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anotherpath's review against another edition
3.0
Occasionally books that are a part of trilogies are better known for being stand-alone novels. This may be the case with PKD's Valis trilogy. This second novel isn't awful. It just doesn't make a lot of sense, and it sort of pales next to the first book.
There's less cosmogony and more, "here's how the apocalypse could go", without the actual apocalypse.
Linda Fox is the spell, the problem, the illusion, and then finally the solution and savior to our protagonist, all despite having her period? Poor Rybys, Herb Asher didn't deserve you.
If he discards the human characters in the third novel again, I'm going to be miffed at the mistreatment of this story's Madonna figure.
It feels like this isn't his best work, but I still enjoyed the ride.
There's less cosmogony and more, "here's how the apocalypse could go", without the actual apocalypse.
Linda Fox is the spell, the problem, the illusion, and then finally the solution and savior to our protagonist, all despite having her period? Poor Rybys, Herb Asher didn't deserve you.
If he discards the human characters in the third novel again, I'm going to be miffed at the mistreatment of this story's Madonna figure.
It feels like this isn't his best work, but I still enjoyed the ride.
rocketiza's review against another edition
1.0
Fell right into the religious interpretations that I always hate category.
gavgav's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
discogotbooks's review against another edition
4.0
So begins the transubsation of the universe. Thousands of years into the future where a two-headed church and state extend dominion across the galaxy, filled with ai-manufactured pop-stars to keep the hoopleheads in check. The baby dual-zygote Christ (masculine and femine) becomes human only to become inhuman. The end of all will come as the universe and all who inhabit it return to His body, to become whole again.
The schismatic universe that Horselover Fat discovered in 1974 begins the long process of reunification.
The schismatic universe that Horselover Fat discovered in 1974 begins the long process of reunification.
siriuschico's review against another edition
5.0
Meanwhile, VALIS (The first book of VALIS trilogy) is more of a philosophical tractate with a minimal story; The Divine Invasion is full-fledged science fiction with a newly born messiah. It is very loosely connected with the first book, where Sophia (Messiah, personification of Zebra) is killed. We will get another try in the unspecified future. However whole Earth is under the influence of Belial, and Yah can be only reborn in a distant colony. His return to earth is full of traps and obstructions.
Well... this is more of the classical P. K. Dick's, which transform into another theological tractate hallway throughout the book. It is more of the continuation of the author's view of the fight between good and evil. Even personal saviour - Linda Fox, can help us get rid of Belial, which influences our life vision.
I liked the first book a little bit more, VALIS does not try to hide what it is, but The Divine invasion could be excellent sci-fi only. New world order with Christian-Islam church, Science legate and supercomputer called "Noodle" is super intriguing. But anyway, that's not important because nothing is not not not real; it's just a hologram projected by VALIS - an ancient satellite guiding us to open our third eye. VALIS says to give it five stars.
Well... this is more of the classical P. K. Dick's, which transform into another theological tractate hallway throughout the book. It is more of the continuation of the author's view of the fight between good and evil. Even personal saviour - Linda Fox, can help us get rid of Belial, which influences our life vision.
I liked the first book a little bit more, VALIS does not try to hide what it is, but The Divine invasion could be excellent sci-fi only. New world order with Christian-Islam church, Science legate and supercomputer called "Noodle" is super intriguing. But anyway, that's not important because nothing is not not not real; it's just a hologram projected by VALIS - an ancient satellite guiding us to open our third eye. VALIS says to give it five stars.
xmenji's review against another edition
2.0
Thought I would get a cool scifi spinoff of a biblical story, got Herb Asher instead. Rybys deserves better.
smalefowles's review against another edition
3.0
Oh my lord.
Fun in places, but even the Bible didn't have that much exposition.
And if I were married to PKD and he wrote that? I would be preeeeeety pissed off.
Fun in places, but even the Bible didn't have that much exposition.
And if I were married to PKD and he wrote that? I would be preeeeeety pissed off.
jessidee's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5