Scan barcode
petealdin's review against another edition
4.0
Not as engrossing as the first installment but still a solid scifi thriller. Kept me interested til the end and developed ideas and charactrs from the first novel very well.
paradoxically's review against another edition
3.0
I do think that I enjoyed this book a lot more than the last because I decided to ignore the things that irritated me. You do, however, see a slow progression of thought and a general shift that seems a little more than black and white.
What the book does well is world building. Each and every species is unique and has their own characteristics that aren't good or bad, they just are (ignoring the opinions on humans which seem universally bad, unless you're talking about a very few individuals). You would think that the isenj, who had killed off most of the bezeri (unintentional though it may have been), would be shown poorly, but no. They're just another sort of people with a truly awful overcrowding problem that don't look at the universe the same way as humans.
The author does have several thought provoking ideas that circulate throughout the books. The characters are also rather strong--Shan, for instance, is always fun for me to read. She's so strong, and yet she's so stubborn in thinking that she's right. And she is, a good portion of the time, but she looks at the world in a very rigid sort of way that fits in right with the wess'har. The relationship she develops with Aras is also interesting. It's evolving, but the core of it seems to remain the same.
It's a pretty thick book though. It moves at a slower pace than one may like, and it makes frequent forays into what other people are thinking and doing that some readers may find off putting. But it was decent and not a bad way to spend some time. 3 stars.
What the book does well is world building. Each and every species is unique and has their own characteristics that aren't good or bad, they just are (ignoring the opinions on humans which seem universally bad, unless you're talking about a very few individuals). You would think that the isenj, who had killed off most of the bezeri (unintentional though it may have been), would be shown poorly, but no. They're just another sort of people with a truly awful overcrowding problem that don't look at the universe the same way as humans.
The author does have several thought provoking ideas that circulate throughout the books. The characters are also rather strong--Shan, for instance, is always fun for me to read. She's so strong, and yet she's so stubborn in thinking that she's right. And she is, a good portion of the time, but she looks at the world in a very rigid sort of way that fits in right with the wess'har. The relationship she develops with Aras is also interesting. It's evolving, but the core of it seems to remain the same.
It's a pretty thick book though. It moves at a slower pace than one may like, and it makes frequent forays into what other people are thinking and doing that some readers may find off putting. But it was decent and not a bad way to spend some time. 3 stars.
cmoldes's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Not as good as the first entry, mostly moving a lot of pieces on the board to set up the next book.
This is classic Traviss, with most characters all agreeing and adoring one character. This could have absolutely done without Lindsey's plot line because I absolutely don't understand the motivations and if all felt contrived to get conflict going.
This is classic Traviss, with most characters all agreeing and adoring one character. This could have absolutely done without Lindsey's plot line because I absolutely don't understand the motivations and if all felt contrived to get conflict going.
adelaidemetzger_robotprophet's review against another edition
5.0
“Karen Traviss, why do you use your authorly wiles to get me emotionally connected to your primary characters and then cut me off?! Also, you seem to have a knack for making me very, very angry! But that’s not your fault.”
I don’t even know where to start with this second book of the Wess’Har series. I…loved it, but at the same time I…GUH! I swear to God, I’ve never felt so confused about my emotions than with Traviss--and I think because these are her original characters, I feel like I’m more connected to them than with her franchise adaptations. I feel that way because I know what it’s like to project a good story through original characters with real emotions. But I’m……………………….*sigh*! I just…I just don’t know what to say.
One good thing is after years of looking for a GOOD story with an intimate human/alien relationship, Traviss is the one to give me one--a nice surprise. At the end of the first book I so wanted Shan and Aras to hook up, but I didn’t really know how well Traviss would do that. Well, I got my wish and Traviss handled it pretty well. But it bothered me because of how Aras needed Shan’s affection most of all and she’s not that kind of woman, but she could at least have been more aware of his feelings. As much as I was intrigued with this intimate relationship between Aras and Shan, it’s a bit awkward compared to Darman and Etain’s relationship in Traviss’ Star Wars: Republic Commando. The clone and Jedi actually say that they love each other and there is a tenderness in the relationship so when sh*t starts happening it means all the more to the reader to know that the characters love each other. With the Wess’har couple, Aras is practically desperate to hear Shan say that she loves him even though it’s obvious that she cares for him in her own tough, soldier kind of way--they didn‘t agree to this relationship because of love, they agreed because they needed to release tension. But when sh*t started happening, I was angrythat they didn’t get the chance to actually admit that they love each other before Shan killed herself for the greater good. Traviss did something similar in Imperial Commando (Republic Commando #5) when Darman used the only chance to go to his son--who desperately needed him--to stay behind for the greater good even though he knew his son needed him .
The rest of the book was good. Karen-drama all OVER the place in the climax and even afterwards.About Shan killing herself…I just don’t want to keep reading the series now that she’s gone. From what I’ve read in Traviss’ other books, the people who die stay dead and if that’s the case with Shan--the MAIN character--I just don’t really care about the threat to Earth and what-not especially if the main protagonists are three dudes trying to deal with her death. I’m not sexist, I just don’t see the series advancing that far with Shan gone. Unless Traviss brings her back and wows me (which she won’t because I’m expecting that now). I won’t be surprised but I will be happier. I liked this book way more than the first one. I was surprised with a revenge side plot that merged nicely in the end and I almost cried at the end when Aras had to kill Josh Garrod . Yes, I would come back to read it again because Karen Traviss has that way with me but I’m hesitant to get the next one.
I don’t even know where to start with this second book of the Wess’Har series. I…loved it, but at the same time I…GUH! I swear to God, I’ve never felt so confused about my emotions than with Traviss--and I think because these are her original characters, I feel like I’m more connected to them than with her franchise adaptations. I feel that way because I know what it’s like to project a good story through original characters with real emotions. But I’m……………………….*sigh*! I just…I just don’t know what to say.
One good thing is after years of looking for a GOOD story with an intimate human/alien relationship, Traviss is the one to give me one--a nice surprise. At the end of the first book I so wanted Shan and Aras to hook up, but I didn’t really know how well Traviss would do that. Well, I got my wish and Traviss handled it pretty well. But it bothered me because of how Aras needed Shan’s affection most of all and she’s not that kind of woman, but she could at least have been more aware of his feelings. As much as I was intrigued with this intimate relationship between Aras and Shan, it’s a bit awkward compared to Darman and Etain’s relationship in Traviss’ Star Wars: Republic Commando. The clone and Jedi actually say that they love each other and there is a tenderness in the relationship so when sh*t starts happening it means all the more to the reader to know that the characters love each other. With the Wess’har couple, Aras is practically desperate to hear Shan say that she loves him even though it’s obvious that she cares for him in her own tough, soldier kind of way--they didn‘t agree to this relationship because of love, they agreed because they needed to release tension. But when sh*t started happening, I was angry
The rest of the book was good. Karen-drama all OVER the place in the climax and even afterwards.
celiaedf12's review
4.0
Crossing the Line continues Shan Frankland's story where City of Pearl left off - Shan is dealing with her infection with c'naatat, and the idea of crossing the line from human to alien. Meanwhile, Earth is on the way to lay a claim to Cavanagh's Star, having made a secretive alliance with the Isenj - things are going to get nasty. Which is just what you want in a story.
More...