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ahelgeso's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
petaq's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
It really impressed me how tense it got! The "zones" in particular played very nicely with the plot, and were a source of tension I genuinely wasn't expecting. Vinge wove and paced the plot well, a big achievement given the enormous scale of the book. But Vinge doesn't neglect the small scale events, either
I loved the time spent with the Tines :) It took some convincing (large mammals aren't really what I think of when it comes to hive minds) but he fleshed them out nicely. Not just in terms of biology, but also in regards to culture, sociology, architecturally, etc. Unrelated but I was almost expecting them to become computers, or computational units. They didn't. Still good. Also Made me wonder a little bit about human and dog relationships which I doubt was his intent (unless??)
I wish I had something smart to say about how alien and strange the transcended tech/The Blight was in the book, something something how we understand the technology we use something something ask me again in 10 years if I read this book again. And while I appreciate that it wasn't elaborated much in this book, I'd love to know if there was a basis for the zones affecting physical laws (incl computational power) because Vinge was a certified nerd (math prof).
The depiction of virtual social networks was fun. The post at the very end was super funny to me. His writing style and dialogue felt a little clunky sometimes but not in a way that was juvenile or off-putting.
Unrelated but has anyone come up with a bit on how dudes (perhaps especially nerdy dudes?) love creating male pilots as characters. Like what's with that.
btw the tree creatures rule
(As I post this: rip dude people online say you were cool in person too including former students)
I loved the time spent with the Tines :) It took some convincing (large mammals aren't really what I think of when it comes to hive minds) but he fleshed them out nicely. Not just in terms of biology, but also in regards to culture, sociology, architecturally, etc. Unrelated but I was almost expecting them to become computers, or computational units. They didn't. Still good. Also Made me wonder a little bit about human and dog relationships which I doubt was his intent (unless??)
I wish I had something smart to say about how alien and strange the transcended tech/The Blight was in the book, something something how we understand the technology we use something something ask me again in 10 years if I read this book again. And while I appreciate that it wasn't elaborated much in this book, I'd love to know if there was a basis for the zones affecting physical laws (incl computational power) because Vinge was a certified nerd (math prof).
The depiction of virtual social networks was fun. The post at the very end was super funny to me. His writing style and dialogue felt a little clunky sometimes but not in a way that was juvenile or off-putting.
Unrelated but has anyone come up with a bit on how dudes (perhaps especially nerdy dudes?) love creating male pilots as characters. Like what's with that.
btw the tree creatures rule
(As I post this: rip dude people online say you were cool in person too including former students)
drsldn's review against another edition
4.0
This is my 3rd book completed in the 2014 TBR challenge, and although I have yet to work out how to actually take part in the challenge I feel I'm not doing badly.
Except that this wasn't on my initial list and I finally picked it up (for the fourth time since 1994) because in a review of another space opera someone referred to it as a science fiction classic. I realised that after 20 years it may very well be, and perhaps it was time I read the proof-copy!!!
It feels a tad cheeky to be reviewing a classic when many better commentators will have had their say, but here's what I got out of it (because I have to review for the TBR thing)
Its great fun and very absorbing, I discovered. Vinge has very cleverly managed to combine hard science fiction and more medieval settings, met with excellence the challenge of conveying the thought processes of genuinely alien aliens way beyond the furrowed brows and freckles of Star Trek and written a tale with emotional resonance, thrilling plotlines (my eyes were racing the page on at least occasions) and thought provoking explorations of moral and political issues that are with us in the real present. In other words, in a readable, believable tome he has given this reader much of what she hopes for from good science fiction.
Except that this wasn't on my initial list and I finally picked it up (for the fourth time since 1994) because in a review of another space opera someone referred to it as a science fiction classic. I realised that after 20 years it may very well be, and perhaps it was time I read the proof-copy!!!
It feels a tad cheeky to be reviewing a classic when many better commentators will have had their say, but here's what I got out of it (because I have to review for the TBR thing)
Its great fun and very absorbing, I discovered. Vinge has very cleverly managed to combine hard science fiction and more medieval settings, met with excellence the challenge of conveying the thought processes of genuinely alien aliens way beyond the furrowed brows and freckles of Star Trek and written a tale with emotional resonance, thrilling plotlines (my eyes were racing the page on at least occasions) and thought provoking explorations of moral and political issues that are with us in the real present. In other words, in a readable, believable tome he has given this reader much of what she hopes for from good science fiction.
grayjay's review against another edition
4.0
An excellent space opera, in an original, and creatively envisioned universe. The zones of thought dividing the galaxy into the slowness, the beyond, and the transcend offer so much in the way of plot and an invention. The Tine's world was also so original.
The characters were inviting, and I felt like an explorer learning about all the different races and civilizations in the galaxy.
The ending with the rider in the sea was so sweet. I was almost emotional.
The characters were inviting, and I felt like an explorer learning about all the different races and civilizations in the galaxy.
The ending with the rider in the sea was so sweet. I was almost emotional.
aranafyre's review against another edition
5.0
This book was fascinating. I love the concept of space. The closer you go to the center of the galaxy the dumber and slower you and technology get. The unthinking depths. And then the higher you go the more advanced technology and intelligence gets. Races will migrate up and transcend or create technology that transcends. The transcended are not always benevolent.
The book starts with a colony of humans that found an ancient archive. When they go digging around they inadvertently wake an ancient power, the Blight. Yet they also inadvertently create two other consciousnesses. Most of the humans die horribly but they are able to get a single space ship away carrying the human children and something that the blight wants.
