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mylhibug's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
namulith's review against another edition
2.0
I was hoping that I'd like this book, but it was not meant to be. It started out well enough, but the story moved into a direction I just didn't like.
itabar's review against another edition
1.0
Gah! I'm glad the kickstarter had ended when I discovered it. Based on how much I enjoyed Sullivan's Riyria series, I would have supported it.
Sadly, this book is slow to get started and not very interesting.
My problems:
1. Pacing. The story *crawls* along.
2. The main character is not very interesting and worse, for a murder mystery, beyond clueless. Murders have occurred and it's pretty clear who was behind them. But he ignores all the clues for the sake of friendship. It would be a mercy to me if he got killed and the book ended where I've stopped, but I know it's not to be.
3. Too much religious drivel.
I can't stand it any more. I'm quitting even though I'm almost 2/3 in. I'll have to try to find the book at the library so I can just read the end.
Sadly, this book is slow to get started and not very interesting.
My problems:
1. Pacing. The story *crawls* along.
2. The main character is not very interesting and worse, for a murder mystery, beyond clueless. Murders have occurred and it's pretty clear who was behind them. But he ignores all the clues for the sake of friendship. It would be a mercy to me if he got killed and the book ended where I've stopped, but I know it's not to be.
3. Too much religious drivel.
I can't stand it any more. I'm quitting even though I'm almost 2/3 in. I'll have to try to find the book at the library so I can just read the end.
silea's review against another edition
2.0
If you're a liberal or progressive, and you want an author to use some hypothetical future world to pat you on the head that you're right in all your ideologies and beliefs, then look no further. My favorite part was when they said only a monster (they literally used the word 'monster') would deny lifesaving treatment to someone because they couldn't pay.
And let's be clear: i'm a leftie, a tree-hugging progressive. This 'liberals are right!' bias didn't offend me in the slightest. What offended me was the absolute bludgeoning sanctimony of it. It's like the worst Star Trek:TNG fanfic ever, where the wise future-people react with horror at the barbarity of the past, the cruelty that we 21-century people think is normal.
And the characters were no better. There was exactly one that i cared about in the slightest, and it wasn't sad-sack Ellis Rogers, trapped in a loveless marriage, diagnosed with a terminal disease, and worst of all, besties with the kind of caricature right-wing hypocrite who decries the welfare state while collecting government benefits.
So yeah, unimaginative future-world in line with what a zillion other authors have imagined, oppressive sanctimony, and characters that range from pathetic to annoying? Pass.
And let's be clear: i'm a leftie, a tree-hugging progressive. This 'liberals are right!' bias didn't offend me in the slightest. What offended me was the absolute bludgeoning sanctimony of it. It's like the worst Star Trek:TNG fanfic ever, where the wise future-people react with horror at the barbarity of the past, the cruelty that we 21-century people think is normal.
And the characters were no better. There was exactly one that i cared about in the slightest, and it wasn't sad-sack Ellis Rogers, trapped in a loveless marriage, diagnosed with a terminal disease, and worst of all, besties with the kind of caricature right-wing hypocrite who decries the welfare state while collecting government benefits.
So yeah, unimaginative future-world in line with what a zillion other authors have imagined, oppressive sanctimony, and characters that range from pathetic to annoying? Pass.
felinity's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
A great story, which does remind me of The Time Machine. Ellis builds a time-traveling device in his garage, and travels to the future with certain hopes and expectations. The society he finds astounds him, but - as The Traveller discovers - things are not as they seem, people change, and surprises may lurk around corners.
I really enjoyed this. It's light on the science (is there an earth-bound variant of space opera?), giving you the opportunity to concentrate on the characters and the philosophical questions raised without being distracted by technicalities.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
A great story, which does remind me of The Time Machine. Ellis builds a time-traveling device in his garage, and travels to the future with certain hopes and expectations. The society he finds astounds him, but - as The Traveller discovers - things are not as they seem, people change, and surprises may lurk around corners.
I really enjoyed this. It's light on the science (is there an earth-bound variant of space opera?), giving you the opportunity to concentrate on the characters and the philosophical questions raised without being distracted by technicalities.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
brianpipa's review against another edition
4.0
Received the ebook yesterday and finished it today. I stormed through the first six chapters before getting sleepy and going to bed. Finished the rest the next morning/afternoon. It kept me interested and was the fastest I have finished a book in some time.
I wavered between a 4 and a 5 star rating. It uses the time travel theme but only to really look deeper into the human condition and thoughts on god and religion, individuality, gay rights, and more... All wrapped up in a look into the future.
I enjoyed the book, but I'm not sure I would be interested in a sequel. I will be recommending this one to my friends though.
I wavered between a 4 and a 5 star rating. It uses the time travel theme but only to really look deeper into the human condition and thoughts on god and religion, individuality, gay rights, and more... All wrapped up in a look into the future.
I enjoyed the book, but I'm not sure I would be interested in a sequel. I will be recommending this one to my friends though.
happycerberus's review against another edition
5.0
The book has a slow start, but it picks up after the first third and will not let go until the end.
aidorei's review against another edition
5.0
A surprisingly clever and charming look at how perceptions can change when reality is shifted and world's are turned upside down. A new take on the time-travel genre and as fluid as the characters themselves, developed with a keen eye and far more enjoyable to read than anticipated.
gizmoto16's review against another edition
5.0
This is a really great, unique futuristic sci-fi book. Ellis was a great protagonist and Hollow World was a surprising imagining of the future. This was a much more philosophical book than the author's previous stories with some interesting thoughts on religion and politics. The writer's style makes it very easy to get sucked into, not being able to wait to see what happens next.
ghostmuppet's review against another edition
3.0
I am a little torn about this book. There were elements that I really enjoyed, others not as much. I liked how it started, then the time travel and exploration of the new world (Hollow World itself and the people within it i thought had the grounding for a great story).
The was the latter half that seemed a little run of the mill. 2 people pitched against each other, preventing the doom of the planet etc. Not bad ideas, but with the start of the book I think I was expecting it to go in a different direction. The premise reminded me a little of a Planet of the Apes film (I wont say which one to avoid any spoilers).
The audio book was well produced, and I think the narrator did fairly well with distinguishing between the characters - considering they were supposed to be very alike.
I am not certain if there will be a sequel. I hope there will be, but maybe with a story arc that's not so encompassing or world altering.
All in all, I enjoyed the book, but was let down a little by the ending story. Keep up the good work Mr Sullivan.
The was the latter half that seemed a little run of the mill. 2 people pitched against each other, preventing the doom of the planet etc. Not bad ideas, but with the start of the book I think I was expecting it to go in a different direction. The premise reminded me a little of a Planet of the Apes film (I wont say which one to avoid any spoilers).
The audio book was well produced, and I think the narrator did fairly well with distinguishing between the characters - considering they were supposed to be very alike.
I am not certain if there will be a sequel. I hope there will be, but maybe with a story arc that's not so encompassing or world altering.
All in all, I enjoyed the book, but was let down a little by the ending story. Keep up the good work Mr Sullivan.