Reviews

Head On by John Scalzi

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What I Did Like:
+The premise is intriguing, again. This is a great way to follow-up the content of the first book. We’re using some of the same characters but in a different and unique way. I loved using the sport as a way to explore some of the consequences for this world.
+The technology, again, is intriguing and solid. It reads realistic and is highly compelling yet it is also written in a way that makes it clear the use of it is typical for these characters. We’re shocked by what it can do, they’re not.
+The police procedure reads accurate. It’s not an instant solution, there’s mistakes, things are overlooked on the first pass.
+Great dialogue. There’s a good banter between these characters and the dialogue works.

Who Should Read This One:
-Fans of technology Sci Fi books. This is an excellent one because it feels completely possible and plausible. Of course, if you’re a huge tech scifi fan, start with Lock In which will give you more background to enjoy the technology.
-Fans of detective novels who aren’t afraid of something NEW and different. Although this focuses on an essentially robotic detective, it’s well written and fun to read! If you’re interested more in the detective nature of the book than the technology, this would work fine as a stand alone. You’re given plenty of background on the technology to understand.

My Rating: 5 Stars
This blends advanced technology Scifi with a detective novel in a highly pleasing way, maximizing the beauty of both without compromising. This is an excellent example of genre blending!

For Full Review: https://alltherightreads.com/2023/12/31/2023-book-review-head-on/

maggiebook's review

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4.0

The Lock-In series is part excellent sci-fi and part mystery. The sci-fi part is solid: so thought out, believable and interesting. I am a reader who isn't drawn to mysteries and therefore doesn't read a lot of them BUT the mystery part is also pretty solid: engaging, some twists and non-graphic.
Overall the story moves along without any drag, good science, good humor and some of Scalzi's more relatable characters.

This was an Audible listen with Wil Wheaton as the narrator. He narrates many of John Scalzi's recent books and is stellar in his delivery.

Lastly, think it is best to read/listen to Lock In first to get more of the history on the Lock In aspect. It is also a very good read.

noirverse's review

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2.0

I really enjoyed the worldbuilding (which is why I picked up the next book in the series in the first place), but the mystery didn't grab me here either, and the characters were only okay at best. It's a shame, since I think you could do a lot with the basic concept of the world, but the mystery angle doesn't work for me.

friendleghost's review

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adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

lowercasesee's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful fast-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

4.0

kminor86's review against another edition

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funny mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

cutenanya's review

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5.0

I really enjoyed the world Scalzi created with his Lock In series. In the first book, we were introduced to a world infested with the Haden disease, which caused millions to the paralyzed, but also united humans and motivated huge leaps in technological advancement. Thanks to the invention of "threeps", free minds are no longer confined to their immobile bodies and can roam around the world and proceed with their daily lives. Becoming a Haden might be unthinkable for those of us who had the luxury of a functioning body, but for the poster child of the Haden syndrome, a threep comes natural to FBI agent Chris Shane (though s/he has a habit of wrecking them).

In the second installment, we follow the investigations of Agents Shane and his/her partner Vann as they try to find the deaths of Hilketa atheles are accidental or intentional. Just like in Harry Potter where Rowling invented Quidditch, the sport Scalzi invented here resembles one loved by the ancient Romans, a.k.a. fighting each other till the head rolls off (literally). Hilketa is a violent sport, but one that is usually mastered by Haden (though a majority of the spectators are non-Hadens).

I really liked how Sclazi created a new sport and explored the darkness behind commercializing sports. Where there is money, there is evil and in the world of sports, problems like performance enhancement drugs, betting, etc. are bound to exist. What's better to plot a mystery then on these topics. The plot itself is solid albeit a bit predictable, but with lovable leads like Shane and Vann, it's definitely enjoyable and entertaining.

Still, I think there are some problems I'd like to be answered in the next installment(s):

Spoiler

1. I don't understand why they have to limit the technology to Hadens only. Isn't that a bit illogical, especially when non Hadens can also become paralyzed and need the technology. I just think the initial concept of Haden-only is a bit absurb.

2. The gender of Chris Shane. My gut tells me Scalzi is not going to reveal it (ever) but I hope I'm wrong. Audible is so kind as to have two versions of this book (male and female narration) just so that we can choose the gender of Chris. It really doesn't matter if Chris is male or female because frankly, s/he kicks ass either way, still, an OCD like myself likes to know the answer and don't want to be left in suspense forever.