ornithopter1's review against another edition
3.0
This huge tome could almost be considered a dualogy. There is a storyline involving a Newcastle-upon-Tyne police investigation into the murder of a high profile victim. And a second broad story following the life of Angela, a trouble-magnet who has a complicated connection to the family of the murder victim. The Angela character is an engrossing hero. Her passages are easily the novel's most gripping. The character is great, what's even better is the ever-surprising ensemble of situations with which she has to contend. Privilege, persecution, simple pleasures and gut-wrenching pain are all related in a single dizzying history. In comparison the police investigation is a more plodding affair. The Newcastle story nevertheless still has some cracking moments.
Hamilton's book are always long, but this time the length wasn't justified. There are characters which lack sparkle and remain surprisingly undeveloped despite the 1000+ pages. The earlier plot progression really took its time; something I had no problem with, in fact I rather appreciate getting to know characters long-haul. As the story drew to a close, it seemed like a no-brainer to expect a similar attention be paid to the end of the novel. Unfortunately, the ending felt rushed and I didn't feel nearly as connected to the main players as I should have. With these criticisms in mind it is apparent that the book needed some stern editing. Despite all of the above, I would feel overly critical if I didn't take a moment to put all this into perspective. There are some wonderful vistas, scenarios and concepts throughout the book, so much splendid imagination to get caught up in, and whilst it may be guilty of being self-indulgent GNR is never a chore.
Although I certainly liked the book there's a few final gripes to get off my chest. The 'message' of the story was a really quite laughably crude effort. Its mix of environmentalism and humans-come-good-in-the-end platitudes made me think I'd been reading some kind of pro-human agitprop! As a Geordie (I was born in Newcastle and have lived in its environs for most of my life) I must commend the geographic accuracy in GNR, but I'm afraid I'll have to give with one hand and take with the other because if PFH had used the words 'aye', 'pet', or 'man' ( as in, "away man!") as Geordie affectations one more goddamned time I would have thrown my kindle against the nearest wall and stomped up and down on whatever solid-state evidence remained of his book!
This is the first PFH novel I've read which wasn't all-round awesome. Yet PFH is still better than 90% of other sci-fi even when he's off his game.
Hamilton's book are always long, but this time the length wasn't justified. There are characters which lack sparkle and remain surprisingly undeveloped despite the 1000+ pages. The earlier plot progression really took its time; something I had no problem with, in fact I rather appreciate getting to know characters long-haul. As the story drew to a close, it seemed like a no-brainer to expect a similar attention be paid to the end of the novel. Unfortunately, the ending felt rushed and I didn't feel nearly as connected to the main players as I should have. With these criticisms in mind it is apparent that the book needed some stern editing. Despite all of the above, I would feel overly critical if I didn't take a moment to put all this into perspective. There are some wonderful vistas, scenarios and concepts throughout the book, so much splendid imagination to get caught up in, and whilst it may be guilty of being self-indulgent GNR is never a chore.
Although I certainly liked the book there's a few final gripes to get off my chest. The 'message' of the story was a really quite laughably crude effort. Its mix of environmentalism and humans-come-good-in-the-end platitudes made me think I'd been reading some kind of pro-human agitprop! As a Geordie (I was born in Newcastle and have lived in its environs for most of my life) I must commend the geographic accuracy in GNR, but I'm afraid I'll have to give with one hand and take with the other because if PFH had used the words 'aye', 'pet', or 'man' ( as in, "away man!") as Geordie affectations one more goddamned time I would have thrown my kindle against the nearest wall and stomped up and down on whatever solid-state evidence remained of his book!
This is the first PFH novel I've read which wasn't all-round awesome. Yet PFH is still better than 90% of other sci-fi even when he's off his game.
spoerk's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
jesssika's review
5.0
I am quite torn between 4 and 5 stars.
I really liked the overall story and plot. I liked the worlds building. I liked the different characters even if hundred were technically the same.
I think where it hits a rough spot is ALL the details. I felt in some places like it was more of a manual to help me adapt to becoming part of the world. I could be a cop now or maybe even an interplanetary worker. I don't know. But, sometimes I had to put the book down just to absorb all the details. In science fiction works I know you have to find a balance between explaining how this foreign world operates and just letting the world reveal itself. Sometimes this mark was missed and the reader enrolled in a class they didn't intend to take.
