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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
2.5 stars.
Let me start by saying that this isn't a bad book. And a reminder that 2 stars on Goodreads is an "it's ok" rating. This book just wasn't for me. There was way to many details for me. When an author starts telling me exactly how high a lady's high heels are I just lose focus. And I love long books, and I understand that most books over 600 pages are going to have a moment or 2 of droning on, this book just took the cake. Worse even than Robert Jordan. But if you are a sci fi guy/girl then this book might be for you. There is lots of interesting ideas in here. I love the wormhole traveling, the tattoos, the retinal inserts, and the e-butler. There is more cool stuff too that's just a couple of things. Overall, this book isn't for me. But I could see other people enjoying it.
Let me start by saying that this isn't a bad book. And a reminder that 2 stars on Goodreads is an "it's ok" rating. This book just wasn't for me. There was way to many details for me. When an author starts telling me exactly how high a lady's high heels are I just lose focus. And I love long books, and I understand that most books over 600 pages are going to have a moment or 2 of droning on, this book just took the cake. Worse even than Robert Jordan. But if you are a sci fi guy/girl then this book might be for you. There is lots of interesting ideas in here. I love the wormhole traveling, the tattoos, the retinal inserts, and the e-butler. There is more cool stuff too that's just a couple of things. Overall, this book isn't for me. But I could see other people enjoying it.
DNF 5%
Maybe the plot would be interesting, but I can't be bothered to read 1000+ pages of such badly punctuated writing.
Maybe the plot would be interesting, but I can't be bothered to read 1000+ pages of such badly punctuated writing.
Excellent book. Lots of interesting characters and a fleshed out universe. Plot was great as well.
This is a huge, sprawling space opera. the first third of the book just keeps introducing more and more characters and sub plots. I found it hard to care about some of the story threads and ancillary characters to the point that i was considering DNF'ing it at the halfway point. A lot of this is slow, ponderous world building that i struggled through. Even at the end of the book I was still wondering about the point of some events in the story. I can also fully understand the complaints I've heard about some of the female characters not being shown in the most respectful light. That said, all the stuff with the primes is amazing. the last third of the book was so good I couldn't put it down and I think all the build up and world building helped to achieve that. if this book was 400-500 pages it would probably have been the best space opera ever but I'm giving it a grudging four stars.
I guess I'm stuck reading the sequel now too!
I guess I'm stuck reading the sequel now too!
So I finally finished this behemoth of a book. Overall, I liked it. Well, about 2/3 of it. Unfortunately, the 2/3 that I liked were interrupted by the 1/3 I didn't like. The biggest thing that I didn't like about the book was the fact that it couldn't decide WHAT kind of book it was going to be. Space Opera? Colonization? Life in the 24th century? Detective? Exploration? Political? All of that and much more!
Honestly, if the 1/3 of the book that dealt with the murder investigation and all of the political intrigue had been expunged then this would be a 5-star book. The good was really just that good. The rest was just distracting.
And then an honest-to-FSM cliffhanger of an ending.
Unfortunately, I'm just not feeling up to dealing with another 37+ hour audiobook where I can't wait for it to JUST GET ON WITH THE GOOD STUFF ALREADY!
Honestly, if the 1/3 of the book that dealt with the murder investigation and all of the political intrigue had been expunged then this would be a 5-star book. The good was really just that good. The rest was just distracting.
And then an honest-to-FSM cliffhanger of an ending.
Unfortunately, I'm just not feeling up to dealing with another 37+ hour audiobook where I can't wait for it to JUST GET ON WITH THE GOOD STUFF ALREADY!
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
3.5 stars. I don't think this does as well as an audiobook - perhaps it would be better to read the physical book where it's possible to skim and skip. Some sections are engaging, but I found myself spacing out (pun intended) which is not a good sign. Ozzie's wormhole planet-traveling sections were the most interesting. Too many other dull sections though to be one I'd recommend highly.
Fun adventure - there are interesting questions posed but their exploration is light and secondary to plot. Just the kind of escapist space opera I needed - recommend for those in the mood.
Humans are scattered throughout the Galaxy. Their civilization is surprisingly peaceful, prosperous, and integrated with multiple aliens.
But then a dyson sphere is placed around two worlds and they feel they need to discover if it spheres are for protection from an invading alien race, or instead is it there to stop whoever is on those worlds from escaping.
Then things really begin to go wrong.
Great space opera, encompassing multiple societies and lots of surprising alien viewpoints. Very thoughtfully presented with some deep subjects, like life and death and how we'd deal with a species that is so different from us that we can't hope to come to some sort of accommodation.
My only complaint is the book ends with cliff hangers. But at least there is only one more book in the series.
But then a dyson sphere is placed around two worlds and they feel they need to discover if it spheres are for protection from an invading alien race, or instead is it there to stop whoever is on those worlds from escaping.
Then things really begin to go wrong.
Great space opera, encompassing multiple societies and lots of surprising alien viewpoints. Very thoughtfully presented with some deep subjects, like life and death and how we'd deal with a species that is so different from us that we can't hope to come to some sort of accommodation.
My only complaint is the book ends with cliff hangers. But at least there is only one more book in the series.
Having already read the Void trilogy this was an interesting backtrack to see where the Commonwealth came from and how some of the older players from that series began. Thankfully I don't remember enough from the statements made in the later series to spoil the events as I read them now. It is well balanced and appropriately paced. Looking forward to finishing the story.