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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
Overall a very creative and fun sci-fi book. The worldbuilding is really well done, and the author creates a universe that sounds fun to explore. There are also a lot of fun action setpiece moments that if this was ever adapted to the screen, would translate pretty well. What I didn't like as much was that the plot, while fine, was kind of disjointed and weirdly paced. I definitely got the impression that the author did the worldbuilding first, then retrofitted a plot to fit into it. The main character also isn't super likeable, though I don't think he's supposed to be, and the supporting cast of characters still does a great job. Lastly, there's one part in the book, without spoiling which, that just felt kinda gratuitously messed up in a way that didn't really contribute at all to the story or character development, and just felt thrown in there for shock value.
On the whole though, I'd say the book is about the sum of its parts, and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
On the whole though, I'd say the book is about the sum of its parts, and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
Consider Phlebas kicks off the Culture series in pretty interesting fashion.
This book is most obviously a critique of war. There are some chapters after the end of the story that extrapolate the story out a bit and you get to see some of the ramifications of this story that are really sticking with me.
As for the story itself? It was good. I really liked Bora Horza Gobuchul. I thought he was a great protagonist to follow, especially with how much he seemed to hate the Culture. This series is called the Culture, yet the first book is following someone who is highly critical of it.
This is where we might ask, what is the Culture? Well if you know Star Trek, it's basically the Federation. Except where the TV show kept it pretty clean, this series is trying to show us what would this socialist paradise actually look like with real people. It would be hedonistic. There would be a lot more division among the people as we have a culture where every viewpoint is more or less valid. It's interesting, but, since I was mostly outside the Culture with this book, I feel like I just got the barest glimpse of what the Culture actually is. And also a little bit of a skewed glimpse at that.
Looking forward to checking out book 2 sometime in the near future.
This book is most obviously a critique of war. There are some chapters after the end of the story that extrapolate the story out a bit and you get to see some of the ramifications of this story that are really sticking with me.
As for the story itself? It was good. I really liked Bora Horza Gobuchul. I thought he was a great protagonist to follow, especially with how much he seemed to hate the Culture. This series is called the Culture, yet the first book is following someone who is highly critical of it.
This is where we might ask, what is the Culture? Well if you know Star Trek, it's basically the Federation. Except where the TV show kept it pretty clean, this series is trying to show us what would this socialist paradise actually look like with real people. It would be hedonistic. There would be a lot more division among the people as we have a culture where every viewpoint is more or less valid. It's interesting, but, since I was mostly outside the Culture with this book, I feel like I just got the barest glimpse of what the Culture actually is. And also a little bit of a skewed glimpse at that.
Looking forward to checking out book 2 sometime in the near future.
First novel in the Culture series written by Banks. Fairly lengthy recount of Horza’s adventures which includes many high-action events. Between the events, during the lulls, we learn about the different individuals making up the cast - different types of creatures from different worlds and some of the historical background which partially explains the behavior of characters and the sequence of events which Horza undertakes. It provides background which would lead to other novels in the series. Most reviews of this volume don’t rate this one highly with respect to the entire series and most say that the volumes don’t have to be read in order. I liked this volume for the unique setting created and will read the second book in the series next (The Player of Games).
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read it... but it is a slog. Some great premises, story, and characters that are almost completely lost in a sea of random descriptive dives that add little or nothing to the narrative. It reminds me of reading James Michener. Arguably good books that get lost in their own tangential minutia. Save the time and skip this one.
It features a very interesting universe, but the story itself plays out like an action-movie: constant cycles between short conversations followed by insane, rapidly escalating action scenes. It just didn't work for me.
Very well written, with amazing world building culled from an amazing imagination. One would think that with the plot jumping from one bizarre situation to another, the book would race along, but in truth, it felt like 17 distinct novels pushed into one, like an overpacked suitcase. I found myself mentally exhausted at the halfway point. Some day, I may pick up the threads where I left off. There are probably five or six more plots left, but for now.... still, again, great writing and wonderful world building. Just too much of it. Lol