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teachinsci's review
3.0
Over the years, Ben Bova has earned his spot in the pantheon of great science fiction writers. This book, however, misses the mark. The writing is compelling, but I had since problems that destroyed my enjoyment of the book.
To start with, the main character, Tray, is developed in only the most minimal way. He has a compelling back story, having survived a mission in space that killed the rest of his crew and stranded him for hundreds of years. But, other than a few flashbacks and giving a reason for him to be under supervision, this matters not at all. But, this still makes him by far the most developed character in the book. The reasons for the behaviors of other characters is mostly straight forward with almost no nuance to their personalities.
To continue with Trayvon though, his age is also a problem for me... and seemed to be for Bova as well. Having spent almost 1500 years away from Earth, would imply that Tray would be a very different person linguistically and culturally from the people he returned to. This is hinted at once as a minor plot point, but in general, they all speak the dance language and speak using 21st century idiom and historical references. The year that this book takes place is not specifically given, but Tray is only half as old as the oldest character in the book so you have to figure at least 3200 years in the future (could be an alternate timeline compared to our Earth... see my full disclosure). However, it has been only several hundred years since the origins of the English language, if I went back a thousand years I would not only be impossible to understand, but would be hopelessly lost culturally. It seems a cop out to create a large historical gap and yet have no one refer to anything that happened during it.
Lastly, the story arc. It seemed like it started as an man against the powers-that-be adventure. Then, it morphed into an take of exploration that hinted at 20,000 Leagues style tech adventure. It then changed to take of intrigue and who-done-it. And finished up as a light political tale. I turned to the last page and stated, "that's it?" loud enough to surprise my wife.
Full disclosure, when I stated reading this, I did not realize that it was part of the Grand Tour saga by Bova. I am not familiar with that saga, so that may have colored my opinions.
All-in-all, chances are if you have read the other 22 books in the Grand Tour, you will be reading this one regardless of anything I say. You will enjoy the authorial style and understand the limits and history of this universe Bova had created in a way I don't. But, if this is your first venture into Ben Bova's works, I suggest starting elsewhere.
I received a copy of this work from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to both for the opportunity.
To start with, the main character, Tray, is developed in only the most minimal way. He has a compelling back story, having survived a mission in space that killed the rest of his crew and stranded him for hundreds of years. But, other than a few flashbacks and giving a reason for him to be under supervision, this matters not at all. But, this still makes him by far the most developed character in the book. The reasons for the behaviors of other characters is mostly straight forward with almost no nuance to their personalities.
To continue with Trayvon though, his age is also a problem for me... and seemed to be for Bova as well. Having spent almost 1500 years away from Earth, would imply that Tray would be a very different person linguistically and culturally from the people he returned to. This is hinted at once as a minor plot point, but in general, they all speak the dance language and speak using 21st century idiom and historical references. The year that this book takes place is not specifically given, but Tray is only half as old as the oldest character in the book so you have to figure at least 3200 years in the future (could be an alternate timeline compared to our Earth... see my full disclosure). However, it has been only several hundred years since the origins of the English language, if I went back a thousand years I would not only be impossible to understand, but would be hopelessly lost culturally. It seems a cop out to create a large historical gap and yet have no one refer to anything that happened during it.
Lastly, the story arc. It seemed like it started as an man against the powers-that-be adventure. Then, it morphed into an take of exploration that hinted at 20,000 Leagues style tech adventure. It then changed to take of intrigue and who-done-it. And finished up as a light political tale. I turned to the last page and stated, "that's it?" loud enough to surprise my wife.
Full disclosure, when I stated reading this, I did not realize that it was part of the Grand Tour saga by Bova. I am not familiar with that saga, so that may have colored my opinions.
All-in-all, chances are if you have read the other 22 books in the Grand Tour, you will be reading this one regardless of anything I say. You will enjoy the authorial style and understand the limits and history of this universe Bova had created in a way I don't. But, if this is your first venture into Ben Bova's works, I suggest starting elsewhere.
I received a copy of this work from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to both for the opportunity.
teachinsci's review against another edition
3.0
Over the years, Ben Bova has earned his spot in the pantheon of great science fiction writers. This book, however, misses the mark. The writing is compelling, but I had since problems that destroyed my enjoyment of the book.
