were supposed to be 500 of them. Less than 60 woke up with their birthing vats in flames. Their AI started to abort their mission and destroy them all, but it changed its mind. Why?
If you've been around awhile, you know I love a crazy AI story. Colony (their AI) doesn't play a huge part as a character in the story, but his presence as the controlling force on the new planet and his representation of the greedy governments who send the colonists out does add a great creepy element.
yuyine's review against another edition
reflective
tense
medium-paced
2.75
Une colonie ne sera pas un roman qui me marquera très longtemps. L’intrigue bancale et les dialogues assez creux, associés à une narration qui ne m’a pas emportée, ont contribué à mon avis mitigé. Cependant, le roman n’est absolument pas dénué d’intérêt et propose quelques idées intéressantes et des réflexions plutôt justes sur le comportement humain et la question de la liberté et du vivre ensemble. D’autres que moi ont plus apprécié cette lecture, à vous donc de vous faire votre propre avis !
Critique complète sur yuyine.be!
Critique complète sur yuyine.be!
suncani's review
I'm finding it hard to be objective about this book. I can't tell whether it's badly written or just completely not for me.
Things I disliked.
The gender essentialism. Men are strong and brave and like exploring. Women are content to stay behind and gossip. The (male) MC is the only exception to this.
The plot for about 1/2 of the book. The concept behind the book is interesting, what happens when seeding a world goes wrong, however it descends very quickly into the typical, strength overpowers co-operation and force is used as motivation. This isn't handled in an interesting way, it's mainly used as a stepping stone to what happens afterwards.
The AI. There is literally no nuance here. Corporations and the AI which implements their decisions are bad. The people left on the planet at the end are good.
When I started reading this I hadn't realised it was YA. It's possible that a lot of what I'm criticising is typical for YA and so wouldn't necessarily make for a bad book by that criteria. However it wasn't for me.
Things I disliked.
The gender essentialism. Men are strong and brave and like exploring. Women are content to stay behind and gossip. The (male) MC is the only exception to this.
The plot for about 1/2 of the book. The concept behind the book is interesting, what happens when seeding a world goes wrong, however it descends very quickly into the typical, strength overpowers co-operation and force is used as motivation. This isn't handled in an interesting way, it's mainly used as a stepping stone to what happens afterwards.
The AI. There is literally no nuance here. Corporations and the AI which implements their decisions are bad. The people left on the planet at the end are good.
When I started reading this I hadn't realised it was YA. It's possible that a lot of what I'm criticising is typical for YA and so wouldn't necessarily make for a bad book by that criteria. However it wasn't for me.