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tani's review against another edition
3.0
I thought I would really like this book, after all the favorable reviews I had read. But while it wasn't terrible, it wasn't really for me either. I think a lot of my problem was with Roen. He was just so thoughtless. Things that are obvious, like that when you command a group of soldiers, you probably will feel some responsibility for their deaths, were things that he only thought about at the last moment. It made him really hard to connect with, for me.
I did think it was an easy to read book, but I have to admit, I kind of lost patience for it when a character expressed some incredibly sexist views, which no one seemed to really object to. After that, really struggled with the rest of the book.
I liked the ending more than I thought I would, though, and I suppose I will consider reading the second book eventually. It just might take me a while to get there.
I did think it was an easy to read book, but I have to admit, I kind of lost patience for it when a character expressed some incredibly sexist views, which no one seemed to really object to. After that, really struggled with the rest of the book.
I liked the ending more than I thought I would, though, and I suppose I will consider reading the second book eventually. It just might take me a while to get there.
dai_shan's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bailo2's review against another edition
3.0
While this is a trilogy, I only got around to reading the first two books. I give it props for the concept. Basically, there’s a secret war going on between two alien races who survive on our planet by taking over the bodies of humans. They then commune with these humans, get them to join their cause, and turn them into secret agents. This war is ultimately what is behind both modern-day and historical wars and politics. That’s the best way I can sum it up. It sounds a bit corny when I write it, but I thought the premise could have a lot of potential. There are some interesting bits and characters, but the writer’s style and technique is a bit juvenile. In this case, that was distracting for me and made the story feel contrived. But I was interested enough to get my husband to tell me what happens in the third book. I wanted to know what happened but no longer wanted to wade through the author’s prose.
ward_ja's review against another edition
4.0
The premise of this novel is original enough to hold my interest from the start. The character development and detailed execution was just OK. Lots of promise for the future as the writer develops.
littletaiko's review against another edition
4.0
I really don't remember why I bought this book several years ago and wasn't even sure what this book was about. It was a pleasant surprise to start reading this rather funny, sci-fi novel and be introduced to Tao. In a nutshell, Tao is an alien who resides in a host body and has been involved in a long war with another group of aliens who would like to destroy the world. When Tao suddenly needs to a new host body, he ends up with Roen, an out of shape, corporate drone type who doesn't have much initiative. He doesn't realize how his whole world is about to change. This was such fun - really looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
barf_mobile's review against another edition
Definitely didn't read the synopsis right. Thought this had more to do with reincarnation than just a spy thriller with aliens. Totally not in the right audience for this.
wildfaeriecaps's review against another edition
4.0
I did not expect to like this book. It's not exactly my standard fare. By the second chapter I was completely hooked. Wow. I cannot wait to devour the rest of this series. I won't lie, there were places where I was reluctant to keep reading. "This is standard spy movie stuff, I don't wanna!" my brain screamed. And it was, but.. it also wasn't. Roen is so.. human. He's a great character. His relationship with Tao is delightful and believable (I mean, the way they talk to each other. Not.. er.. spoilers, maybe..). I loved all the characters and felt like they were very well fleshed out. Okay, maybe not Antonio. He felt like a prop, but I was mostly fine with that.
Anyway! I suck at reviewing books. Here's my main takeaway from this: It was really good. Amazing. Excellent. It's on my list of books to recommend to people! And I look forward to reading more by Wesley Chu.
Anyway! I suck at reviewing books. Here's my main takeaway from this: It was really good. Amazing. Excellent. It's on my list of books to recommend to people! And I look forward to reading more by Wesley Chu.
rtpodzemny's review against another edition
4.0
What is the common thread of greatness that links titans of history like Genghis Khan, Alexander the Great, and Napoleon? Is it some vital spark of knowledge or inspiration? The sheer will to power? Is greatness found in the human spirit, or the human genome? Or did they all have an invisible alien brain worm telling them what to do?
Oh, it's the last one? The alien brain worm thing? Well, glad that's sorted, then. Thanks, Wesley Chu.
The Lives of Tao is an imaginative and fast-paced sci-fi thriller that, like its titular alien brain worm, manages to be intimate and epoch-spanning at once. I'm really looking forward to the sequel, and whatever Mr. Chu comes up with next.
Oh, it's the last one? The alien brain worm thing? Well, glad that's sorted, then. Thanks, Wesley Chu.
The Lives of Tao is an imaginative and fast-paced sci-fi thriller that, like its titular alien brain worm, manages to be intimate and epoch-spanning at once. I'm really looking forward to the sequel, and whatever Mr. Chu comes up with next.
dantastic's review against another edition
4.0
When secret agent Edward Blair is betrayed and killed, Tao, the alien symbiont that lives within him, must find a suitable host to continue the centuries long war between his faction, The Prophus, and their archenemies, the Genjix. Too bad he winds up inside overweight IT worker Roen Tan instead. Can Tao whip Roen into shape before the Genjix find him?
When Angry Robot offered an ARC of this book in their weekly newsletter, I jumped at the chance to request one. Two alien factions waging war against each other using humans as hosts and pawns? What's not to like?
Nothing, as it turns out. Lives of the Tao is an engaging read from start to finish. Roen's journey takes him from being an overweight, weak-willed shlub to a major player in a war for Earth's future. Not bad for an IT guy who hasn't had a girlfriend in ten years.
The relationships in Lives of the Tao are what drives the story forward, most notably Roen's relationships with Tao, the alien living inside his head, and Sonya, the Phophys host assigned to help Tao whip him into shape.
It's a fun read. One of my favorite parts is how Tao related a paragraph or two of the history between the two Quasing factions, the Genjix and the Prophus, at the beginning of each chapter, sometimes paralleling events in the story.
The ending, while somewhat predictable, was perfect for the story and left it open-ended enough for future adventures of Roen and Tao. Four easy stars.
When Angry Robot offered an ARC of this book in their weekly newsletter, I jumped at the chance to request one. Two alien factions waging war against each other using humans as hosts and pawns? What's not to like?
Nothing, as it turns out. Lives of the Tao is an engaging read from start to finish. Roen's journey takes him from being an overweight, weak-willed shlub to a major player in a war for Earth's future. Not bad for an IT guy who hasn't had a girlfriend in ten years.
The relationships in Lives of the Tao are what drives the story forward, most notably Roen's relationships with Tao, the alien living inside his head, and Sonya, the Phophys host assigned to help Tao whip him into shape.
It's a fun read. One of my favorite parts is how Tao related a paragraph or two of the history between the two Quasing factions, the Genjix and the Prophus, at the beginning of each chapter, sometimes paralleling events in the story.
The ending, while somewhat predictable, was perfect for the story and left it open-ended enough for future adventures of Roen and Tao. Four easy stars.
nenya_kanadka's review against another edition
2.0
I liked the idea, but the execution was much too heavy on casual sexism and flat dialogue for me. I cared a lot more about the Prophus/Genjix war than I did about what was going on with Roen.