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karinlib's review against another edition
4.0
I love Newman's writing and I really liked the previous book, but this second book is even better.
billymac1962's review against another edition
4.0
Haha! Well, the joke is on me!
If you've read my review for Planetfall, I went on about how recent science fiction has lost me, being more focused on societal issues, political structures and dystopian-ness. The reason I enjoyed Planetfall so much was because it gave me that sense of mystery and a bit of wonder that I had missed for so long.
Enter After Atlas, and it contained pretty much all those things that has driven me away from the genre! But I stayed with it, because I am very much hooked into the big picture here. I am dying for more revelations of Planetfall.
Read as a standalone, or if this was the first in the series, I'm not sure I would have stuck with it. This novel had a very noir feel, not something I was in the mood for, and it was a crime mystery, something I was not looking for in a science fiction series.
Having said that, I must say I enjoyed it, especially for the last 30% or so. It had a terrific ending, and it has fully baited me for the next book.
There is something that I did not enjoy, and this was not something present in the first book. At least I didn't notice it. But it's this: the novel was written with a noir flavor. The style Emma Newman went with here consisted of dialogue that was almost constantly interrupted with description or explanation. This jarred my reading momentum every time because I was so tuned to it early on.
However. This lady can tell a story and I'm still excited about the big picture she's painting here. The fact that I'm giving this 4.5 stars despite the things I just mentioned should say a lot about that.
If you've read my review for Planetfall, I went on about how recent science fiction has lost me, being more focused on societal issues, political structures and dystopian-ness. The reason I enjoyed Planetfall so much was because it gave me that sense of mystery and a bit of wonder that I had missed for so long.
Enter After Atlas, and it contained pretty much all those things that has driven me away from the genre! But I stayed with it, because I am very much hooked into the big picture here. I am dying for more revelations of Planetfall.
Read as a standalone, or if this was the first in the series, I'm not sure I would have stuck with it. This novel had a very noir feel, not something I was in the mood for, and it was a crime mystery, something I was not looking for in a science fiction series.
Having said that, I must say I enjoyed it, especially for the last 30% or so. It had a terrific ending, and it has fully baited me for the next book.
There is something that I did not enjoy, and this was not something present in the first book. At least I didn't notice it. But it's this: the novel was written with a noir flavor. The style Emma Newman went with here consisted of dialogue that was almost constantly interrupted with description or explanation. This jarred my reading momentum every time because I was so tuned to it early on.
However. This lady can tell a story and I'm still excited about the big picture she's painting here. The fact that I'm giving this 4.5 stars despite the things I just mentioned should say a lot about that.
kvothe's review against another edition
5.0
I was surprised by the much higher ratings than for the first book, but damn, "After Atlas" is quite the ride and doesn't disappoint at all. Newman's storytelling drew me in again and I liked the way things got resolved in the end much better than in book one.
shadyeglenn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
booksmacked's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
librarian_of_trantor's review against another edition
5.0
Tightly plotted (with twists) murder mystery. Great world building of high tech society with dystopian underbelly of powerful gov-corps driven by profit or religion. Molecular printing is common SF trope now but Newman really shows how it might work in general use, and the unexpected consequences.
crimsonsparrow's review against another edition
5.0
Confession: It drives me crazy when people summarize books in their reviews. You won't get that here, nor any spoilers in any of my comments. That being said...
Wow! I continue to be impressed with Newman's ability to carry a plot without compromising her characters. Though she gets dangerously close in this little number, the payoff and resolve is pristine.
While not exactly a slow-starter, this comes off a strange sequel to Planetfall. However, the work sneaks up on you; I quickly lost track of time in exchange for genuine interest despite a little disorientation. Newman changes it up but still plays to her strengths - strong characters, insidious sci-fi, and more plot that I ever really expect.
Excellent stand-alone piece, this novel does not give anything away and can be read before or after its predecessor - another ingenious feat by Newman.
Mature themes: Violence (murder, suicide, war - not excessively graphic but described), various kinds of abuse and human trafficking, lgbtq+ relationship abuse, and sexual relationships referenced but no graphic descriptions, prolific use of the f-bomb: Rated R.
Wow! I continue to be impressed with Newman's ability to carry a plot without compromising her characters. Though she gets dangerously close in this little number, the payoff and resolve is pristine.
While not exactly a slow-starter, this comes off a strange sequel to Planetfall. However, the work sneaks up on you; I quickly lost track of time in exchange for genuine interest despite a little disorientation. Newman changes it up but still plays to her strengths - strong characters, insidious sci-fi, and more plot that I ever really expect.
Excellent stand-alone piece, this novel does not give anything away and can be read before or after its predecessor - another ingenious feat by Newman.
Mature themes: Violence (murder, suicide, war - not excessively graphic but described), various kinds of abuse and human trafficking, lgbtq+ relationship abuse, and sexual relationships referenced but no graphic descriptions, prolific use of the f-bomb: Rated R.
tensy's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the first book in the series Planetfall, but this one was basically a murder mystery wrapped up in a high technology futuristic Earth where people's brains are chipped giving them immediate access to information and indentured servitude is accepted as a social norm. The ending was worth the wait, but there was way too much self-reflection by the main character which made the entire novel drag. I listened to this at 1.5 speed, and even at that speed, I fast-forwarded parts and never missed much of the plot. I am not a fan of mysteries, but if you like those types of science fiction novels you may enjoy this more.
weltenkreuzer's review against another edition
5.0
Spannender und psychologisch tiefgreifender Thriller mit einigen unerwarteten Wendungen.
ebokhyllami's review against another edition
4.0
Jeg anbefaler virkelig Planetfall-serien til Emma Newman. Ikke-for-teknologisk, veldig god sci-fi.