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hrgisahero's review against another edition
4.0
Cool world but without skimping on some key characters. A great standalone, would love to delve more into any of the other worlds. Sci-fi as fantasy is what this is.
debbiesilkserif's review against another edition
4.0
Received via Tor and NetGalley in exchange for an completely unbiased review.
Also posted on Silk & Serif
The Doors of Eden is a tome at over 600 pages, but is written so beautifully that is doesn’t feel like 600 pages. It was a delight to read.
I had a really difficult time writing this review. I wrote and rewrote my review before taking a break and then make this final attempt. My review doesn't do this book justice and some aspects of the book I found had my opinion waffling over whether this was a Very Good Book or just A Goo Book. In the end, regardless of my struggles, the crux of this review is: Its a worthy read and you wont be sorry you read it!
This is my first Tchaikovsky book, so going in I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Sure, Tchaikovsky is known as a brilliant voice in fantastical literature, but sometimes an author everyone loves can, frankly, be a slog or often over-hyped. I recently read the Book of Koli by M.G. Carey which had rave reviews on Goodreads, but undoubtedly was one of my least favourite novels of the year thus far. Unpopular opinion? Yes. But a very good example of how a really popular and beloved novel may not work for everyone. Fortunately, this was not the case for The Doors of Eden and I think I found a new favourite author.
The Doors of Eden is an extremely expansive story that tries to tie in science, fantasy and politics in a cohesive but fun package. It was a pleasure to read and captured my attention from the start. The novel also explores the many parallel earths theory without getting too complex or ungainly.
What if cockroaches become sentient long before humanity, or dinosaurs or even plants? What would such a world look like? I loved the "intermissions" between chapters where the history of each parallel earth is outlined and further develops the reader's understanding of the different parallel universes and how a slight change in Earth's history lead to divergent evolution.
I also loved that Tchaikovsky captured the feeling of being a government spook. The main characters Julian and Allison work for an intelligence agency and felt surprisingly authentic (or so i imagine) given the fantastical nature of the story overall. I think Tchaikovsky tried to develop a cast of characters who are the modern day “every man” in a diverse set of circumstances: a cryptologist, a set of spies, a touch of LGBTQ and even a CEO with nazi-esque leanings. All of the characters have a part to play at the end of time - some of their roles surprising, some not.
The characters themselves made this review so difficult for me to write: near the end, many of the characters became politicized or unlikable making the story a little less enjoyable. Also, with all the diversity represented in this book, the lack or respect for certain minor characters soured me on the ending somewhat. Regardless, the story itself was fun and filled with so many interesting things and unexpected plot twists, that the characters became secondary to the story itself.
In addition, the end felt a little rushed and could have used some more TLC - but it wasn’t a deal breaker. I’d immediately TBR and pre-order a follow up novel in this universe because I loved Tchaikovsky the uniqueness of The Doors of Eden and am incredibly curious what other creatures exist in this really complex and ODDLY realistic world.
Also posted on Silk & Serif
The Doors of Eden is a tome at over 600 pages, but is written so beautifully that is doesn’t feel like 600 pages. It was a delight to read.
I had a really difficult time writing this review. I wrote and rewrote my review before taking a break and then make this final attempt. My review doesn't do this book justice and some aspects of the book I found had my opinion waffling over whether this was a Very Good Book or just A Goo Book. In the end, regardless of my struggles, the crux of this review is: Its a worthy read and you wont be sorry you read it!
This is my first Tchaikovsky book, so going in I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Sure, Tchaikovsky is known as a brilliant voice in fantastical literature, but sometimes an author everyone loves can, frankly, be a slog or often over-hyped. I recently read the Book of Koli by M.G. Carey which had rave reviews on Goodreads, but undoubtedly was one of my least favourite novels of the year thus far. Unpopular opinion? Yes. But a very good example of how a really popular and beloved novel may not work for everyone. Fortunately, this was not the case for The Doors of Eden and I think I found a new favourite author.
The Doors of Eden is an extremely expansive story that tries to tie in science, fantasy and politics in a cohesive but fun package. It was a pleasure to read and captured my attention from the start. The novel also explores the many parallel earths theory without getting too complex or ungainly.
What if cockroaches become sentient long before humanity, or dinosaurs or even plants? What would such a world look like? I loved the "intermissions" between chapters where the history of each parallel earth is outlined and further develops the reader's understanding of the different parallel universes and how a slight change in Earth's history lead to divergent evolution.
I also loved that Tchaikovsky captured the feeling of being a government spook. The main characters Julian and Allison work for an intelligence agency and felt surprisingly authentic (or so i imagine) given the fantastical nature of the story overall. I think Tchaikovsky tried to develop a cast of characters who are the modern day “every man” in a diverse set of circumstances: a cryptologist, a set of spies, a touch of LGBTQ and even a CEO with nazi-esque leanings. All of the characters have a part to play at the end of time - some of their roles surprising, some not.
