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vulpixie's review against another edition
DID NOT FINISH. 26%
Okay, so, I didn't hold high hopes for this book in general as it has intimidated me quite significantly for some time, but I wanted to give it a try.
I tried, I didn't enjoy it. Sorry for those of you that did, but it just wasn't for me.
There were a few reasons I didn't get on with this book but the most glaringly frustrating reason was that I don't like being thrown in to a world of terminology that isn't common, and being expected to know what it means. Deriving meanings from context can, in some situations, be pretty simple, but basing an entire book around ideas that you never intend to fully describe to your readerbase is not only lazy, but alienates your reader.
Okay, so, I didn't hold high hopes for this book in general as it has intimidated me quite significantly for some time, but I wanted to give it a try.
I tried, I didn't enjoy it. Sorry for those of you that did, but it just wasn't for me.
There were a few reasons I didn't get on with this book but the most glaringly frustrating reason was that I don't like being thrown in to a world of terminology that isn't common, and being expected to know what it means. Deriving meanings from context can, in some situations, be pretty simple, but basing an entire book around ideas that you never intend to fully describe to your readerbase is not only lazy, but alienates your reader.
yellowchevron's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
btlitell's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this book but feel it could have been better in a few ways. As far as cyberpunk/sci-fi it's pretty interesting and the concept felt new enough rather than simply a fresh spin on something that previously existed. I really liked the execution of the transferable personality and a body that can change (in some cases) and thought it brought a nice approach to sci-fi's canon.
The biggest reason for this being a 4-star instead of 5 is the very graphically detailed sex scenes that not only seemed gratuitous but also too "technical" or "textbook" in their nature. Not really interested in that, but it's definitely better than if those scenes were filled with horrible and cliche euphemisms (or worse new attempts at euphemisms that are just ick lol). This is absolutely a me thing and not really anything against the writing or the story itself.
I am looking forward to eventually reading books 2 and 3 as well as watching the show.
The biggest reason for this being a 4-star instead of 5 is the very graphically detailed sex scenes that not only seemed gratuitous but also too "technical" or "textbook" in their nature. Not really interested in that, but it's definitely better than if those scenes were filled with horrible and cliche euphemisms (or worse new attempts at euphemisms that are just ick lol). This is absolutely a me thing and not really anything against the writing or the story itself.
I am looking forward to eventually reading books 2 and 3 as well as watching the show.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Death
Minor: Colonisation, Trafficking, War, Self harm, Suicide, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
ulivo222's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
badseedgirl's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to the audio version of Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan, this Tantor Media production was read by Todd McLaren. Mr. McLaren is missing his calling. He should be doing work with insomniacs, or be hired to sooth savage beasts. His voice is so smooth and resonant that if I listened to his readings while in bed I would fall asleep within minutes. This is not to criticize his reading, because I loved it, and when I listened while doing housework or working in the yard, I would become engrossed in his dulcet tones and would look for other things to do, so I could keep listening. It’s just that his deep, rich tones are so damn soothing.
As for the story itself, well I love a hard bitten private detective novel (Ok I also love the cozy ones!) and this novel harkens back to the days when detectives were as hard as steel and were not above a little strong arm tactics to get the information they needed. Although written in 2002, the tone of this novel would have been right at home with the 20’s and 30’s detective stories by Raymond Chandler. Because it was set in the future it also had a distinct “Blade Runner” feel to it (Again, No I still have not read the novel that movie was based on, and yes I plan to read it, my plan is to read it in 2016 for the WWE challenge The Defining Science Fiction Books of the 1960’s. So just get off my back, OK!)
The story is a pretty straight foreword “who dun it” mystery, but with the added twist that the man who hired or detective, Takeshi Kovas, is also the man murdered. In this future society, with enough money a person can have their mind uploaded into a new body when they die. This has created a new form societal stratification with the Meths, or Methuselahs, who are the super-rich who are able to have their brains downloaded to a server on a regular basis and when they grow tired of the body they currently inhabit, and have themselves downloaded into a newer model.
For me this concept was the best and most interesting part of the novel. People were jumping in and out of bodies like we change hair styles today. It begged the question of what is love? Would I, a firm heterosexual, still be able to physically love my partner if their conscience was in a female body? Can we as humans overlook the physical in all its aspects and love the soul within the body. Because it would not just be the visual changes, but everything about the person would change, their voice and the smell and feel of their skin. I was disturbed by my inability to answer these questions. I’m not sure that the author does either, but it was enough to make me want to read the next book in the series, Broken Angels.
