Scan barcode
sylvanc's review
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
aeberley's review
4.0
Hamilton decided to follow in Hyperion’s footsteps and have a set up similar to the Canterbury Tales. There is a group of five individuals who each tell their own story of interest that all lead back to similar point, and becomes the twist at the end. Overall if you like Hamilton’s other books you will probably enjoy this one as well. He has finally listened to his fans and toned it down with the constant sex scenes as well so be happy for that.
hellishlyawkward's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
mrfrenchtoasts's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
erinflight's review
4.0
This is a great book that almost shoots itself in the foot a third of the way in.
It starts out compelling. A group of people, some strangers, some not, are gathered together to go investigate a downed alien spaceship.
One of them, we learn, probably isn't human, but our narrator does not know which.
And then the book cuts back in time, to one of these self-same people, Callum, going on a honeymoon with his wife, flouting company policy by not telling them, and saying basically "it's fine, nothing bad will happen."
Except, we, the readers, just learned that this went terribly.
And, if you're like me, you probably picked this book up wanting to read compelling science fiction, with futuristic technology and aliens and perhaps a bit of action. So, reading about a love-struck guy who is about to have some very awkward conversations with his boss seems a bit, uh, anti-climatic.
And then it goes on and on. And you wonder if you're ever going to get back to the spaceship. (Spoilers: You don't. Not for a while).
But, after dropping the book for about a month, and picking it back up, I realized that was the point.
This isn't a book about investigating an alien spaceship. It's a book about the people who are investigating that spaceship. And once you realize that, it becomes a much more interesting story.
Callum's ill-thought out marriage leads him on the path towards discovering several truths that his company would really rather he not know.
And, as we explore the past of each of these people in turn, they're equally interesting. Hamilton has built a complex universe here, and they've all seen a different piece of it, and each of them has gotten hints that something is deeply wrong, just underneath the surface.
Without this context, the alien spaceship, when we do finally see it, wouldn't be nearly as interesting.
But I think the key to enjoying this book is realizing that it's not about the spaceship in the first place.
It starts out compelling. A group of people, some strangers, some not, are gathered together to go investigate a downed alien spaceship.
One of them, we learn, probably isn't human, but our narrator does not know which.
And then the book cuts back in time, to one of these self-same people, Callum, going on a honeymoon with his wife, flouting company policy by not telling them, and saying basically "it's fine, nothing bad will happen."
Except, we, the readers, just learned that this went terribly.
And, if you're like me, you probably picked this book up wanting to read compelling science fiction, with futuristic technology and aliens and perhaps a bit of action. So, reading about a love-struck guy who is about to have some very awkward conversations with his boss seems a bit, uh, anti-climatic.
And then it goes on and on. And you wonder if you're ever going to get back to the spaceship. (Spoilers: You don't. Not for a while).
But, after dropping the book for about a month, and picking it back up, I realized that was the point.
This isn't a book about investigating an alien spaceship. It's a book about the people who are investigating that spaceship. And once you realize that, it becomes a much more interesting story.
Callum's ill-thought out marriage leads him on the path towards discovering several truths that his company would really rather he not know.
And, as we explore the past of each of these people in turn, they're equally interesting. Hamilton has built a complex universe here, and they've all seen a different piece of it, and each of them has gotten hints that something is deeply wrong, just underneath the surface.
Without this context, the alien spaceship, when we do finally see it, wouldn't be nearly as interesting.
But I think the key to enjoying this book is realizing that it's not about the spaceship in the first place.
elwoodradley's review
4.0
4.5 stars. Really entertaining book. I loved the twist at the end, can’t wait to read the upcoming sequel.
duparker's review
4.0
Really enjoyable read. The creativity and storytelling is quite enjoyable. The world building and plot are detailed and well thought out. The flow took a bit getting used to but worked well, once understood.
elliotsinnhuber's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
squid95's review
Just too modern. I quickly didn't like the tone. I'm more a fantasy reader, so SciFi is tough and go.
natashazaleski's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0