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librarian_of_trantor's review against another edition
3.0
Disappointing compared to the other books in series. Too much of the action takes place in VR games for my tastes.
SERIOUS SPOILERS TO FOLLOW!!!
It will be interesting to see where Newman takes the story from here. We have an interstellar colony in crisis, built around an enigmatic artifact that appears to be drawing intelligent life there to transcend to some higher plane of existence. Earth suffered a nuclear war that may be the end of human life there. Another ship is on its way to the colony, a ship launched by genocidal religious fanatics who started said war so no one would follow them. But those on the ship who gave the order were killed for that crime, presumably creating serious leadership issues for the rest of the journey and its arrival at the colony. And the AI who runs the ship has become sentient and seems to have some serious mental health issues like all the main human protagonists. The fact that a handful of survivors from the doomed Martian colony are also on their way to the interstellar colony seems like a sidebar. But I could see Newman turning that into an interesting plot twist.
SERIOUS SPOILERS TO FOLLOW!!!
It will be interesting to see where Newman takes the story from here. We have an interstellar colony in crisis, built around an enigmatic artifact that appears to be drawing intelligent life there to transcend to some higher plane of existence. Earth suffered a nuclear war that may be the end of human life there. Another ship is on its way to the colony, a ship launched by genocidal religious fanatics who started said war so no one would follow them. But those on the ship who gave the order were killed for that crime, presumably creating serious leadership issues for the rest of the journey and its arrival at the colony. And the AI who runs the ship has become sentient and seems to have some serious mental health issues like all the main human protagonists. The fact that a handful of survivors from the doomed Martian colony are also on their way to the interstellar colony seems like a sidebar. But I could see Newman turning that into an interesting plot twist.
crimsonsparrow's review against another edition
5.0
The more time that goes by after finishing the final pages, the more I like this book. The beginning was cumbersome and overly complicated. It was slow to warm and slower to hook, but I felt like the payoff was worth it.
However, it was the meta-narrative, the one you really don't get until the very, very end, that was PURE GOLD.
Note: Trigger warnings for violence, exploitation, and a crap-load of expletives. Not recommended for kids under 13. Also, beware of two-dimensional NPC's.
However, it was the meta-narrative, the one you really don't get until the very, very end, that was PURE GOLD.
Note: Trigger warnings for violence, exploitation, and a crap-load of expletives. Not recommended for kids under 13. Also, beware of two-dimensional NPC's.
weltenkreuzer's review against another edition
5.0
Ganz ähnlich wie in "Before Mars" erzählt Newman eine kompakte und vielleicht etwas zu stringente Geschichte. Gut geschrieben, intelligent konstruiert und nachdenklich.
kynan's review against another edition
4.0
Damn this woman can write! I had real trouble stopping reading and doing things like eating and sleeping, it's quite the page-turner!
kerstincullen's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. Gripping, thoughtful and packs a punch. One of the more interesting explorations of computer science and ethics I have read. I recognize the criticism about ace representation and harmful stereotypes, although I interpreted the main characters asexuality and severe trauma/attachment issues as two separate things. Still an incredible book.
scottpm's review against another edition
4.0
I have really enjoyed this series. I love how the books are connected and yet separate. Each story has a different writing style as well which is a great touch.
chirson's review against another edition
4.0
I received the ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a review.
I am not quite sure what to say about this novel! I have been enthralled by this series since I read the first volume, and the fourth novel continues to complicate the world and the story - one not only of individuals but humanity in this dystopian near future. This story is satisfactory, fascinating and complex. I cannot wait for its next chapter. The themes of freedom and enslavement, capitalism and religious fundamentalism, working on one's trauma and wanting justice are explored and at the same time, this novel is a well-paced sf thriller with a central mystery and plot twists. I know what novel I most want to compare it to, but to name it would serve as a spoiler - thinking about it in the beginning certainly primed me to guess the central mystery ahead of its reveal.
The second most direct comparison for me would be with an episode of Black Mirror - a lot of story beats and construction seems similar, both as a strength and a weakness. Which also means that I think Black Mirror fans could find this book quite interesting.
At the same time, this novel has some issues with its choice(s) of/for central character. While I found the plot twists interesting and mostly earned, the voice was a little off, and the representation is not necessarily for me to dissect, but falls into some problematic tropes.
All I can say is that the ending makes me want to read the next book sooner rather than later and I will be looking forward to it.
I am not quite sure what to say about this novel! I have been enthralled by this series since I read the first volume, and the fourth novel continues to complicate the world and the story - one not only of individuals but humanity in this dystopian near future. This story is satisfactory, fascinating and complex. I cannot wait for its next chapter. The themes of freedom and enslavement, capitalism and religious fundamentalism, working on one's trauma and wanting justice are explored and at the same time, this novel is a well-paced sf thriller with a central mystery and plot twists. I know what novel I most want to compare it to, but to name it would serve as a spoiler - thinking about it in the beginning certainly primed me to guess the central mystery ahead of its reveal.
The second most direct comparison for me would be with an episode of Black Mirror - a lot of story beats and construction seems similar, both as a strength and a weakness. Which also means that I think Black Mirror fans could find this book quite interesting.
At the same time, this novel has some issues with its choice(s) of/for central character. While I found the plot twists interesting and mostly earned, the voice was a little off, and the representation is not necessarily for me to dissect, but falls into some problematic tropes.
Spoiler
I think much should be made of the implications of the ending in the context of the central character's past (as an enslaved person) and identity (asexuality), and so much depends on the continuation, but this review is not the place for it.grid's review against another edition
3.0
Mostly did not like this all that much. The ending was good. I liked the twist in the last few pages almost enough to redeem the tortureporn in the first half of the book.
georgina_bawden's review against another edition
5.0
I continue to adore the Planetfall series - sci fi books with interesting near-future world building that are nevertheless very tightly focused on individual characters and plotted as thrillers. They are complete page-turners and I'm adoring how the books are starting to weave together tighter and tighter.
This might be my favourite one of the sequels? It is very tightly plotted and deals entirely in shades of grey. I can't wait for more books!
This might be my favourite one of the sequels? It is very tightly plotted and deals entirely in shades of grey. I can't wait for more books!