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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
A bit disjointed, taking a long time to come together. Ending sneaks up on you and then is over.
Without the "Sprawl #2" subtitle you might not realize that this is the middle book of a trilogy. It stands alone well without the information from "Neuromancer"[b:Neuromancer|22328|Neuromancer (Sprawl #1)|William Gibson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1285017005s/22328.jpg|909457]. And while it leaves some questions unanswered there is no cliff hanger that makes the book seems incomplete.
Count Zero adds depth to the world of the Sprawl introduced in "Neuromancer". The separate story lines weave together into a coherent whole by the end of the book.
Count Zero adds depth to the world of the Sprawl introduced in "Neuromancer". The separate story lines weave together into a coherent whole by the end of the book.
Not as well paced at necromancer. Too many characters and too many jumps between groups of characters
adventurous
dark
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Not sure if it's a 3 stars or 3.5 stars. Liked this instalment of the trilogy more than the first but not enough for a 4 stars. Even if I enjoyed it more I'm not sure if I want to read the last one. Not a series that stands out for me and that I'm rushing to finish
Good. Not dated at all. Took awhile to tie it all together. Once tied together it was brought home nicely.
The implications of AI to art and culture and meaning and free choice are definitely solid. however, maybe splitting the protaganists into 3 groups isn't such a great idea. it feels scattered, less focused, and the language isn't anywhere near as musical as Neuromancer. not a bad ride, but not as thrilling either. all the voodoo loa stuff is interesting as well in a world of simstim and virtual reality.
Once again I have to give Gibson credit for his imaginative vision back in 1987 when this was written. However, while undeniably visionary, the squalid dystopia that Gibson excels at exploring has never really held my interest much.
As for the characters, it's a mixed bag: Turner is a typical Gibson creation: the rough-around-the-edges professional with his heart in the right place; haunted by the past and jaded about the present. Bobby is more of a blank slate, and I found it impossible to sympathize with his dopey ambition to become a "cyberspace cowboy" or whatever it was he aspired to do. Marly was the most interesting of the protagonists to me; she struck me as the most real: flawed and hurt, but determined and sharp when she needs to be. Virek is interesting as a mysterious possible antagonist; the rest of the bad guys and supporting characters exhibit the tiresome too-cool-for-you condescension that they (and Gibson, and Bobby) apparently find threatening. With the casual violence on all sides, I suppose they're right, but honestly I would just ignore most of these obnoxious folks.
The writing is polished, the action is well-done, and the conclusion is solid and fairly satisfying.
As for the characters, it's a mixed bag: Turner is a typical Gibson creation: the rough-around-the-edges professional with his heart in the right place; haunted by the past and jaded about the present. Bobby is more of a blank slate, and I found it impossible to sympathize with his dopey ambition to become a "cyberspace cowboy" or whatever it was he aspired to do. Marly was the most interesting of the protagonists to me; she struck me as the most real: flawed and hurt, but determined and sharp when she needs to be. Virek is interesting as a mysterious possible antagonist; the rest of the bad guys and supporting characters exhibit the tiresome too-cool-for-you condescension that they (and Gibson, and Bobby) apparently find threatening. With the casual violence on all sides, I suppose they're right, but honestly I would just ignore most of these obnoxious folks.
The writing is polished, the action is well-done, and the conclusion is solid and fairly satisfying.
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No