However, I still loved the story and the adventure it took me on. Just for others contemplating reading it....be prepared to really learn about the world and how everything works.
I really liked the overall story and plot. I liked the worlds building. I liked the different characters even if hundred were technically the same.
I think where it hits a rough spot is ALL the details. I felt in some places like it was more of a manual to help me adapt to becoming part of the world. I could be a cop now or maybe even an interplanetary worker. I don't know. But, sometimes I had to put the book down just to absorb all the details. In science fiction works I know you have to find a balance between explaining how this foreign world operates and just letting the world reveal itself. Sometimes this mark was missed and the reader enrolled in a class they didn't intend to take.
However, I still loved the story and the adventure it took me on. Just for others contemplating reading it....be prepared to really learn about the world and how everything works.
leyaruth42's review against another edition
5.0
This was epic Peter Hamilton at his best. Although I struggled with the ongoing horror aspect of the book, I truly enjoyed the police thriller aspect of it. He weaves the two together expertly in a way that keeps you hanging on every word. Excellent book!
renry's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
haahu's review
4.0
Nice story, would've liked it even more if half of it hadn't been dull useless bits.
djhobby's review
3.0
It was O.K. Probably my least favorite Hamilton novel, but still a good read. It has lots of great futuristic science that I've come to love about his books. The problem I have with the story is it seemed a little far fetched. (Spoiler alert)
No way would a sentient alien go about murdering single individuals for it's species gain, and then hire the mafia to cover it up.
That was a only slightly annoying, but for me the most off putting thing about the book is all the different Norths. I had a hard time keeping them straight, and trying to remember who was who.
Still a good book, but it has some flaw in my opinion. You should still read it if you are a Peter Hamilton fan, you'll enjoy it.
No way would a sentient alien go about murdering single individuals for it's species gain, and then hire the mafia to cover it up.
That was a only slightly annoying, but for me the most off putting thing about the book is all the different Norths. I had a hard time keeping them straight, and trying to remember who was who.
Still a good book, but it has some flaw in my opinion. You should still read it if you are a Peter Hamilton fan, you'll enjoy it.
gullevek's review against another edition
4.0
Great book. Long but a wonderful to read. I really enjoyed the story, but still I felt like there was something tiny missing. The cherry that would have made that a solid 5 star book. Still I highly recommend it.
peter_xxx's review against another edition
4.0
Peter F Hamilton is one of my favorite current Science fiction writers. And after having read his longer series, I now got around to read this stand alone novel. As with all Peter F Hamilton books this one again has a very high page count. Inside you'll find a murder mystery involving clones and possible aliens. Although some twists might be a bit predictable, the story as a whole is very engaging.
Other then a nice story, this book also has all the usual Hamilton ingredients. So if any of them rub you the wrong way, be aware that this book is not an exception. One of the main themes in this book is that capitalism and pursuit of profit are actually holding our scientifically progress back.
All in all a very enjoyable book, and I would not be disappointed if mister Hamilton would write more novels using this setting.
Other then a nice story, this book also has all the usual Hamilton ingredients. So if any of them rub you the wrong way, be aware that this book is not an exception. One of the main themes in this book is that capitalism and pursuit of profit are actually holding our scientifically progress back.
All in all a very enjoyable book, and I would not be disappointed if mister Hamilton would write more novels using this setting.
mrfrenchtoasts's review
4.0
It took me a while to read this. But damn was this enjoyable. I would be lying to myself by saying that I enjoyed everything in the book (I would definitely cut some stuff and there were a few frustrating moments, too many characters to keep track of, and also the girls...), but I would also be lying to myself by saying I wasn't totally engrossed in the story. After reading the book you feel like you just experienced all of it. That you were in the story. It was that immersive. I was in the world, living and breathing with the characters. This is what Peter F. Hamilton is so good at doing. Creating universes is his forte.
I know I rated Pandora's star 5 stars, and this book 4 stars, but I preferred this book to Pandora's star (I've probably matured since 2015).
I know I rated Pandora's star 5 stars, and this book 4 stars, but I preferred this book to Pandora's star (I've probably matured since 2015).