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maxpearl's review against another edition
5.0
Hugh Howey's greatest gift, in my humble opinion, is telling stories of human beings set in extreme circumstances. What do we do when we are stretched to the limit?
The premise of this story, which is that interstellar colonization is done not by generation ships, or people in stasis, but done with frozen embryos. If a planet is viable, the embryos are grown in vats and then raised by machines. If not, they are destroyed. A very interesting premise, and his story is one where the decision about viability is set on edge.
The main character is believable and intriguing, and the story is engaging - its a fast read - I didn't want to put it down once I'd started.
The premise of this story, which is that interstellar colonization is done not by generation ships, or people in stasis, but done with frozen embryos. If a planet is viable, the embryos are grown in vats and then raised by machines. If not, they are destroyed. A very interesting premise, and his story is one where the decision about viability is set on edge.
The main character is believable and intriguing, and the story is engaging - its a fast read - I didn't want to put it down once I'd started.
lyrellian's review
4.0
This was a great read - quick and interesting. Hugh Howey is quickly becoming a favorite author. I was surprised to find out this book actually came out of a NaNoWriMo project!
ownerdbomber's review against another edition
4.0
Good til the end
I really enjoyed this book and the overall worldbuilding of Howey. It was a great concept and a real pageturner, but felt a bit flat and rushed at the end (hence only four stars).
I really enjoyed this book and the overall worldbuilding of Howey. It was a great concept and a real pageturner, but felt a bit flat and rushed at the end (hence only four stars).
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!