Scan barcode
rustman's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-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
3.0
This plot covers several generations, so I get it can’t dwell long on any one character. That being said the story line is rather superficial until a portion of the middle and again at the end. The characters in the end are interesting and very likable.
being_b's review against another edition
3.0
Disappointing, given the hype. The developments of the closed society of clones followed predictable lines for the genre that didn't seem particularly connected to the clone society or the people we met in it. The portrayal of Earth society seemed especially unimaginative.
The book was trying to be social science fiction (ala. [b:Foundation|29579|Foundation (Foundation #1)|Isaac Asimov|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1417900846s/29579.jpg|1783981] or [b:Children of Time|25499718|Children of Time (Children of Time #1)|Adrian Tchaikovsky|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1431014197s/25499718.jpg|45276208]) but didn't seem willing to follow any idea about societal change to its logical conclusions.
Spoiler
2000 years later and the only notable differences between Earth humans and 1800-years-behind clone humans is that Earth humans speak in internet abbreviations (RL for real life, etc) through implants that let them communicate mind-to-mind, and a total lack of curiosity. This seems... unlikely.The book was trying to be social science fiction (ala. [b:Foundation|29579|Foundation (Foundation #1)|Isaac Asimov|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1417900846s/29579.jpg|1783981] or [b:Children of Time|25499718|Children of Time (Children of Time #1)|Adrian Tchaikovsky|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1431014197s/25499718.jpg|45276208]) but didn't seem willing to follow any idea about societal change to its logical conclusions.
greenauri's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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? Yes
4.0
pomegranateicecream's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? No
4.75
applesodaperson's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Wow this book was incredible and so epic. I can't wait to read the rest of the series. First off, this was such an approachable and well done sci-fi series. It wasn't too complicated, but anything that might have been complicated was explained really well. I also liked the huge scale of this book. Specifically how it spanned many generations and a huge length of time. This made the potential for a vast range of stories a lot more attainable.
I've mostly got a lot of random thoughts about this book. I loved the speculative evolution about how humans are going to change in the future. I think the idea that humans will become more dependent and integrated with technology is so true. I mean companies are already trying to put chips in people's heads. The idea that humans will increase in isolationism is so interesting too. I also liked the discussion of what people's relationship with sex would be if it was unconnected from childbirth and there wasn't really a fear of that. It was kind of weird though that ICC didn't know what sex was, considering that it is an AI with access to practically endless knowledge. The whole cloning thing also opened up some really interesting conversations. My favorite one was the nature vs. nurture debate. Are the clones the same as their predecessor because they have the exact same genes, or should they be treated differently because they were raised by different people in a different time? This becomes more significant when it comes to the prison part of the story. Should the clones of the coup-members have to be in prison for their sins? Even if they have no idea what the previous clone did, or why they are in prison. It is an interesting ethical dilemma, even though I agree that nurture matters more than nature in this case. Environment matters a lot more when it comes to personality and behavior.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and think it would make an amazing TV show, especially if it used the same actors over and over again for every clone iteration.
Listened to on Libby.
I've mostly got a lot of random thoughts about this book. I loved the speculative evolution about how humans are going to change in the future. I think the idea that humans will become more dependent and integrated with technology is so true. I mean companies are already trying to put chips in people's heads. The idea that humans will increase in isolationism is so interesting too. I also liked the discussion of what people's relationship with sex would be if it was unconnected from childbirth and there wasn't really a fear of that. It was kind of weird though that ICC didn't know what sex was, considering that it is an AI with access to practically endless knowledge. The whole cloning thing also opened up some really interesting conversations. My favorite one was the nature vs. nurture debate. Are the clones the same as their predecessor because they have the exact same genes, or should they be treated differently because they were raised by different people in a different time? This becomes more significant when it comes to the prison part of the story. Should the clones of the coup-members have to be in prison for their sins? Even if they have no idea what the previous clone did, or why they are in prison. It is an interesting ethical dilemma, even though I agree that nurture matters more than nature in this case. Environment matters a lot more when it comes to personality and behavior.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and think it would make an amazing TV show, especially if it used the same actors over and over again for every clone iteration.
Listened to on Libby.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
lenemsl's review against another edition
The existencialism was existencialising in this one. I found that even tho we are jumping decades and decades between different chapters and point of views, I still felt that I was able to orient myself in the story and the broad stroakes of what had been happening. A lot of different ideas and beliefs are put out there and both challenged and not. Our future imagined in the way it is suggested here was also an interesting approach I havent seen much of earlier.
The AI somehow turned into my favourite character, possibly for being the only constant throughout all the generations of clones. I also enjoyed one of the later characters and her psych eval about her drinking.
I think I'm struggeling a bit between how complex the topic that were approached were, and how simplistic it felt in the small glimpses we got to see.
The AI somehow turned into my favourite character, possibly for being the only constant throughout all the generations of clones. I also enjoyed one of the later characters and her psych eval about her drinking.
I think I'm struggeling a bit between how complex the topic that were approached were, and how simplistic it felt in the small glimpses we got to see.
maryknight's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
celine_nz's review
4.0
4.5/5 !
Space travel, AI, genetic engineering and mysterious space objects.... this ticked all my boxes.
I loved this - ordering the sequel right away!
Space travel, AI, genetic engineering and mysterious space objects.... this ticked all my boxes.
I loved this - ordering the sequel right away!
humvee's review against another edition
3.0
An ambitious act of universe building, and a pleasant space opera read that occasionally stumbles
I found this book to be an ambitious act of universe building, and a pleasant space opera read that only occasionally stumbles. Most of my struggles with getting into this story were at the beginning, with the setup and the first generation of the clones. I found many of the word choices in descriptions to be a little odd. I came to this story after reading "Activation Degradation", which was another story I both enjoyed and struggled with. The marketing blurbs compare Marina Lostetter to the superb Martha Wells, and her "Activation Degradation" story to the Murderbot Diaries. I don't think Ms. Lostetter comes anywhere close - but I think she'll get there, if she continues to polish her craft. I enjoyed this story enough to want to pick up the sequel, "Noumenon Infinity." Read on if you don't mind mild spoilers (which would personally drive me crazy)!
*Mild spoilers*
The premise that your DNA locks you in to set behaviors and predilections is something I reject - and a major component of the story arc. But the idea that humans would have to be "retired," Soilent Green style to make room for younger versions on generation ships like this was an excellent thought. My favorite character was the colony AI, I.C.C. But it often made comparisons and analogies that it shouldn't have any experience with.
I found this book to be an ambitious act of universe building, and a pleasant space opera read that only occasionally stumbles. Most of my struggles with getting into this story were at the beginning, with the setup and the first generation of the clones. I found many of the word choices in descriptions to be a little odd. I came to this story after reading "Activation Degradation", which was another story I both enjoyed and struggled with. The marketing blurbs compare Marina Lostetter to the superb Martha Wells, and her "Activation Degradation" story to the Murderbot Diaries. I don't think Ms. Lostetter comes anywhere close - but I think she'll get there, if she continues to polish her craft. I enjoyed this story enough to want to pick up the sequel, "Noumenon Infinity." Read on if you don't mind mild spoilers (which would personally drive me crazy)!
*Mild spoilers*
The premise that your DNA locks you in to set behaviors and predilections is something I reject - and a major component of the story arc. But the idea that humans would have to be "retired," Soilent Green style to make room for younger versions on generation ships like this was an excellent thought. My favorite character was the colony AI, I.C.C. But it often made comparisons and analogies that it shouldn't have any experience with.