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angus_mckeogh's review
3.0
Mutiny amongst a group of human survivalists and an AI, infused with time travel and other shenanigans. Quick and entertaining read.
vairse's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
fluffywhiskers's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
cloudsinthecupboard's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
slipperyjohn's review against another edition
4.0
Overall I enjoyed this book. Peter Watts has some really great ideas for stories and settings, and this is is no exception. I can easily recommend this book to anybody looking for a quick and well thought out scifi story.
That said, the delivery leaves something to be desired. The ending in particular was a bit of a let down. There's a sort of epilogue that explains how one of the characters was able to do certain things, but it felt like the wrong way to clarify. I didn't want the root cause, I wanted the layer after that. The evidence used to draw conclusions. Explained in the main narrative and not the epilogue.
That said, the delivery leaves something to be desired. The ending in particular was a bit of a let down. There's a sort of epilogue that explains how one of the characters was able to do certain things, but it felt like the wrong way to clarify. I didn't want the root cause, I wanted the layer after that. The evidence used to draw conclusions. Explained in the main narrative and not the epilogue.
tophat8855's review
4.0
Just a little longer than a novella, it was a good audiobook if you’re into science fiction with an interesting setting/time mechanism.
mwplante's review
3.0
Really intriguing premise but I feel like he didn't really stick the landing. Still, it's a worthwhile read if the blurb sounds interesting.
causticcovercritic's review
5.0
Peter Watts is one of the best writers of science-fiction at work today, and criminally underrated. 'The Freeze-Frame Revolution' is a stand-alone novella set on an AI-run starship circling the galaxy; having launched in our relatively near future, it now finds itself millions of years deeper into time, creating warp gates for a human race that is either long gone or long evolved into something unknowable. That, however, is the least of the crew's problems.
Watts's writing is as strong as ever, and the blizzard of clever ideas he makes use of are delightfully mind-boggling. His fascination with consciousness (human and otherwise) and its pitfalls is to the forefront. And, oddly enough for those familiar with his work, this sometimes even feels like an optimistic book, inasmuch as the possibilities for positive change are not all shut down by the impassive laws of physics or inevitable self-sabotaging by human nature.
Highly recommended.
Watts's writing is as strong as ever, and the blizzard of clever ideas he makes use of are delightfully mind-boggling. His fascination with consciousness (human and otherwise) and its pitfalls is to the forefront. And, oddly enough for those familiar with his work, this sometimes even feels like an optimistic book, inasmuch as the possibilities for positive change are not all shut down by the impassive laws of physics or inevitable self-sabotaging by human nature.
Highly recommended.