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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
adventurous
reflective
slow-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:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence
I quite liked this one. To me it feels like classic 1970s Science Fiction, the kind that actually has staying power. The main character, Snake, has a clear voice and is very sympathetic while human and fallible. The plot points around health and genetics are really fascinating and fairly prescient in many ways.
If you like class SF, don't miss this one. Really beautifully written and a fully formed world in only about 300 pages.
Also now I want pet poisonous snakes.
If you like class SF, don't miss this one. Really beautifully written and a fully formed world in only about 300 pages.
Also now I want pet poisonous snakes.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I'm always a bit nervous about science fiction that's as old as I am, but this one was absolutely great. My only complaint is that some of the actual science seems quite suspect, but given how much less people knew about genetic manipulation 40 years ago, it's still pretty good. The characters and settings are wonderful though.
Dreamsnake has a strong female protagonist who learns and grows and overcomes her challenges, primarily with the help of friends she didn't think she needed at the beginning of the story. At the time of release, this was unusual, which may have helped win the Hugo.
The setting is post-apocalyptic, but this doesn't add significantly to the story. If anything, it detracts somewhat - there is little explanation for the knowledge lost or the fracturing of society. After a mention, the aloof offworlders are also otherwise ignored.
I understand the first chapter of Dreamsnake was originally published as a short story. This won a Nebula award, and really shines. The middle chapters feel very episodic, adding little but their conclusions to the overall plot. More than halfway through the book, the full story gets rolling, alternating points of view between two characters and ending up together.
I especially enjoyed the ending - the paths that bring things together and the unexpected twists of biology that resolve much of the story. This story just wasn't amazing for me, though I think it might have been 35 years ago. Four stars.
The setting is post-apocalyptic, but this doesn't add significantly to the story. If anything, it detracts somewhat - there is little explanation for the knowledge lost or the fracturing of society. After a mention, the aloof offworlders are also otherwise ignored.
I understand the first chapter of Dreamsnake was originally published as a short story. This won a Nebula award, and really shines. The middle chapters feel very episodic, adding little but their conclusions to the overall plot. More than halfway through the book, the full story gets rolling, alternating points of view between two characters and ending up together.
I especially enjoyed the ending - the paths that bring things together and the unexpected twists of biology that resolve much of the story. This story just wasn't amazing for me, though I think it might have been 35 years ago. Four stars.
I'm not sure why this book didn't work for me but it didn't. I like strong female characters (check), interesting post-apocalypse settings (check) and unique mechanics (healing through tailored snake venom) but it never came together for me. One possibility was the unending series of bad things that happened to the main character. It was surprising at first but quickly my feelings changed to depression as yet more bad things happened.
I did like the concepts underlying the main story - gene manipulation, alien tech, enclaves, etc. - and a few of the story characters.
I did like the concepts underlying the main story - gene manipulation, alien tech, enclaves, etc. - and a few of the story characters.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes