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songwind's review against another edition
3.0
Crystal Rain was an enjoyable book with an interesting spin on an old idea. Humanity has been chased to a far off planet, and been cut off from home, and lost a lot of their tech base. The new spin comes from the depth of the "fall" and the roots from which the society sprang. Instead of the standard quasi-medieval feudalism we all know and expect, the largely Caribbean-descended survivors have managed to cling to late 19th/early 20th century tech and mostly communal government. This fact isn't a spoiler, as it becomes clear in the first handful of pages.
In addition to the fun setting, the story combines an amnesia mystery, horror elements, and an invasion story into a fun plot that hangs together believably well.
I plan to read the second book, sometime in the future.
In addition to the fun setting, the story combines an amnesia mystery, horror elements, and an invasion story into a fun plot that hangs together believably well.
I plan to read the second book, sometime in the future.
zaphod46's review against another edition
3.0
Steampunk. Carribean Steampunk. I like it.
Colonists from a space-faring, but sub jugated, Earth landed on a distant
planet and got caught up in a war between two “local” alien species over who
gets to dominate the planet. The humans used a super-EMP to trap the existing
aliens on the planet and stop the full-scale hostilities.
Over a few hundred years, the aliens set themselves up as gods and the
humans forgot what was going on. All this is learned through flashbacks as the
main character, one of the original colonists who was in stasis in orbit the whole
time, regains his memories and prevents the “evil” aliens from taking over the
whole planet.
Colonists from a space-faring, but sub jugated, Earth landed on a distant
planet and got caught up in a war between two “local” alien species over who
gets to dominate the planet. The humans used a super-EMP to trap the existing
aliens on the planet and stop the full-scale hostilities.
Over a few hundred years, the aliens set themselves up as gods and the
humans forgot what was going on. All this is learned through flashbacks as the
main character, one of the original colonists who was in stasis in orbit the whole
time, regains his memories and prevents the “evil” aliens from taking over the
whole planet.
zellm's review against another edition
2.0
Some of this book was good, some of it was confusing, and some of it was just unnecessary. It really felt like it exemplified the trope of civilized people vs "savages", which plays into rather than critiques racial issues. Generally pretty disappointing from that standpoint.
abigcoffeedragon's review against another edition
2.0
Not my style - I could not get into the world nor behind any of the characters.
gmvader's review against another edition
5.0
Many years ago the Old Father’s ventured into the stars and settled on distant planets. They founded a colony and trade port on Nanagada, using the nearby wormhole to trade among the stars. Then they encountered the Loa and the Teotl – two powerful races locked in a war that destroyed worlds. In order to stop the spread of the war to Earth and the other colonies some of the men of Nanagada destroyed the wormhole with a massive EMP pulse that knocked out all technology in the system and cut them off from the rest of the galaxy.
Now, many years have passed and the Azteca – a race descended from a remnant cult of Aztec Indians – are coming over the Wicked High Mountains, demanding blood sacrifice in the name of their gods, the Teotl.
Thus starts a race for survival for John DeBrun and the mysterious stranger, Pepper, who shows up with secrets about John’s past.
The Jamaican colonists on Nanagada give the book a unique feel that sets it apart from other science fiction.
The most important thing to know about this book, though, is that it is awesome. It happens fast and moves along one beat after the next until the ending is a drumroll. It’s a story of triumph and mystery and war and characters that are faced with difficult choices for themselves and for others. I will be looking for more of Buckell’s work in the future.
Now, many years have passed and the Azteca – a race descended from a remnant cult of Aztec Indians – are coming over the Wicked High Mountains, demanding blood sacrifice in the name of their gods, the Teotl.
Thus starts a race for survival for John DeBrun and the mysterious stranger, Pepper, who shows up with secrets about John’s past.
The Jamaican colonists on Nanagada give the book a unique feel that sets it apart from other science fiction.
The most important thing to know about this book, though, is that it is awesome. It happens fast and moves along one beat after the next until the ending is a drumroll. It’s a story of triumph and mystery and war and characters that are faced with difficult choices for themselves and for others. I will be looking for more of Buckell’s work in the future.
mjfmjfmjf's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting read. Basically Aztec Gods as aliens on a distant colony world stuck behind a destroyed wormhole. I apparently read book in this series some time ago and I guess I didn't realize it was part of a series, even a loose one. It had interesting pacing, readable but slow. And the interesting technology was almost always just barely off screen. There was also some pretty definite use of a Caribbean dialect. Nothing about this really blew me away. But it hints of possibilities in an author that I continue to follow.
essinink's review against another edition
On Hold: Page 53
Grabbed this because I've sort of liked Tobias Buckell's other work, but this really isn't grabbing me, and I haven't touched it in a couple weeks. Returning to library--maybe try again later.
Grabbed this because I've sort of liked Tobias Buckell's other work, but this really isn't grabbing me, and I haven't touched it in a couple weeks. Returning to library--maybe try again later.
grandgranini's review against another edition
2.0
Generic space opera with a caribbean flavor. Actually had trouble getting through to the end, and forgot all about the plot as soon as I closed the book. Won't be reading the sequels. Great cover illustration though.
abhrasach's review against another edition
4.0
Okay, if you'd told me "steampunk Aztecs in space," I would have laughed. But picking it up with no idea what it was about, I was sucked right in and enjoyed the ride.
garretreece's review against another edition
2.0
Interesting but poorly paced book with dialog that made me consider personally emailing the author and yelling at him. The characters and storylines are inconsistent to boot. Not really recommended.