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amynbell's review against another edition
3.0
The storyline was a good one when all the pieces finally came together in the end. However, a book should be good all over and not just at the end. The author didn't really let the reader inside the characters' heads. And, to me, that's what makes Torchwood good. In fact, the characters were barely recognizable as Torchwood characters other than names and basic facts (Ianto makes coffee, Owen is a doctor, etc.) Also, there was an awful lot of bantering dialogue that tried to incorporate inside-joke-type lingo that just doesn't exist in any of the Torchwood episodes or other books.
I did, however, like that the book gave a clearer picture of what Cardiff is in relation to the universe by introducing the concept of "border princes". It sort of sounds as if Cardiff has (to borrow from another sci-fi program) its own "stargate" which is what they've been calling a "rift". Interesting concept.
The baffling thing about this novel in the beginning is the introduction of a character named James that just pops into Torchwood out of nowhere. No, you're not going crazy. Yes, he's supposed to be there. And that's all I have to say without giving it away.
I did, however, like that the book gave a clearer picture of what Cardiff is in relation to the universe by introducing the concept of "border princes". It sort of sounds as if Cardiff has (to borrow from another sci-fi program) its own "stargate" which is what they've been calling a "rift". Interesting concept.
The baffling thing about this novel in the beginning is the introduction of a character named James that just pops into Torchwood out of nowhere. No, you're not going crazy. Yes, he's supposed to be there. And that's all I have to say without giving it away.
kat_94's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
rogue_runner's review against another edition
3.0
I'm not familiar with Torchwood at all, but I found this fairly easy to get into despite this. I could have done with a bit more background to start off with, as it was fairly bitty and complicated to begin- a complaint that other readers also seemed to have. It was quite easy to read and had some nice moments of downtime as well as action however, which was good to see.
The plot was a little bit all over the place with no clear continuity for most of the book. There were multiple plot leads that were interesting, but on the whole it didn't seem like the book was really going anywhere. I guessed the plot "twist" fairly early on.
Pretty bitty and could have done with a little bit more continuity. Easy reading though!
The plot was a little bit all over the place with no clear continuity for most of the book. There were multiple plot leads that were interesting, but on the whole it didn't seem like the book was really going anywhere. I guessed the plot "twist" fairly early on.
Pretty bitty and could have done with a little bit more continuity. Easy reading though!
nwhyte's review against another edition
"http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/1341870.html[return][return]This is the first Torchwood book I have read, rather than listened to, and it was a good start. Set before the end of the first season (indeed before Gwen's affair with Owen), the immediately striking thing is that the team has acquired a sixth member, James, who is rather too good a fit to be true. It's fairly obvious from the first page what the problem is; Abnett supplies us with a decent chewy and often witty tale of suspense as to how he will get to the inevitable conclusion (and exactly what form that conclusion will take), along with the usual weird alien menaces. I've seen some fans complain that apart from Gwen and Jack the team are rather obscured by the rest of the story, but really this points more to a problem of having a large ensemble cast to begin with."
soft_sarah's review against another edition
3.0
I'm giving this book 3.5 stars. If you are a fan of the tv show Torchwood then you will really enjoy it. However there are a few grammar mistakes in it but if you can get past that then it's a pretty good book and worth the read.
thiefofcamorr's review against another edition
4.0
James kills what otherwise could have been a decent story.
virago's review against another edition
2.0
Honestly it got two stars because I listened to Eve Myles reading the audiobook.
Ack! This was just bad. The story was just blah and couldn't even be saved by the voice performance of Eve Myles--who was a spectacular narrator. This book was just bad. It was boring and a bit all over the place and had way too much emphasis on a non team member. I don't think this was worthy of Torchwood. But it hasn't put me off the next book. I thought the previous book Another Life was pretty good, and I know they don't all have the same author, so there's hope that the next will be better.
Ack! This was just bad. The story was just blah and couldn't even be saved by the voice performance of Eve Myles--who was a spectacular narrator. This book was just bad. It was boring and a bit all over the place and had way too much emphasis on a non team member. I don't think this was worthy of Torchwood. But it hasn't put me off the next book. I thought the previous book Another Life was pretty good, and I know they don't all have the same author, so there's hope that the next will be better.
ellencorser's review
adventurous
challenging
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
louisethepoet's review against another edition
4.0
Tad predictable but good ending in a way I didn’t expect. A good afternoon read, it took my mind of personal stuff, which was its job - executed to perfection.