To start with, the main character, Tray, is developed in only the most minimal way. He has a compelling back story, having survived a mission in space that killed the rest of his crew and stranded him for hundreds of years. But, other than a few flashbacks and giving a reason for him to be under supervision, this matters not at all. But, this still makes him by far the most developed character in the book. The reasons for the behaviors of other characters is mostly straight forward with almost no nuance to their personalities.
To continue with Trayvon though, his age is also a problem for me... and seemed to be for Bova as well. Having spent almost 1500 years away from Earth, would imply that Tray would be a very different person linguistically and culturally from the people he returned to. This is hinted at once as a minor plot point, but in general, they all speak the dance language and speak using 21st century idiom and historical references. The year that this book takes place is not specifically given, but Tray is only half as old as the oldest character in the book so you have to figure at least 3200 years in the future (could be an alternate timeline compared to our Earth... see my full disclosure). However, it has been only several hundred years since the origins of the English language, if I went back a thousand years I would not only be impossible to understand, but would be hopelessly lost culturally. It seems a cop out to create a large historical gap and yet have no one refer to anything that happened during it.
Lastly, the story arc. It seemed like it started as an man against the powers-that-be adventure. Then, it morphed into an take of exploration that hinted at 20,000 Leagues style tech adventure. It then changed to take of intrigue and who-done-it. And finished up as a light political tale. I turned to the last page and stated, "that's it?" loud enough to surprise my wife.
Full disclosure, when I stated reading this, I did not realize that it was part of the Grand Tour saga by Bova. I am not familiar with that saga, so that may have colored my opinions.
All-in-all, chances are if you have read the other 22 books in the Grand Tour, you will be reading this one regardless of anything I say. You will enjoy the authorial style and understand the limits and history of this universe Bova had created in a way I don't. But, if this is your first venture into Ben Bova's works, I suggest starting elsewhere.
I received a copy of this work from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to both for the opportunity.
To start with, the main character, Tray, is developed in only the most minimal way. He has a compelling back story, having survived a mission in space that killed the rest of his crew and stranded him for hundreds of years. But, other than a few flashbacks and giving a reason for him to be under supervision, this matters not at all. But, this still makes him by far the most developed character in the book. The reasons for the behaviors of other characters is mostly straight forward with almost no nuance to their personalities.
To continue with Trayvon though, his age is also a problem for me... and seemed to be for Bova as well. Having spent almost 1500 years away from Earth, would imply that Tray would be a very different person linguistically and culturally from the people he returned to. This is hinted at once as a minor plot point, but in general, they all speak the dance language and speak using 21st century idiom and historical references. The year that this book takes place is not specifically given, but Tray is only half as old as the oldest character in the book so you have to figure at least 3200 years in the future (could be an alternate timeline compared to our Earth... see my full disclosure). However, it has been only several hundred years since the origins of the English language, if I went back a thousand years I would not only be impossible to understand, but would be hopelessly lost culturally. It seems a cop out to create a large historical gap and yet have no one refer to anything that happened during it.
Lastly, the story arc. It seemed like it started as an man against the powers-that-be adventure. Then, it morphed into an take of exploration that hinted at 20,000 Leagues style tech adventure. It then changed to take of intrigue and who-done-it. And finished up as a light political tale. I turned to the last page and stated, "that's it?" loud enough to surprise my wife.
Full disclosure, when I stated reading this, I did not realize that it was part of the Grand Tour saga by Bova. I am not familiar with that saga, so that may have colored my opinions.
All-in-all, chances are if you have read the other 22 books in the Grand Tour, you will be reading this one regardless of anything I say. You will enjoy the authorial style and understand the limits and history of this universe Bova had created in a way I don't. But, if this is your first venture into Ben Bova's works, I suggest starting elsewhere.
I received a copy of this work from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to both for the opportunity.
scottpm's review
2.0
Ugh. I used to love Ben Bova but his work lately has gotten tired and formulaic. Introduce protagonists and antagonists , create sexual tension, yada yada yada, end. Far too much dialog and not enough plot, character or world development.
ekeiser8's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
worshipgeek's review
2.0
Meh book. Terrible ending. It was like he didn't know how to wrap it up, so he just slapped on a quick conclusion.
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