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donbon's review against another edition
Feels like I could have like it, but I haven’t been interested in picking it back up in two weeks so maybe not.
hammerintoanvil's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
rossborkett's review against another edition
3.0
I struggled to follow some of this book, probably party my own fault for doing it in bits, and I think I would have been better to read than listen to on audio. The story itself was interesting and I enjoyed the greater exposure to all the Minds but it didn’t really grip me - seemed to take a long time to set the scene and get going. However I will continue the series through to the end
dracola112's review against another edition
5.0
Every time I start a new Culture book I think "surely this one won't blow my tits off from cover to cover, surely nobody's writing can be *this* fresh and cool and packed full of badass, imaginative ideas, he's gonna slip up eventually" and then he never DOES Banks is the GOAT
jmoses's review against another edition
5.0
Indeed, this is the Culture book I've been craving. The Culture is the story in this one, and it's a big complicated, wheels within wheels story. A variety of interesting characters with their own private dramas help keep the main story intimate, which is appropriate for the immensity of the situations. On finishing, all I can think is that "it's turtles all the way down."
monotropamine's review against another edition
5.0
Just finished a re-read of this one, and it was like coming back to snuggle up to a beloved friend, except the friend is a hyperintelligent, sarcastic AI ship.
pizzledmilk's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
julesdc's review against another edition
3.0
Excession is a difficult, and at times complicated read. It's narrative structure, vast array of characters and ideas make it almost overwhelming.
Over the course of the month it took to read and digest this novel my level of enjoyment hovered around 2, 3 and 4 stars. There were just too many side plots and distractions for my interest to remain constant. However, come the end Banks vast imagination and wealth of ideas won me over.
I adore The Culture series, as cold and challenging as they can sometimes be. And while this certainly isn't up there with the preceding three novels, it nevertheless impressed.
Over the course of the month it took to read and digest this novel my level of enjoyment hovered around 2, 3 and 4 stars. There were just too many side plots and distractions for my interest to remain constant. However, come the end Banks vast imagination and wealth of ideas won me over.
I adore The Culture series, as cold and challenging as they can sometimes be. And while this certainly isn't up there with the preceding three novels, it nevertheless impressed.