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toniclark's review against another edition
5.0
I debated about whether to read this one after reading The Sparrow. i was afraid to be disappointed by a sequel. However, I'm now glad that I didn't let too much time elapse between them. The books should definitely be read one after the other, read almost as two halves of one book. And for me, the sequel measured up, did not disappoint. Russell brings so much scientific knowledge to bear on these books and wrestles with many perspectives on God and religion without seeming to push any one on the reader. In an interview, the author said, "It doesn't matter if God is real or not — once the idea exists, it can change history."
Note; I have never read much sci-fi and have no idea where this work fits within the genre. I never felt as though I was reading science fiction. I see that Nancy Pearl felt that this book was mistakenly categorized as science fiction, and that it is really "a philosophical novel about the nature of good and evil and what happens when a man tries to do the right thing, for the right reasons and ends up causing incalculable harm." I agree.
Note; I have never read much sci-fi and have no idea where this work fits within the genre. I never felt as though I was reading science fiction. I see that Nancy Pearl felt that this book was mistakenly categorized as science fiction, and that it is really "a philosophical novel about the nature of good and evil and what happens when a man tries to do the right thing, for the right reasons and ends up causing incalculable harm." I agree.
joellenroberts's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-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? Yes
4.5
liketheday's review against another edition
4.0
The Society of Jesuits is set on sending a second mission to Rakhat to try again, as it were, and attempt to open up trade agreements with the Jana'ata that will be mutually beneficial. The Father General wants Emilio to return to the planet, but Emilio, understandably, is only willing to train people to go in his stead. The Father General, ever wily, figures out some way to get Emilio on that ship.
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lesliekirby's review against another edition
4.0
I'm a sucker for redemption, what can I say. More interesting in some ways than The Sparrow, since it highlights the misunderstandings in the first book (making The Sparrow all the more tragic). Don't pause after Sparrow, go right into this book.
carmiendo's review against another edition
4.0
i liked the first book better. i liked how this one fleshed out the story.
adamrshields's review against another edition
5.0
Short Review: This is the sequel to The Sparrow. These two books really should be thought of as a single large book, because even thought the Sparrow ends, The Children of God picks up almost immediately after.
I think, once I finished, that the combined books are a meditation on Job. The problem of evil is discussed throughout (the author is Jewish but most of the characters are Jesuit priests). The Sparrow is often compared to The Book of Strange New Things, which I really liked. But other than both being about Christian missions to alien worlds and tragedy, they are very different books.
A note on format, because this is a book that has some strong language, discussion of rape and sex and war and death, I moved from audio to kindle for most of the book because I often have little ears running around that pick up more than I want them to. I also think that the kindle edition made it easier to track the story. The format of the book is a lot of jumping back in forth in time and space and the audio makes that harder to track. Also the alien and non-English names are easier for me to handle and track in print than in audio.
My full review, no spoilers, is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/children-of-god/
I think, once I finished, that the combined books are a meditation on Job. The problem of evil is discussed throughout (the author is Jewish but most of the characters are Jesuit priests). The Sparrow is often compared to The Book of Strange New Things, which I really liked. But other than both being about Christian missions to alien worlds and tragedy, they are very different books.
A note on format, because this is a book that has some strong language, discussion of rape and sex and war and death, I moved from audio to kindle for most of the book because I often have little ears running around that pick up more than I want them to. I also think that the kindle edition made it easier to track the story. The format of the book is a lot of jumping back in forth in time and space and the audio makes that harder to track. Also the alien and non-English names are easier for me to handle and track in print than in audio.
My full review, no spoilers, is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/children-of-god/
cclift1114's review against another edition
4.0
This one wasn’t quite as good as the first one, but I knew that was likely going to be the case since a huge part of why I liked the first one so much was because I loved all the characters who were part of the first crew. I was glad to read this one, though, because of the surprises that changed the events of the first book. I will say, though, that this one had a bit too much Rakhat politics for me, especially with trying to follow all the different alien names and remember who was who. But it was still a pretty satisfying story with some interesting arguments to consider with respect to society, race, religion, etc.
greglhoward's review against another edition
1.0
I wanted to like this book, and I was hoping it would add to The Sparrow, but after reading it, I thought it subtracted instead. The plot seemed like a natural continuation, but felt like a sequel to a blockbuster movie: an implausible way to get the gang back together. And the suffering theme that I liked a lot in the first book was undermined. And the lengths the author went to in terms of plot development to set up situations for redemption and peacemaking felt too forced.
callieisreading's review against another edition
4.0
Sweating and nauseated, father Emilio Sandoz sat on the edge of his bed with his head in what was left of his hands...
The follow-up to the wonderfully-done [b:The Sparrow|334176|The Sparrow|Mary Doria Russell|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1230829367s/334176.jpg|3349153], Children of God takes place just after the previous book left off, with Emilio Sandoz trying to live with what had happened on Rakhat. I won't give away what happens to him, only that it is a story of heartbreak, forgiveness and redemption. The story is at times complex, made even more so by the time jumps that happen from section to section, but the end is rewarding.
I highly recommend this book, but I will caution that if it has been some time since you read The Sparrow, some things may seem confusing, or at least they did to me. Russell does do a pretty good job of eventually explaining things that happened previously, but it can take a bit.
The follow-up to the wonderfully-done [b:The Sparrow|334176|The Sparrow|Mary Doria Russell|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1230829367s/334176.jpg|3349153], Children of God takes place just after the previous book left off, with Emilio Sandoz trying to live with what had happened on Rakhat. I won't give away what happens to him, only that it is a story of heartbreak, forgiveness and redemption. The story is at times complex, made even more so by the time jumps that happen from section to section, but the end is rewarding.
I highly recommend this book, but I will caution that if it has been some time since you read The Sparrow, some things may seem confusing, or at least they did to me. Russell does do a pretty good job of eventually explaining things that happened previously, but it can take a bit.