Reviews

This Alien Shore by C.S. Friedman

kainerebus's review against another edition

3.0

Good but can be overwhelming

It's a good read and picks up half way through. The alien culture and races can be confusing at first, but once you understand those facets of the story you can enjoy it more.

lisade's review against another edition

4.0

I barely remember the story, but think frequently about the world created by the author. Have reread and would reread again

hdnjk's review against another edition

slow-paced

3.0

elllljayyyy's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense 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

kira_dance's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious tense 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? Yes

5.0

humanignorance's review against another edition

5.0

4.5 stars. An excellent far-future novel with solid world-building, excellent plotting, and good characters. The technology exploration and hacking adventures were particularly well done. Several things bothered me – there were a few social aspects of the world-building that didn’t much enhance the story (e.g. kaja, Variants), several key plot points were unclear, and the ending was too abrupt. Despite these shortcomings, it was always entertaining.

hank's review against another edition

5.0

4.5 stars rounded up. It wasn't perfect but sure close. I am still not entirely sure how to survive the ainniq but I think that is the way the Guild wants it. So much to enjoy from the cyberpunk aspects to the exploring of other worlds to the reveals of Guild society. Friedman packed so much world building into this and still managed to create a compelling story. I felt for Jamisia as she tried to figure out what exactly she was, I liked the unwritten subtext that maybe we all have parts of these personalities swirling around in our heads just not so overt. I liked the foreshadowing of friends to come and the planet everyone seemed headed for.

Friedman added just enough of several parts to leave me wanting more, yet not so much that it interfered with the story. I would love an entire book about the many faceted Guild society. I would love an entire book flying through cyberspace inside Phoenix and Masada's heads. I would love a Becky Chambers like voyage to explore all of the Hausman worlds. What I got however was nearly perfect, along with the bittersweet ending, just enough to satisfy yet want more.

mllocy's review against another edition

5.0

It's been a bit since I read this book, but it is one of my favorites. C.S. Friedman's penchant for a strong female character is somewhat subverted in Jamisia, a troubled girl with an exceptional, if disturbing gift. When her home is destroyed, her mentor killed, and she is cast adrift, Jamisia must learn to live in a world outside her that is hostile. When assassins and government agents come looking for her, she has to marshal her fractious inner world to overcome it.

liesm's review against another edition

3.0

3,5 stars

odinh's review against another edition

adventurous dark informative mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5