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coffeedog14's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
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
2.0
What a mysterious Jogo Book...
More seriously, I'm left baffled. No part of this book was like... incorrect? It has characters who have pretty identifiable traits, and arcs, there is a plot made up of several different character viewpoints that share a setting and some themes between them as well as similar starting points. The prose isn't great, but It's clear such that I can understand everything being said.
But on the other hand, what the fuck is happening? What was that shadowy other half of the planet all about that we never really talked about again? Why is the Veil early this year? Why does everything turn into shapes on Azlaroc? What the fuck is up with Ramachandra's whole theory? Why do the Veils even happen?
I saw a review that compared this story to a fairy tale, and that's probably the best way to take it. There's a bunch of cool science stuff in here, and a bunch of mysterious worldbuilding that leaves alot of questions, but really its about the characters and the themes of getting stuck in a rut.
With that in mind, I don't think its very good at that goal. The characters do have some depth, but they aren't very fun or interesting to be in the minds of. They all come off kind of clinical and stoic, which isn't what I'd want from a fairy tale. Still, at least I can say its easily the oddest sci-fi setting I've ever read. You can't say Saberhagen didn't cook up something wild here!
More seriously, I'm left baffled. No part of this book was like... incorrect? It has characters who have pretty identifiable traits, and arcs, there is a plot made up of several different character viewpoints that share a setting and some themes between them as well as similar starting points. The prose isn't great, but It's clear such that I can understand everything being said.
But on the other hand, what the fuck is happening? What was that shadowy other half of the planet all about that we never really talked about again? Why is the Veil early this year? Why does everything turn into shapes on Azlaroc? What the fuck is up with Ramachandra's whole theory? Why do the Veils even happen?
I saw a review that compared this story to a fairy tale, and that's probably the best way to take it. There's a bunch of cool science stuff in here, and a bunch of mysterious worldbuilding that leaves alot of questions, but really its about the characters and the themes of getting stuck in a rut.
With that in mind, I don't think its very good at that goal. The characters do have some depth, but they aren't very fun or interesting to be in the minds of. They all come off kind of clinical and stoic, which isn't what I'd want from a fairy tale. Still, at least I can say its easily the oddest sci-fi setting I've ever read. You can't say Saberhagen didn't cook up something wild here!
funeralthirst666's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
roseofmay's review against another edition
dnf it at 76 pages. i didn’t really care for the characters or the plot. the characters were not interesting and fleshed out at all. and i didn’t understand the system/reasoning of the world.
katie_king's review against another edition
3.0
Way too much plot for 216 pages. There's a black hole *and* a pulsar, which is supposed to explain the weird things that happen in this non-planetary world. Mostly it is a love-story about the nature of time, or possibly a time-story about the nature of love.
roseofmay's review
dnf it at 76 pages. i didn’t really care for the characters or the plot. the characters were not interesting and fleshed out at all. and i didn’t understand the system/reasoning of the world.
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