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jumbleread's review against another edition
3.0
Darn - too many characters for me to follow. Really interesting world building though. I might have to return to this book later - or read it instead of listening to it.
ginganinja2507's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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? Yes
4.0
beth_dawkins's review against another edition
4.0
4.5
This is the third and last book of the series. The generation ship Jacob’s Ladder has found a planet. The ship might not be able to last trying to find another planet. They take to calling the planet Grail, but its name is actually Fortune. In the midst of discovery, and deciding if the planet is occupied someone close to Captain Perceval is killed.
It introduces new characters to the story from Grail. They, like the people on Jacob’s Ladder, are originally from earth. Their leader, Premier Danilaw, and Captain Amanda make first contact with the members of the generation ship. They find people who look more like aliens than human. The people on Jacob’s Ladder have changed themselves through some strange engineering, and have something called colonies. Colonies help them to regulated body functions to survive or adapt in harsh conditions. It causes a change in appearance, and also can connect with the ship’s AI or Angel.
Colonies of the dead can be transferred into people, or even placed in bodies. Because of this an old enemy comes back with the help of a reverent or seed of a past angel.
While all of that is developing, the reader gets to explore the humans from Grail as they come aboard the ship. Danilaw understands that the ship needs refuge, but is worried about his own people. He is trying to come to a peaceful solution, but humans have changed. There are no wars because of ‘Right-Minding,’ a surgical process that takes out the human impulse to compete. It also seems to have drained some creative impulses.
I really enjoyed the differences between the people from Grail and the ship. Danilaw was a very interesting character, and the right-minding process made this reader think. I did wish he had more questions for the people on the ship, his reactions to things seemed right on.
The story comes ahead when Perceval and Tristen venture to Grail. I wouldn’t have minded seeing more of the planet. The book does an excellent job of describing the surroundings. The trip to Grail is no different. For Perceval and Tristen, who have never been on a planet, everything is new.
The end is something I never expect, but was more than pleasantly surprised. The story has an excellent pay off that I am sure will stay with me. The first book in the series, Dust, I thought was amazing. I didn’t enjoy the second as much, but I felt Grail made up for it.
If you are looking for a space opera that has a lot of depth, I recommend this series. The environments are beautiful, and altogether wonderfully strange. The story blends together mythology, ecology, and technology, with an unforgettable cast of characters. It is not light reading, but is one that will stay with me for plenty of time to come.
This is the third and last book of the series. The generation ship Jacob’s Ladder has found a planet. The ship might not be able to last trying to find another planet. They take to calling the planet Grail, but its name is actually Fortune. In the midst of discovery, and deciding if the planet is occupied someone close to Captain Perceval is killed.
It introduces new characters to the story from Grail. They, like the people on Jacob’s Ladder, are originally from earth. Their leader, Premier Danilaw, and Captain Amanda make first contact with the members of the generation ship. They find people who look more like aliens than human. The people on Jacob’s Ladder have changed themselves through some strange engineering, and have something called colonies. Colonies help them to regulated body functions to survive or adapt in harsh conditions. It causes a change in appearance, and also can connect with the ship’s AI or Angel.
Colonies of the dead can be transferred into people, or even placed in bodies. Because of this an old enemy comes back with the help of a reverent or seed of a past angel.
While all of that is developing, the reader gets to explore the humans from Grail as they come aboard the ship. Danilaw understands that the ship needs refuge, but is worried about his own people. He is trying to come to a peaceful solution, but humans have changed. There are no wars because of ‘Right-Minding,’ a surgical process that takes out the human impulse to compete. It also seems to have drained some creative impulses.
I really enjoyed the differences between the people from Grail and the ship. Danilaw was a very interesting character, and the right-minding process made this reader think. I did wish he had more questions for the people on the ship, his reactions to things seemed right on.
The story comes ahead when Perceval and Tristen venture to Grail. I wouldn’t have minded seeing more of the planet. The book does an excellent job of describing the surroundings. The trip to Grail is no different. For Perceval and Tristen, who have never been on a planet, everything is new.
