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3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This futuristic story suffers a little from the time it was written (1980s) as the so-called 'modern' equipment seems somewhat old-fashioned compared to the progress made in the real world over the years since it was written.
For all that, it's a readable enough story, with some interesting characters, including a few extraterrestrials that are very different from humans. I love the idea of being able to communicate with dolphins and chimpanzees, which is part of the whole 'uplift' idea, although perhaps they'd have uplifted humans - who can say which is more intelligent!?!
The 'uplift' of the title is where one species is a mentor for a less developed species, and in this story, the galaxy is full of such 'peoples', Earth humans being a very young patron of dolphins and chimpanzees, etc, and therefore accepted as somewhat more important in the universe for having done so without knowledge of their own patrons, than they might otherwise have been. The hierarchy is a little confusing, but is less important to the whole story than it first appears.
Jacob Demwa, our 'hero' if you will (although he is not what i would classically think of as one), is taken to Mercury (inhabitable for short periods at least in this novel) where he joins a team of peoples who intend to visit the Sun in a specially designed spaceship (with mostly extraterrestrial technology) that keeps the heat from destroying it or killing those onboard, as they have discovered what appears to be life on it's surface!
There is mystery, adventure, and interesting characters along the way, including enough red herrings and confusion to make this a little more than a straight-forward sci-fi, but it had a lot of convoluted reasoning that I did find a little confusing, otherwise I may have rated it higher. I probably won't bother with the sequels.
For all that, it's a readable enough story, with some interesting characters, including a few extraterrestrials that are very different from humans. I love the idea of being able to communicate with dolphins and chimpanzees, which is part of the whole 'uplift' idea, although perhaps they'd have uplifted humans - who can say which is more intelligent!?!
The 'uplift' of the title is where one species is a mentor for a less developed species, and in this story, the galaxy is full of such 'peoples', Earth humans being a very young patron of dolphins and chimpanzees, etc, and therefore accepted as somewhat more important in the universe for having done so without knowledge of their own patrons, than they might otherwise have been. The hierarchy is a little confusing, but is less important to the whole story than it first appears.
Jacob Demwa, our 'hero' if you will (although he is not what i would classically think of as one), is taken to Mercury (inhabitable for short periods at least in this novel) where he joins a team of peoples who intend to visit the Sun in a specially designed spaceship (with mostly extraterrestrial technology) that keeps the heat from destroying it or killing those onboard, as they have discovered what appears to be life on it's surface!
There is mystery, adventure, and interesting characters along the way, including enough red herrings and confusion to make this a little more than a straight-forward sci-fi, but it had a lot of convoluted reasoning that I did find a little confusing, otherwise I may have rated it higher. I probably won't bother with the sequels.
Fascinating universe, but badly written. Despite that I plan to read the rest of the trilogy.
Really liked the prose and the novel characters and world building. The plot left me wanting although that's primarily about it's focus. I went in expecting a sci-fi exploration, but whilst that was there it was only 10% of the plot. In fact it was far more focused on political intrigue and mystery surrounding characters real motivations. Well written but not what I was after.
3.5 stars
I went in knowing this was considered the weakest of the series. However, I was still blown away by the world Dr. Brin has constructed. His description of the few alien species is especially noteworthy. The Kanten, plant-like photosynthizers, were probably my favorite alien creature. Dr. Brin knows his science, and you will come away from certain passages feeling enlightened. This is why I love the "hard" science fiction sungenre.
Yes, the protagonist is a ding dong. Yes, some the plot elements could have been handled more carefully. Yes, his characterization can be infuriatingly shallow. But, this is his first book.
Don't skip this.
I went in knowing this was considered the weakest of the series. However, I was still blown away by the world Dr. Brin has constructed. His description of the few alien species is especially noteworthy. The Kanten, plant-like photosynthizers, were probably my favorite alien creature. Dr. Brin knows his science, and you will come away from certain passages feeling enlightened. This is why I love the "hard" science fiction sungenre.
