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platyphemus's review
3.0
I don't think I HAVE to read any more Polity novels.
This is not so much a rejection, but just the realization that came to me in the second half of this novel, having completed the Transformation trilogy last year, that this one hits a lot of the same notes with less of the exploration of identity and morality of the later series.
I like the futuristic, outer-space based human/AI setting of the Polity universe. The pacing comes at a fast clip, and there are five or so plots from various points of view that come together in a way I found satisfying.
I find the characters a bit arch- the war hero is a Very British John Wayne, the evil aliens are The Most Evil, and the female protagonist....thinks stuff. I also find it funny that in this future where humans can take on any appearance they want, control their physiology, opening up for a wide spectrum of expression, this society is rigidly cis/hetero. I guess despite the author's wide imagination, it didn't allow for the possibility that while people might want to look like snakes and cats or super buff, they always follow mainstream gender and sexual norms. Not so much a complaint, I just feel like the opportunity is a very logical place for this Polity universe to explore. Maybe the AIs that control everything are reactionaries in LGBTQ rights?
There's also another sociopath genius character in this novel, which was my least favorite part of the later 2/3 of Transformation. The characters were quite different on the surface and background, but the narrative hit the same creepy, nihilistic beats, and I found that to be the low point of this one too.
So, I finished this one, enjoyed it and am satisfied with my time in the Polity.
This is not so much a rejection, but just the realization that came to me in the second half of this novel, having completed the Transformation trilogy last year, that this one hits a lot of the same notes with less of the exploration of identity and morality of the later series.
I like the futuristic, outer-space based human/AI setting of the Polity universe. The pacing comes at a fast clip, and there are five or so plots from various points of view that come together in a way I found satisfying.
I find the characters a bit arch- the war hero is a Very British John Wayne, the evil aliens are The Most Evil, and the female protagonist....thinks stuff. I also find it funny that in this future where humans can take on any appearance they want, control their physiology, opening up for a wide spectrum of expression, this society is rigidly cis/hetero. I guess despite the author's wide imagination, it didn't allow for the possibility that while people might want to look like snakes and cats or super buff, they always follow mainstream gender and sexual norms. Not so much a complaint, I just feel like the opportunity is a very logical place for this Polity universe to explore. Maybe the AIs that control everything are reactionaries in LGBTQ rights?
There's also another sociopath genius character in this novel, which was my least favorite part of the later 2/3 of Transformation. The characters were quite different on the surface and background, but the narrative hit the same creepy, nihilistic beats, and I found that to be the low point of this one too.
So, I finished this one, enjoyed it and am satisfied with my time in the Polity.
halfmanhalfbook's review
3.0
It is set on the outer reaches of the Polity universe that Asher has created, this is about humans encountering alien life.
The Prador are a invertebrate race that have a strictly defined pyramid family structure. They are brutal and callous, cruel and nasty. The family has three levels of children that as they climb the ladder and they are named when they reach to top. The fight to the top is hard and often fatal.
When the civilisations meet the Prador capture kill and eat their human captives. A plan is hatched to stop them getting to other parts of the Polity via the runcible wormholes, but there is a traitor in the Polity. It all leads to a big showdown.
Most enjoyed this, the technology in the book, and the aug's that are computer attached to the brain are excellent. There is lots of action, space battles and fights when they meet, but I thought that the plot was not as strong as it could have been.
The Prador are a invertebrate race that have a strictly defined pyramid family structure. They are brutal and callous, cruel and nasty. The family has three levels of children that as they climb the ladder and they are named when they reach to top. The fight to the top is hard and often fatal.
When the civilisations meet the Prador capture kill and eat their human captives. A plan is hatched to stop them getting to other parts of the Polity via the runcible wormholes, but there is a traitor in the Polity. It all leads to a big showdown.
Most enjoyed this, the technology in the book, and the aug's that are computer attached to the brain are excellent. There is lots of action, space battles and fights when they meet, but I thought that the plot was not as strong as it could have been.
shl1980's review against another edition
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
statler_waldorf's review against another edition
5.0
A better starting point for the Polity series than Gridlinked.
alastairhm's review against another edition
3.0
An easy read but still an enjoyable SciFi romp, could have been longer, left me wanting more.
I found the eBook from Amazon contained a number of spelling mistakes and occasionally the odd paragraph formatting.
I found the eBook from Amazon contained a number of spelling mistakes and occasionally the odd paragraph formatting.
rikeuvan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jwilker's review against another edition
2.0
Wasn't really that impressed. I've seen Asher's work referenced several times around other books, so I decided to check him out. Maybe the hype was too much but really not overwhelmed.
The story was interesting but too short, leaving a ton of things out that woulda made it better, IMO.
The story was interesting but too short, leaving a ton of things out that woulda made it better, IMO.
conalo's review against another edition
4.0
An entertaining story that I enjoyed reading. It did take a while to get used to the story pacing and the rapid change of characters that were being discussed but this did not really detract from the story. I will be reading more if the on-going story in this universe by this author.
4 stars and recommended for fans of military sci-fi and weapons technology.
4 stars and recommended for fans of military sci-fi and weapons technology.
halfmanhalfbook's review against another edition
3.0
It is set on the outer reaches of the Polity universe that Asher has created, this is about humans encountering alien life.
The Prador are a invertebrate race that have a strictly defined pyramid family structure. They are brutal and callous, cruel and nasty. The family has three levels of children that as they climb the ladder and they are named when they reach to top. The fight to the top is hard and often fatal.
When the civilisations meet the Prador capture kill and eat their human captives. A plan is hatched to stop them getting to other parts of the Polity via the runcible wormholes, but there is a traitor in the Polity. It all leads to a big showdown.
Most enjoyed this, the technology in the book, and the aug's that are computer attached to the brain are excellent. There is lots of action, space battles and fights when they meet, but I thought that the plot was not as strong as it could have been.
The Prador are a invertebrate race that have a strictly defined pyramid family structure. They are brutal and callous, cruel and nasty. The family has three levels of children that as they climb the ladder and they are named when they reach to top. The fight to the top is hard and often fatal.
When the civilisations meet the Prador capture kill and eat their human captives. A plan is hatched to stop them getting to other parts of the Polity via the runcible wormholes, but there is a traitor in the Polity. It all leads to a big showdown.
Most enjoyed this, the technology in the book, and the aug's that are computer attached to the brain are excellent. There is lots of action, space battles and fights when they meet, but I thought that the plot was not as strong as it could have been.
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