The end is something I never expect, but was more than pleasantly surprised. The story has an excellent pay off that I am sure will stay with me. The first book in the series, Dust, I thought was amazing. I didn’t enjoy the second as much, but I felt Grail made up for it.
If you are looking for a space opera that has a lot of depth, I recommend this series. The environments are beautiful, and altogether wonderfully strange. The story blends together mythology, ecology, and technology, with an unforgettable cast of characters. It is not light reading, but is one that will stay with me for plenty of time to come.
verkisto's review against another edition
3.0
What I said about the first two books in the series -- great world-building, intriguing ideas, and a great narrative style, if somewhat impenetrable at times -- stands for Grail, too, though I like how Bear brings in an outside perspective to the story. It serves to highlight how bonkers some of the characters and ideals are, and also gives the reader more information on the circumstances that led to the launch of the world ship so many years ago. I liked that angle of the story, but not enough to elevate this book above the previous two books. They're good, and I enjoyed them, but I also had to force myself to finish them, as the narrative wasn't always the most engaging.
People who like stories with a bit of a challenge would like this series. Those who prefer breezier reads might want to take a taste of the stories before committing to the entire trilogy.
People who like stories with a bit of a challenge would like this series. Those who prefer breezier reads might want to take a taste of the stories before committing to the entire trilogy.
sarahbotreads's review against another edition
4.0
I loved getting to see the crew of the Jacob's Ladder from an outside perspective; I liked the new characters that were introduced. I think that I don't love this one as much as I loved the other two because it was the *end* of the series, and I just want more.
kristamccracken's review against another edition
4.0
This was probably my favourite book of the three in the Jacobs Ladder series. This one seemed to flow better and was less held up by technical explanations or world building. The characters fit like an old hat but still have new complexities developing throughout the book. I really enjoyed the premise of the book - a generation ship making contact with a human colony in space. And despite both being descendants from humans on earth the groups are vastly different in physical construct, mindset, and worldview. The stark differences in the two groups highlights the range of potential in the human race and the many divergent paths that we may take.
rpbperry's review against another edition
5.0
Outstanding 3rd volume of an outstanding SF trilogy! With writers like Bear the future of quality SF/Fantasy is in good hands.
universalhat's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed this entire trilogy, with the exception of about the last fifth of this book. It's very well-written, I enjoy the characters - even the ones I don't like personally are well-made complete people. And the story these books tell is engrossing, and I wouldn't unread them for anything.
But the resolution to this book left me with a bit of a "huh?" feeling. Sort of an "if you could do that the whole time, what was the point of the previous two books" feeling. Inkeeping with the tone of the books to have a bit of a deus ex machina at the end, but this felt a little abrupt. And still the question - if you could always do this, why did you ever not? Clearly we're no strangers to changing our bodies in this universe, and we're no strangers to hardship either - this seems to involve one and eliminate the other.
Maybe I have no ability to interpret subtlety.
I loved this series deeply, and might need time to internalize the ending. From where I'm standing now, it seemed - not rushed - but simply extremely abrupt.
But the resolution to this book left me with a bit of a "huh?" feeling. Sort of an "if you could do that the whole time, what was the point of the previous two books" feeling. Inkeeping with the tone of the books to have a bit of a deus ex machina at the end, but this felt a little abrupt. And still the question - if you could always do this, why did you ever not? Clearly we're no strangers to changing our bodies in this universe, and we're no strangers to hardship either - this seems to involve one and eliminate the other.
Maybe I have no ability to interpret subtlety.
I loved this series deeply, and might need time to internalize the ending. From where I'm standing now, it seemed - not rushed - but simply extremely abrupt.
kalanadi's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cpeel's review against another edition
4.0
This book highlights one of the things I love the most about science fiction: the exploration of what it means to be human. I was disappointed how it all came together in the end, but the journey was worth it.