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mesocricetus's review against another edition
3.0
Not comparable to the Mars trilogy in any way, but I still enjoyed it. It was a bit slow in the middle, but the ending was more exciting.
bjg222's review against another edition
2.0
I have to say, KSR is one of my favorite authors, but this one I just could not get into. I found characters a little thin, and could not, for the life of me, follow many of their decisions. A surprisingly amount of the book is spent explaining things, and it sometimes felt like the story itself was secondary to the exposition and poeticness of the book. I'm not sure that I can put my finger on exactly why, when so many other KSR books I've really loved, but this one just was not on par to me with the Mars trilogy, Aurora, or NY 2140...
riverwise's review against another edition
3.0
Kim Stanley Robinson has stealthily become one of our leading SF writers over the past few decades, and this latest book explores the idea of a moon colonised by the Chinese. There's lots of interesting stuff here, like economic warfare between the US and China, an emerging alternative currency, lunar espionage, power struggles within the Chinese political elite and a popular uprising. Most of it happens in the background of this book though, as KSR keeps tightly focused on a few core characters (one of whom is definitely a descendant of Freds Fredericks from Escape From Kathmandu in my personal headcanon). It's solid stuff and an enjoyable read but it does feel like minor Robinson, a break between more substantial projects. Look at that list of stuff in my second sentence and you could easily imagine Neal Stephenson churning out a thousand pages on the same ideas, whereas KSR is happy to leave it underdeveloped in the background.
Ian MacDonald's Luna series is shaping up to be the definitive moon colonization story of our times, and this isn't in that league. Which isn't to say it's rubbish, just a bit...slight.
Ian MacDonald's Luna series is shaping up to be the definitive moon colonization story of our times, and this isn't in that league. Which isn't to say it's rubbish, just a bit...slight.
graff_fuller's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
We (as the readers) are thrust into a near future society on the Moon and on Earth. The two major powers are China and the United States of America.
Each of them (and others) have a presence on the Moon, too.
We are introduced to a cast of characters, but the two main characters are Fred Fredericks and Qi (a woman that got pregnant on the Moon, which is illegal) and Ta Shu who seems to find ways of helping them from a far.
This story encompasses Crypto currancy (which I still don't know much about), political manuevering and individuals (and sometime groups) standing up for their perceived rights...both in China and the US.
It is not the perfect story, but it kept me engaged for the entire time. If a movie is made of it, it will be a Netflix action film...that is for sure.
I don't know about some (if not most) the science it talks about, but I felt for Fred, Qi and the people rooting for them to survive.
Each of them (and others) have a presence on the Moon, too.
We are introduced to a cast of characters, but the two main characters are Fred Fredericks and Qi (a woman that got pregnant on the Moon, which is illegal) and Ta Shu who seems to find ways of helping them from a far.
This story encompasses Crypto currancy (which I still don't know much about), political manuevering and individuals (and sometime groups) standing up for their perceived rights...both in China and the US.
It is not the perfect story, but it kept me engaged for the entire time. If a movie is made of it, it will be a Netflix action film...that is for sure.
I don't know about some (if not most) the science it talks about, but I felt for Fred, Qi and the people rooting for them to survive.
tomistro's review against another edition
4.0
Kolmekymmentä vuotta tulevaisuuteen ja: Kiina on asuttanut Kuun ensimmäisenä, mutta samat vanhat konfliktit ja jännitteet heijastuvat maapallolta taivaisiin. Presidentti pitäisi valita puoluekokouksessa, Hong Kong palaa Kiinan täyteen hallintaan jas samalla uusi Mao/Lenin yllyttää satojen miljoonien prekariaattia vallankumoukseen.
Red Moon on selvä sisarteos Robinsonin edelliselle teokselle New York 2140. Siinä tapahtumapaikkana oli ilmastonmuutoksen jälkeinen Yhdysvallat, mutta teemana samat kuin Kiinan tulevaisuuden kautta maailmaa käsittelevässä Red Moonissa: kapitalismin jälkeiset yhteiskuntamallit, uudet rahataloudet, kansalaisvalta, ilmastonmuutos, luonnon ennallistaminen jne.
Romaanina Red Moon lähtee tuskaisen hitaasti käyntiin, mutta puolivälin jälkeen tykitellään oikein kunnolla ja tempo on lopun ajan melkein hengästyttävä. Isojen yhteiskunnallisten teemojen ja scifi-ideoiden lisäksi Robinson mahduttaa mukaan pari oikein hyvää runoa ja todella tarkkanäköisen ja koskettavan kuvauksen vanhemman kuolemasta. On se ihme tyyppi.
Wired kuvasi Robinsonia näin: "one of the solar system's pre-eminent writers of climate change-driven, politically astute science fiction". Pitää edelleen/taas paikkansa.
Red Moon on selvä sisarteos Robinsonin edelliselle teokselle New York 2140. Siinä tapahtumapaikkana oli ilmastonmuutoksen jälkeinen Yhdysvallat, mutta teemana samat kuin Kiinan tulevaisuuden kautta maailmaa käsittelevässä Red Moonissa: kapitalismin jälkeiset yhteiskuntamallit, uudet rahataloudet, kansalaisvalta, ilmastonmuutos, luonnon ennallistaminen jne.
Romaanina Red Moon lähtee tuskaisen hitaasti käyntiin, mutta puolivälin jälkeen tykitellään oikein kunnolla ja tempo on lopun ajan melkein hengästyttävä. Isojen yhteiskunnallisten teemojen ja scifi-ideoiden lisäksi Robinson mahduttaa mukaan pari oikein hyvää runoa ja todella tarkkanäköisen ja koskettavan kuvauksen vanhemman kuolemasta. On se ihme tyyppi.
Wired kuvasi Robinsonia näin: "one of the solar system's pre-eminent writers of climate change-driven, politically astute science fiction". Pitää edelleen/taas paikkansa.
lushr's review against another edition
4.0
If you liked The Martian and the future hopeful politics of Daniel Suarez’ novels then this book is a treat!
This story covers three characters swept up in huge political change while on the moon, it’s like a spy novel that moves between china and the moon. always exciting, never sure where they’re going next.
Great strong female character in Qi who is pregnant, powerful and determined to bring China to positive political change. Fred is along for the ride, while Ta Shu - an older poet and vid celebrity - tries to help them.
Really great read. wish the ending wasn’t so abrupt, there’s obviously more stories to come.
This story covers three characters swept up in huge political change while on the moon, it’s like a spy novel that moves between china and the moon. always exciting, never sure where they’re going next.
Great strong female character in Qi who is pregnant, powerful and determined to bring China to positive political change. Fred is along for the ride, while Ta Shu - an older poet and vid celebrity - tries to help them.
Really great read. wish the ending wasn’t so abrupt, there’s obviously more stories to come.
meghan_is_reading's review against another edition
Wait what? Are you telling me this isn't part of a series? Dang it. It was both too long and too short. What happened with the AI? What happened with everything? Aaaarg.
ozgold's review against another edition
1.0
Enjoyed the early sci-fi imagery but the story didn't hook me, felt no connection to the characters, and gave up 99 pages in.