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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
3.5/5 Fun book. Kinda Stephen King in some parts. Mary Shelley in others.
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
No
The central idea around which the book is built is the idea that intelligence interacts with the universe to define reality. So, when an intelligence finds an explanation for observed reality, that explanation becomes law. This is all well and good with only one major intelligence affecting the universe around it, but what happens when humans aren't the most populous or most intelligent species around? Bear delivers us a slow, thoughtful book with many of the foibles of 1980s culture (casual misogyny and the like). It holds up well-enough, though, and I enjoyed it. Though the closing scene has left me with some odd questions about why he chose that to end on.
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Well worth a read! Takes one’s mind on quite the journey. I highly recommend it.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I did not appreciate the overall writing style. I, too, agree that most of the characters are dull and, as someone else has mentioned in their review, "are just the vehicles for the science and story." For me, that was not that much of a deal, noocytes and biologics are the most intriguing part of the book anyway. The biological part of science was entertaining; I also loved that the author draws his inspiration from [a:Teilhard de Chardin|21264894|Teilhard de Chardin|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] and [a:George Vernadsky|287166|George Vernadsky|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png], both important for our contemporary understanding of Anthropocene and earth system science. The Quantum physics part of science sounded too stretched at times, but it was still fun to read. Another source of enjoyment stems from the fact that a pandemic of sorts is happening, creating a new world, etc., so one can find parallels and similarities.
challenging
hopeful
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No