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Each chapter follows another generation as humans colonize a planet. The primary idea is semiosis, as the humans and a native plant build a relationship. Each generation, and, in fact, each character is flattened to further emphasize a certain attribute or level in their development. For me, this took away a lot from the story. However, as a hundred years or so are covered along with many characters, I can see why the author made this choice. It simplifies the story in a way that likely increases accessibility to a wider range of readers. I also didn't like how very similar the plants' way of thinking matched the humans. I wanted real differences. Sure, there are references to biological differences, but the base thought patterns were the same. This was uplifted by a heavy sprinkling, especially further along in the book, of scientific references to chemicals the plants use for various processes.
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Star Rating: 4 stars
As a reader, I tend to read more fantasy than science fiction, but one of my goals this year is to get more into science fiction, but I didn’t know where to start. Since I love science fiction television shows and movies (Star-Trek, Stargate, and Star Wars are my favorites.), I decided to find books that had the same plots and themes, and this lead to me picking up Semiosis by Sue Burke. Semiosis tells the story of a group of human colonists who are desperate to leave a dying Earth so they journey to an alien world where they quickly release they are not the dominant species. They have to either adapt or perish, but can they lose their superiority complex and adjust to the new pecking order in time?
The best part about the book is the ideas that it explores such as what happens when humans travel to the stars, what happens when they meet other peoples or travel to a planet where they aren’t the top of the food chain or the dominant species. Humans have this natural belief that they are superior and that no one will ever change that, but if we go to the stars and meet others, will we still be dominant or will we fall into the age-old trap of trying to force our beliefs and culture onto a population different than ours.
Even though I loved the story part of this book, the writing style was not the best, which is why I am giving 4 stars instead of 5. You could really see that this was her 1st full-length novel (It says in her author’s bio that she has written short fiction but no novels. The writing style was choppy and not very immersive, but I think that she will improve as she continues to write so I still think people should give it a try.
All in all, if you like Star-Trek and Stargate, then you will love the story of this book. 4 stars!!!!
As a reader, I tend to read more fantasy than science fiction, but one of my goals this year is to get more into science fiction, but I didn’t know where to start. Since I love science fiction television shows and movies (Star-Trek, Stargate, and Star Wars are my favorites.), I decided to find books that had the same plots and themes, and this lead to me picking up Semiosis by Sue Burke. Semiosis tells the story of a group of human colonists who are desperate to leave a dying Earth so they journey to an alien world where they quickly release they are not the dominant species. They have to either adapt or perish, but can they lose their superiority complex and adjust to the new pecking order in time?
The best part about the book is the ideas that it explores such as what happens when humans travel to the stars, what happens when they meet other peoples or travel to a planet where they aren’t the top of the food chain or the dominant species. Humans have this natural belief that they are superior and that no one will ever change that, but if we go to the stars and meet others, will we still be dominant or will we fall into the age-old trap of trying to force our beliefs and culture onto a population different than ours.
Even though I loved the story part of this book, the writing style was not the best, which is why I am giving 4 stars instead of 5. You could really see that this was her 1st full-length novel (It says in her author’s bio that she has written short fiction but no novels. The writing style was choppy and not very immersive, but I think that she will improve as she continues to write so I still think people should give it a try.
All in all, if you like Star-Trek and Stargate, then you will love the story of this book. 4 stars!!!!
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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
Things I especially liked about this book:
- Stevland the sentient bamboo who is far more intelligent than humans and knows it
- the idea of a generational story, in which humans become the aliens on an unfamiliar planet and have to slowly adapt themselves and their culture to this new environment
Things that didn't work for me as well:
- unlikeable characters, without enough character depth to truly identify with them before the generation skipped again
- the way that the scattershot generational first-person narrative meant that I was constantly having to a) try to remember countless names and family relationships, and b) put together fragmentary clues to understand even a little bit about their society
I guess overall I loved the idea and the concepts, and I loved Stevland, but the structure and style of the book left me cold. I totally get and respect what Burke was going for, but I think I personally would have enjoyed a more traditional narrative for this story.
This is still a very creative and interesting book, though, and I would recommend it. 3.5 stars, rounded to 4.
- Stevland the sentient bamboo who is far more intelligent than humans and knows it
- the idea of a generational story, in which humans become the aliens on an unfamiliar planet and have to slowly adapt themselves and their culture to this new environment
Things that didn't work for me as well:
- unlikeable characters, without enough character depth to truly identify with them before the generation skipped again
- the way that the scattershot generational first-person narrative meant that I was constantly having to a) try to remember countless names and family relationships, and b) put together fragmentary clues to understand even a little bit about their society
I guess overall I loved the idea and the concepts, and I loved Stevland, but the structure and style of the book left me cold. I totally get and respect what Burke was going for, but I think I personally would have enjoyed a more traditional narrative for this story.
This is still a very creative and interesting book, though, and I would recommend it. 3.5 stars, rounded to 4.
I really enjoyed this book as it covers a lot of subjects and themes I'm interested in. I found the narrative interesting (even if I got a little lost with all of the characters at times!), and the development of Stevland was very, very good.
I loved the descriptions of the biology and chemistry, although it did go over my head a little bit. However, I do respect an author who doesn't simplify everything down.
I'm glad there is a second book as I felt a lot has been left hanging in the ending.
I loved the descriptions of the biology and chemistry, although it did go over my head a little bit. However, I do respect an author who doesn't simplify everything down.
I'm glad there is a second book as I felt a lot has been left hanging in the ending.
this book contains some of the most extraordinarily dry prose i have ever read; it has almost no variation in sentence structure or figurative language.
despite that, i read it quickly—the plot’s that good. a sapient, symbiotic plant is seriously one of the best alien sci-fi concepts i’ve encountered, and it’s executed well. i was also drawn in by the way the colonists didn’t pine for earth, but adapted to their environment, and focused on it.
tl;dr if you’re willing to slog through the prose, this is worth a read on a conceptual basis.
despite that, i read it quickly—the plot’s that good. a sapient, symbiotic plant is seriously one of the best alien sci-fi concepts i’ve encountered, and it’s executed well. i was also drawn in by the way the colonists didn’t pine for earth, but adapted to their environment, and focused on it.
tl;dr if you’re willing to slog through the prose, this is worth a read on a conceptual basis.
Really good! Reminded me of Michael Crichton at his best - a steady mixture of science and suspense, with a really interesting character-driven ending. It took me a bit to get into -- there's some world-building (literally!) to be done and it can take a minute to get used to the structure of the book. Each section follows a different character from the next generation, which can a few times be jarring, but is mostly a really interesting and engaging way to follow a story over a very long period of time, i.e. hundreds of years. Once I got past Octavo I was really into it and several times found myself not wanting to put the book down! Definitely a worthwhile read.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
fast-paced