The other fascinating part were the races. The ship crashes on a planet of dog-like creatures that have a pack mind/soul. Lots of implications about what makes intelligence and a persons soul. Then there are the Riders. They are very interesting. A race of sentient plants with calm friendly demeanors and limited short term memory. Humanity is also a neat concept. There are a few references to Earth deep in the slowness. But most of humanity has come from Nyjora with their medieval princesses and adventures.
Lots of things to think on and a great adventure story.
The book starts with a colony of humans that found an ancient archive. When they go digging around they inadvertently wake an ancient power, the Blight. Yet they also inadvertently create two other consciousnesses. Most of the humans die horribly but they are able to get a single space ship away carrying the human children and something that the blight wants.
The other fascinating part were the races. The ship crashes on a planet of dog-like creatures that have a pack mind/soul. Lots of implications about what makes intelligence and a persons soul. Then there are the Riders. They are very interesting. A race of sentient plants with calm friendly demeanors and limited short term memory. Humanity is also a neat concept. There are a few references to Earth deep in the slowness. But most of humanity has come from Nyjora with their medieval princesses and adventures.
Lots of things to think on and a great adventure story.
bad_hombre_verde's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Good but slow and unnecessarily long
geekwayne's review against another edition
4.0
I recently got to read 'A Fire Upon The Deep' by Vernor Vinge. It's a big doorstop of a book at 613 pages, but I'm glad I finally read it.
When a spaceship crash lands on a strange planet, the citizens attack it and take two of the survivors hostage. The planet is a kind of pre-medieval society made up of a race called Tines. Meanwhile, as the Blight which caused this crash continues to spread about the galaxy, a strange team forms to attempt a rescue of the hostages. It will be a dangerous trip as they are pursued and betrayed.
There is a lot going on in this book, but Vernor Vinge handles it all deftly. It's not a book that was particularly easy to get in to, and the answers to things stay strange and vague. But there are really interesting races and concepts. It took me a fair amount of time to read this. It was not an easy read, but it was ultimately a satisfying one and I'm glad I read it.
When a spaceship crash lands on a strange planet, the citizens attack it and take two of the survivors hostage. The planet is a kind of pre-medieval society made up of a race called Tines. Meanwhile, as the Blight which caused this crash continues to spread about the galaxy, a strange team forms to attempt a rescue of the hostages. It will be a dangerous trip as they are pursued and betrayed.
There is a lot going on in this book, but Vernor Vinge handles it all deftly. It's not a book that was particularly easy to get in to, and the answers to things stay strange and vague. But there are really interesting races and concepts. It took me a fair amount of time to read this. It was not an easy read, but it was ultimately a satisfying one and I'm glad I read it.
quirkycatsfatstacks's review against another edition
4.0
Summary:
In a distant future, myriad races populate a cosmos where mental prowess aligns with spatial coordinates, spanning from the sublime intellects of the Transcend to the rudimentary faculties of the Unthinking Depths. It doesn't take long for chaos and bloodshed to fall upon the galaxy.
Amidst the chaos, a family of scholars, with their offspring, becomes ensnared by the Tines, a medieval alien society embroiled in Machiavellian machinations. Now, a diverse coalition, not solely human, embarks on a daring mission to retrieve the abducted children and safeguard clandestine knowledge crucial for the preservation of the galactic order.
Review:
A Fire Upon the Deep is the read for you if you love complex science fiction novels full of battles and space-wide politics. In truth, this book took me a bit longer to get through than I'd like to admit (and let's not even talk about how long it had been on my TBR, okay?).
What I liked the most about A Fire Upon the Deep is that it had that right blend of new and old. Some core concepts felt familiar (especially the Blight and similar characters/themes), while others felt entirely new and original. By mixing the two together, we can focus on the newer (to us) elements, which is always nice.
Likewise, there's so much to learn about the characters and zones within this world (er, universe). I'm still not sure that I grasped all of it. I'll have to look up a guide before even considering diving into the next of the series (as a refresher).
Highlights:
Science Fiction
Space Opera
Galactic War
Thanks to Tor Science Fiction and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
You Can Also Find Me On:
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | The Book Review Crew | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Reedsy
In a distant future, myriad races populate a cosmos where mental prowess aligns with spatial coordinates, spanning from the sublime intellects of the Transcend to the rudimentary faculties of the Unthinking Depths. It doesn't take long for chaos and bloodshed to fall upon the galaxy.
Amidst the chaos, a family of scholars, with their offspring, becomes ensnared by the Tines, a medieval alien society embroiled in Machiavellian machinations. Now, a diverse coalition, not solely human, embarks on a daring mission to retrieve the abducted children and safeguard clandestine knowledge crucial for the preservation of the galactic order.
Review:
A Fire Upon the Deep is the read for you if you love complex science fiction novels full of battles and space-wide politics. In truth, this book took me a bit longer to get through than I'd like to admit (and let's not even talk about how long it had been on my TBR, okay?).
What I liked the most about A Fire Upon the Deep is that it had that right blend of new and old. Some core concepts felt familiar (especially the Blight and similar characters/themes), while others felt entirely new and original. By mixing the two together, we can focus on the newer (to us) elements, which is always nice.
Likewise, there's so much to learn about the characters and zones within this world (er, universe). I'm still not sure that I grasped all of it. I'll have to look up a guide before even considering diving into the next of the series (as a refresher).
Highlights:
Science Fiction
Space Opera
Galactic War
Thanks to Tor Science Fiction and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
You Can Also Find Me On:
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | The Book Review Crew | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Reedsy
buttcord's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
kendylldrilling's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0