Reviews

Termination Shock by Neal Stephenson

motherofladybirds's review against another edition

4.0

Thriller about climate change and geo engineering. I could really see this as a film. A lot of facts about Sikhs and Comanches and the Netherlands as well as lots of science about drones and how climate could be altered. It was a tour de force with plenty of action on a huge scale. I loved the drones vs eagles. I could see it as a film. My only quibble is it was a little long and heavy on the science explanation for me. I really enjoyed the characters and relationships complexities and flaws.

hey_hoser's review against another edition

adventurous challenging hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Audiobook, very well read by Edoardo Ballerini, ebook read last year 

darillium_'s review against another edition

informative

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.25

edriessen's review against another edition

4.0

Ah yes! A scifi book about a post-pandemic world where climate change is undeniably happening. As a Dutch reader, the sections that focus on our little country were extra nice to read. I think this is a very accessible read from Stephenson. He is a master world-builder, but since we are scaringly close to this one, it’s easier to follow than some of his other writings.

sharondaniellem's review against another edition

informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

komali_2's review against another edition

4.0

I'm convinced of two things:

1. This book was initially planned to be at least three times as long, and something went wrong or Stephenson got bored
2. This book was inspired by the 30-40 feral hogs Twitter guy

jason8877's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful reflective tense fast-paced

4.5

tonyleachsf's review against another edition

3.0

I liked a lot about this book, and expect it to stay with me for a long time. It’s widened my perspective on geo-engineering (terraforming?) and given me much more respect for why climate change is so much harder than just convincing skeptics.

I really didn’t like the sojourns into the Queens libido (it added nothing to the plot and was just cringey) or the attempts to comment on just 2020 politics/current events (OK to read today, but won’t give this book staying power).

straylight's review against another edition

3.0

Set on the backdrop of global warming, this book explores some themes and theories I've never previously come across. Had some interesting things to say.

alexsimmons's review against another edition

adventurous informative tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5