4 of 5 stars
As for the story itself, well I love a hard bitten private detective novel (Ok I also love the cozy ones!) and this novel harkens back to the days when detectives were as hard as steel and were not above a little strong arm tactics to get the information they needed. Although written in 2002, the tone of this novel would have been right at home with the 20’s and 30’s detective stories by Raymond Chandler. Because it was set in the future it also had a distinct “Blade Runner” feel to it (Again, No I still have not read the novel that movie was based on, and yes I plan to read it, my plan is to read it in 2016 for the WWE challenge The Defining Science Fiction Books of the 1960’s. So just get off my back, OK!)
The story is a pretty straight foreword “who dun it” mystery, but with the added twist that the man who hired or detective, Takeshi Kovas, is also the man murdered. In this future society, with enough money a person can have their mind uploaded into a new body when they die. This has created a new form societal stratification with the Meths, or Methuselahs, who are the super-rich who are able to have their brains downloaded to a server on a regular basis and when they grow tired of the body they currently inhabit, and have themselves downloaded into a newer model.
For me this concept was the best and most interesting part of the novel. People were jumping in and out of bodies like we change hair styles today. It begged the question of what is love? Would I, a firm heterosexual, still be able to physically love my partner if their conscience was in a female body? Can we as humans overlook the physical in all its aspects and love the soul within the body. Because it would not just be the visual changes, but everything about the person would change, their voice and the smell and feel of their skin. I was disturbed by my inability to answer these questions. I’m not sure that the author does either, but it was enough to make me want to read the next book in the series, Broken Angels.
4 of 5 stars
the_dungeoneer's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
songwind's review against another edition
4.0
Morgan has created a compelling blend of traditional cyberpunk tropes with far future, interstellar sci-fi.
Many familiar cyperpunk elements are present - criminal and/or underclass protagonists, manipulation by the wealthy and corporate, technological body modification, and VR.
At the same time, this book gives us a vision of a highly advanced terran sphere, rather than the "day after tomorrow" feeling from much of cyberpunk. Interstellar colonization, flying cars, extreme anti-aging medicine, and others.
The story premise itself is classic cyberpunk - Takeshi Kovachs, former soldier turned criminal, is given a furlough from storage (more or less jail) at the request of a wealthy patron. He's supposed to find out who killed this man's body (but not his data back ups or clones). The police have already investigated, and pronounced it suicide.
It doesn't take long for Kovachs to realize he's gotten in a lot deeper than he realized.
Many familiar cyperpunk elements are present - criminal and/or underclass protagonists, manipulation by the wealthy and corporate, technological body modification, and VR.
At the same time, this book gives us a vision of a highly advanced terran sphere, rather than the "day after tomorrow" feeling from much of cyberpunk. Interstellar colonization, flying cars, extreme anti-aging medicine, and others.
The story premise itself is classic cyberpunk - Takeshi Kovachs, former soldier turned criminal, is given a furlough from storage (more or less jail) at the request of a wealthy patron. He's supposed to find out who killed this man's body (but not his data back ups or clones). The police have already investigated, and pronounced it suicide.
It doesn't take long for Kovachs to realize he's gotten in a lot deeper than he realized.
mplumm1322's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Excellent! I enjoyed the Netflix series but the book blew it out of the park. The Netflix plot swing from the book now seems completely unnecessary, the book’s story line was less chaotic and had a solid foundation.
The investigation into the death of Bancroft along with the interconnectedness of Kovac’s sleeve was masterful. Everything seemed random at first but all tied together by the end.
Lots of reviews complain about the graphic sex scenes… if you’ve ever watched HBO then this is nothing new.
I will say this was a more challenging read because it was so complex and detailed but taking some extra time to think things through was so worth it.
The investigation into the death of Bancroft along with the interconnectedness of Kovac’s sleeve was masterful. Everything seemed random at first but all tied together by the end.
Lots of reviews complain about the graphic sex scenes… if you’ve ever watched HBO then this is nothing new.
I will say this was a more challenging read because it was so complex and detailed but taking some extra time to think things through was so worth it.