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cupkeight's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
slow-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
3.0
sh1323's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
cwebb's review against another edition
4.0
I love Neal Stephenson, but this one feels a bit forced.
There are too many small deus ex machinas coming together for the grand finale.
I read it very quickly. because it's well written and fun, but it's not perfect.
There are too many small deus ex machinas coming together for the grand finale.
I read it very quickly. because it's well written and fun, but it's not perfect.
thehokx's review against another edition
4.0
Is it such a loss if Houston falls into the sea? Asking for a friend.
ethanpoole's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting ideas and settings, but a little thin on plot.
bobertlo's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
hank's review against another edition
2.0
I'm out 72% DNF.
This is review is going to entertain me and probably not anyone else but that is the way I roll.
Termination Shock is like a pointless map. Maps in general are useful for summarizing and combining information into a smaller package in order to easier assimilate and see new and interesting patterns, seeing the forest through the trees as the saying goes. At some point, maps start losing their effectiveness, if we have a wall map of a globe we notice details not otherwised grasped, if we have a wall map of a U.S. State, we are similarly amazed at previously unknown features. We can continue moving down the scale with cities, towns, etc.
If however I have a wall map of...my wall we have lost all the power of scale. Termination Shock has also reached this exact state. It is a book about now, a collection of stories, events and issues that I swear I read in the NY Times yesterday, it contains mundane details and personalities that I can experience walking out my front door. It does not contain anything new, interesting or exciting. I really need at least one of those.
Why two stars instead of one? I usually reserve 1 for books that offend me. This is a coherent story, it just doesn't go anywhere.
This is review is going to entertain me and probably not anyone else but that is the way I roll.
Termination Shock is like a pointless map. Maps in general are useful for summarizing and combining information into a smaller package in order to easier assimilate and see new and interesting patterns, seeing the forest through the trees as the saying goes. At some point, maps start losing their effectiveness, if we have a wall map of a globe we notice details not otherwised grasped, if we have a wall map of a U.S. State, we are similarly amazed at previously unknown features. We can continue moving down the scale with cities, towns, etc.
If however I have a wall map of...my wall we have lost all the power of scale. Termination Shock has also reached this exact state. It is a book about now, a collection of stories, events and issues that I swear I read in the NY Times yesterday, it contains mundane details and personalities that I can experience walking out my front door. It does not contain anything new, interesting or exciting. I really need at least one of those.
Why two stars instead of one? I usually reserve 1 for books that offend me. This is a coherent story, it just doesn't go anywhere.
mr_dobalina's review against another edition
4.0
A top-tier Stephenson book. If you've liked other books by him you'll probably like this one too.
aarmey's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
4.25