Yes, the protagonist is a ding dong. Yes, some the plot elements could have been handled more carefully. Yes, his characterization can be infuriatingly shallow. But, this is his first book.
Don't skip this.
I picked this book up for like $2 in a ferry terminal book rack (alongside the pulp romance novels as you would expect), and wasn't expecting a whole lot, but I knew Brin was well-respected.
As such, it far exceeded my expectations - this book was fantastic. Engaging, well-written, lots of interesting characters, a mystery plot that twists and turns and caught me off guard more than once, and some really fascinating creatures and exploration of some interesting ideas.
The great thing about this book is that there are so many different elements, and they're all very strongly written, such that each of them could probably stand on its own as a shorter story, but they're all here working together to tell an engaging story that much better.
The uplift social dynamics from which the saga takes its name is well thought out and has lots of interesting consequences, for humans and aliens alike. The motivations and interactions of the characters are great - I always love when sci-fi writers actually make use of the fundamental differences between the species they conjure up, rather than just describing them and then treating everyone more or less as differently-shaped humans. The characters are interesting, varied, and easy to care about and get tied up with.
Lots of brilliant stuff excellently written makes for a book that's easy to read, hard to put down, and an enjoyable jaunt through the realms of science fiction for your brain.
As such, it far exceeded my expectations - this book was fantastic. Engaging, well-written, lots of interesting characters, a mystery plot that twists and turns and caught me off guard more than once, and some really fascinating creatures and exploration of some interesting ideas.
The great thing about this book is that there are so many different elements, and they're all very strongly written, such that each of them could probably stand on its own as a shorter story, but they're all here working together to tell an engaging story that much better.
The uplift social dynamics from which the saga takes its name is well thought out and has lots of interesting consequences, for humans and aliens alike. The motivations and interactions of the characters are great - I always love when sci-fi writers actually make use of the fundamental differences between the species they conjure up, rather than just describing them and then treating everyone more or less as differently-shaped humans. The characters are interesting, varied, and easy to care about and get tied up with.
Lots of brilliant stuff excellently written makes for a book that's easy to read, hard to put down, and an enjoyable jaunt through the realms of science fiction for your brain.
A very interesting take on "contact with galactic civilization" - what if all sapient aliens had been uplifted by genetic engineering by parent species, and decide their status based on the "lineage" of species that came before them - and who they might still be forced to serve as slaves. All except Humans, who are now divided into those who still believe in evolution of intelligence, and those who agree with the rest of the galaxy - that they were uplifted and abandoned long ago.
Quickly becomes wrapped up in interspecies politics, intrigue, and murder. A very fun read.
Quickly becomes wrapped up in interspecies politics, intrigue, and murder. A very fun read.
Some fun concepts and memorable alien characters, but centered around some dull, dumb humans. (That Mr. Hyde shit was so stupid and vague.) And to have the ending be “ooo it was a hoax all along” was so unsatisfying!!!! Argh
Twisty and inquisitive, Sundiver is more than just your average sci-fi novel. Brin incorporates many allegorical themes, casually dropping hints about Sherlock Holmes and Brave New World mere chapters away. Even though at times I felt the language a bit too technical for my non-astrophysics-mind, I found the story fun and look forward to picking up the sequel. I just hope some of the breaks and reasoning behind characters' actions are more thought out and purposeful.
What a fun jaunt to the Sun! It’s not one that I would recommend to first time science fiction readers, but it was a really great read.
Aboard an exploration ship attempting to reach the surface of the Sun, this group of explorers discover a sinister plot from within the surface of the planet. Are those beings on the Sun bipedal and sentient? Are they asking the crew to leave or forcing them out?
Adventure, exploration, discovery, deceit, espionage, and flat out fun.
Aboard an exploration ship attempting to reach the surface of the Sun, this group of explorers discover a sinister plot from within the surface of the planet. Are those beings on the Sun bipedal and sentient? Are they asking the crew to leave or forcing them out?
Adventure, exploration, discovery, deceit, espionage, and flat out fun.