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sarahlopod's review against another edition
3.0
This review can also be found on my blog.
disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for review consideration. All of the opinions presented below are my own.
Half Way Home was originally published in 2010 but was recently re-released. I’ve consistently enjoyed a lot of Hugh Howey’s books so I was excited to pick up this one, which was no exception. Quite an original concept, Half Way Home explores the potential future of space colonization. Colonists are sent to planets and raised sleeping in vats as an AI sets up the start of the colony. After 30 years, the colonists awaken fully-grown, trained, and ready to take over. In Half Way Home something has gone wrong, and the colonists are awakened early. They must figure out how to make it without their full training program and without all of the resources they were supposed to have.
While it had a lot of potential, this really just missed the mark for me. There were a lot of interesting bits — in particular, the flora and fauna unique to this new planet — but there wasn’t enough to impress me. It felt like there was just something… missing, and I felt a bit let down by the ending. Part of this can probably be chalked up to a lack of proper world-building. Howey definitely has skill when it comes to building a sci-fi world (Wool speaks to that), but there was a lot here that felt like it should have been expanded upon. I just never felt fully convinced by the environment he had created here. It felt so limited; we’re only really introduced to a couple of new species with the implication being that they are the only ones.
Besides that, I felt really uncomfortable about the characterization of the main character. He’s gay, and the “hints” towards it are quite heavy-handed. He’s also often likened to a woman and is made fun of by the other characters for being a “sissy.” This isn’t at all challenged or addressed, and doesn’t do much except play into existing stereotypes. There’s also a love triangle that doesn’t really get resolved; the drama with it feels forced and even the main character admits that it’s ridiculous to think so much about dating when lives are on the line.
For all my criticisms, this is a pretty enjoyable read. I ended up getting sucked in whenever I’d pick it up, and had no problem jumping back into the story. The pacing is good and I was always intrigued to see what would happen next — even if it didn’t seem like much would. Overall, this is a decent sci-fi novel, but nothing I’ll be scrambling to recommend.
disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for review consideration. All of the opinions presented below are my own.
Half Way Home was originally published in 2010 but was recently re-released. I’ve consistently enjoyed a lot of Hugh Howey’s books so I was excited to pick up this one, which was no exception. Quite an original concept, Half Way Home explores the potential future of space colonization. Colonists are sent to planets and raised sleeping in vats as an AI sets up the start of the colony. After 30 years, the colonists awaken fully-grown, trained, and ready to take over. In Half Way Home something has gone wrong, and the colonists are awakened early. They must figure out how to make it without their full training program and without all of the resources they were supposed to have.
While it had a lot of potential, this really just missed the mark for me. There were a lot of interesting bits — in particular, the flora and fauna unique to this new planet — but there wasn’t enough to impress me. It felt like there was just something… missing, and I felt a bit let down by the ending. Part of this can probably be chalked up to a lack of proper world-building. Howey definitely has skill when it comes to building a sci-fi world (Wool speaks to that), but there was a lot here that felt like it should have been expanded upon. I just never felt fully convinced by the environment he had created here. It felt so limited; we’re only really introduced to a couple of new species with the implication being that they are the only ones.
Besides that, I felt really uncomfortable about the characterization of the main character. He’s gay, and the “hints” towards it are quite heavy-handed. He’s also often likened to a woman and is made fun of by the other characters for being a “sissy.” This isn’t at all challenged or addressed, and doesn’t do much except play into existing stereotypes. There’s also a love triangle that doesn’t really get resolved; the drama with it feels forced and even the main character admits that it’s ridiculous to think so much about dating when lives are on the line.
For all my criticisms, this is a pretty enjoyable read. I ended up getting sucked in whenever I’d pick it up, and had no problem jumping back into the story. The pacing is good and I was always intrigued to see what would happen next — even if it didn’t seem like much would. Overall, this is a decent sci-fi novel, but nothing I’ll be scrambling to recommend.
seang81's review against another edition
2.0
I really enjoyed the Wool series and was looking forward to this novel a lot, however, I just could not get into it! I look forward to reading the next novel by Hugh but the pacing and plot just didn't pull me in. It's an okay sci-fi so if you're looking for something easy to read then this would not be a bad choice.
sadie1202's review against another edition
5.0
It was a great read. I was going to give it 4 stars until the last part where it touched upon my own inner voice, which prompted me to up it to five stars! Great work, Hugh Howey!
jonhester's review against another edition
5.0
Simply Fantastic. It's one of those books that you'll be thinking about for long after you've read it. The author describes this on his blog as Lord of the Flies meets Alien. I don't know how much I agree with the alien part but it definitely is very similar to Lord of the Flies. Except, while not a huge fan of Lord of the Flies, I absolutely loved this book.
_stephp's review against another edition
4.0
Afin de coloniser l'univers, les terriens envoient sur des planètes qu'ils estiment viables 500 embryons humains qui doivent se développer en couveuse durant 30 ans. Ils reçoivent une éducation, apprennent un langage et chacun est "programmé" génétiquement pour un métier spécifique.
Or, sur cette colonie, un incendie éclate, et seuls une cinquantaine de jeunes de 15 ans échappent à la catastrophe. Ils doivent alors s'organiser, obéir à l'intelligence artificielle qui les dirige, et s'adapter aux ressources dont ils disposent. Mais cette IA veut-elle vraiment leur bien ? Et cette planète est-elle vraiment adaptée à l'homme ?
Une bien belle surprise que ce roman de SF, à la limite de la littérature Young Adult, et qui décrit avec finesse les rapports humains. Où est l'inné ? Où est l'acquis ?
Or, sur cette colonie, un incendie éclate, et seuls une cinquantaine de jeunes de 15 ans échappent à la catastrophe. Ils doivent alors s'organiser, obéir à l'intelligence artificielle qui les dirige, et s'adapter aux ressources dont ils disposent. Mais cette IA veut-elle vraiment leur bien ? Et cette planète est-elle vraiment adaptée à l'homme ?
Une bien belle surprise que ce roman de SF, à la limite de la littérature Young Adult, et qui décrit avec finesse les rapports humains. Où est l'inné ? Où est l'acquis ?
emjay24's review against another edition
3.0
This is a science fiction book about the future where they send prepackaged colonies to distant places. when they land at their destination the whole thing sets itself up, and people mature in pods, til they're ready to come out all grown up and ready to resume their rolls. sometimes the kits arrive and the place isn't right for colonization after all and the whole thing aborts and self destructs. in this case, that started to happen, then was stopped. the people are still young and haven't learned everything yet and start to have minds of their own. it's pretty interesting although the story seems to get carried away from itself by the end.
sjacks's review against another edition
adventurous
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? Yes
3.25
wordyanchorite's review against another edition
3.0
First: This isn't YA. It has teenage characters, though like the children in an Orson Scott Card story, they never convincingly act their age. But this isn't YA.
The concept is promising. The execution is disappointing. The ending gets preachy. The characterization is weak, but the cast is huge. Events happen in sequence, but it's not quite clear where it's all headed. It's all a little undercooked. (The afterword days this began as a NaNoWriMo project, and unfortunately, it still shows.)
The concept is promising. The execution is disappointing. The ending gets preachy. The characterization is weak, but the cast is huge. Events happen in sequence, but it's not quite clear where it's all headed. It's all a little undercooked. (The afterword days this began as a NaNoWriMo project, and unfortunately, it still shows.)
modeislodis's review against another edition
2.0
Not as engaging as Wool. In comparison, I felt like Half Way Home was silly.