The characters themselves made this review so difficult for me to write: near the end, many of the characters became politicized or unlikable making the story a little less enjoyable. Also, with all the diversity represented in this book, the lack or respect for certain minor characters soured me on the ending somewhat. Regardless, the story itself was fun and filled with so many interesting things and unexpected plot twists, that the characters became secondary to the story itself.
In addition, the end felt a little rushed and could have used some more TLC - but it wasn’t a deal breaker. I’d immediately TBR and pre-order a follow up novel in this universe because I loved Tchaikovsky the uniqueness of The Doors of Eden and am incredibly curious what other creatures exist in this really complex and ODDLY realistic world.
gabrielleint's review against another edition
4.0
This book was really good. I only removed one star because of the length. I think some of the parts of the book could have been cut out. It was a really fun, action-packed book for probably two-thirds of it but I struggled a bit through the last third. However, this book is very cool--at the beginning it felt like fantasy, and by the end it felt more like a sci-fi space opera which I enjoyed. I like how Tchaikovsky often returns to the theme of better technology seeming like magic to people or beings who don't understand that technology yet. I just really enjoy his books and they all feel like a very fun companion while I'm reading them.
dejahentendu's review against another edition
5.0
Tchaikovsky weaves a delightfully intricate story with the many threads pulling into one cohesive tale. He explores how different people react in a universe that is larger and stranger and more amazing than any of us know. The various characters are interesting, and the factions stay true to themselves, even when it involves betrayal of some sort. Also, the duality of any person's nature is explored, as staying true to one ideal will often leave us denying something else about ourselves. As always, the intrepid explorers are the saviors of us all.
LGBTQIA+ Positive
LGBTQIA+ Positive
tzurky's review against another edition
5.0
This book is exactly what I expect a proper sci fi book to be. It expanded my imagination, my empathy and my knowledge and understanding - all at the same time and while weaving a gripping adrenaline-fueled narrative around very interesting characters. Also, there is some solid paleontology worked in for good measure. The author has outdone himself once again.
There really isn’t much to add to that: the premise is an extremely interesting twist on a familiar classic (as always, but absolute novelty matters less than excellent execution to me and there was enough novelty here anyway). The ending is perfectly in line with the entire build-up, the themes and the characters arcs. I really liked many of the characters, especially the non-humans. Tchaikovsky has an innate talent for making them very relatable and you have no choice but to empathize.
Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful. I’m almost scared to read his fantasy in case he’s a mite worse at that.
There really isn’t much to add to that: the premise is an extremely interesting twist on a familiar classic (as always, but absolute novelty matters less than excellent execution to me and there was enough novelty here anyway). The ending is perfectly in line with the entire build-up, the themes and the characters arcs. I really liked many of the characters, especially the non-humans. Tchaikovsky has an innate talent for making them very relatable and you have no choice but to empathize.
Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful. I’m almost scared to read his fantasy in case he’s a mite worse at that.
aga_acrobat's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
geminiustech's review
4.0
Clever , well thought out I hope the first of a serries as the ending felt a tad rushed . Good characters if not a little over congested with them . Overall a solid sci-fi with some original and clever ideas
breenmachine's review against another edition
2.0
I wasn't a fan of the interludes between the chapters that talked about other evolutions. Some of them were critical to have read, but some of them seemed unnecessary and could have been edited out.
I loved the concepts of the ICE computer, the branching, the "maths", Cam, the Cousins.
I loved the characters Kay and the Rat - those two were my favorites. Everyone else was ok, but I didn't feel like I cared about them as much as I should have. I also felt like I was expecting much weirder things to happen, which never really did. (Which is probably my expectation after reading "Children of Time")
Rove and his thug gave the plot a thriller vibe, and police man and Allison gave it a defective vibe. Both of which had a hard time keeping my interest.
My favorites written by Tchaikovsky are still "The Expert System's Brother" and "Children of Time" series. (WHICH ARE AMAZING!)
I loved the concepts of the ICE computer, the branching, the "maths", Cam, the Cousins.
I loved the characters Kay and the Rat - those two were my favorites. Everyone else was ok, but I didn't feel like I cared about them as much as I should have. I also felt like I was expecting much weirder things to happen, which never really did. (Which is probably my expectation after reading "Children of Time")
Rove and his thug gave the plot a thriller vibe, and police man and Allison gave it a defective vibe. Both of which had a hard time keeping my interest.
My favorites written by Tchaikovsky are still "The Expert System's Brother" and "Children of Time" series. (WHICH ARE AMAZING!)
mmgagnon186's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-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
3.75