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thesmudge's review against another edition
5.0
I did not know what to expect when I started this. I mean, I loved Ender's Game and Ender's Shadow and liked the various sequels. But it was a co-written book and I had heard that while the plot and story line was Orson's it was the other author who did all the writing. So, I felt that the characterizations would be less than I expecte and thus the overall book would suffer.
I was wrong, it was a great start to the series and the characters became people I was interested in. While I could tell the difference in some small way I overall felt I was reading a Orson Scott Card book.
This book of course sets things up for the series but it is not overly long in doing so. It never felt drawn out or got boring. I will now move on the next one.
I was wrong, it was a great start to the series and the characters became people I was interested in. While I could tell the difference in some small way I overall felt I was reading a Orson Scott Card book.
This book of course sets things up for the series but it is not overly long in doing so. It never felt drawn out or got boring. I will now move on the next one.
bluejeepbaby's review against another edition
5.0
Did not expect to love it as much as I did. Was actually sitting on my shelf for a couple of months after I bought the first three books last summer following me finishing the Enders Game book.
But? I could not put this down. I actually almost CRIED at a part in the book that took me off guard. Oof. Definitely a good, heart pulling read.
But? I could not put this down. I actually almost CRIED at a part in the book that took me off guard. Oof. Definitely a good, heart pulling read.
martyb80's review against another edition
1.0
OK so I was pretty hopeful going in here that this book would have a lot of interesting new details from before the wars, and it did have a couple of interesting bits of lore. The book though rubbed me the wrong way from the start when the in the first scene a character goes through all the 5 stages of grief in a single conversation, and it only gets worse from there. The entirity of the M.O.P.S. stuff in this book seemed shoe-horned in for the chance to add witty dialog(even if horribly cliched) and a little bit of action which really was not needed.
If the poor fiction was not bad enough the poor science in this book drove me to distraction. The science is not all bad, but some much of the tech seemed out of step with the current world let alone our future.
this entire book was an exercise in frustration
If the poor fiction was not bad enough the poor science in this book drove me to distraction. The science is not all bad, but some much of the tech seemed out of step with the current world let alone our future.
this entire book was an exercise in frustration
scottcmikula's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't have high expectations going into Earth Unaware. It's a collaboration, and even though Orson Scott Card's name is plastered on the front it's a good bet that Aaron Johnston did most of the writing. I wasn't particularly fond of their last collaboration, Invasive Procedures, where it felt (to me) like someone else writing a book based on an Orson Scott Card idea. For that matter, I haven't been overwhelmed by the recent Enderverse books such as Shadows in Flight and Ender in Exile.
Well, I'm pleased to say that Earth Unaware does feel like an Orson Scott Card book. But more importantly, it's a really good story. As a prequel, it begins to explain some of the technology and backstory that leads into Ender's Game, but it isn't a slave to those things. There's a whole new cast of characters to love (or love to hate!) and we're immersed in the frontier-like setting of the Kuiper belt on the outer rim of the solar system, where mining families scrape a living by harvesting metal from asteroids. Even before the Buggers (sorry, Formics) show up, there's plenty of conflict and difficult choices to make. And once they realize an alien ship is heading towards Earth, everything in their already complicated life is thrown into chaos. In other words, this isn't just filling a gap in the Enderverse backstory; this is good sci fi and a story that can stand on its own legs.
Well, it stands on its own relative to Ender's Game and the subsequent books. As far as the story of the Formic Wars, this is just the beginning. There is a bit of resolution, but Earth Unaware ends with the promise of all the biggest events still to come.
Well, I'm pleased to say that Earth Unaware does feel like an Orson Scott Card book. But more importantly, it's a really good story. As a prequel, it begins to explain some of the technology and backstory that leads into Ender's Game, but it isn't a slave to those things. There's a whole new cast of characters to love (or love to hate!) and we're immersed in the frontier-like setting of the Kuiper belt on the outer rim of the solar system, where mining families scrape a living by harvesting metal from asteroids. Even before the Buggers (sorry, Formics) show up, there's plenty of conflict and difficult choices to make. And once they realize an alien ship is heading towards Earth, everything in their already complicated life is thrown into chaos. In other words, this isn't just filling a gap in the Enderverse backstory; this is good sci fi and a story that can stand on its own legs.
Well, it stands on its own relative to Ender's Game and the subsequent books. As far as the story of the Formic Wars, this is just the beginning. There is a bit of resolution, but Earth Unaware ends with the promise of all the biggest events still to come.
dolorsitamet's review against another edition
3.0
I thought I had already rated this!
Anyways, it was kind of different from all the other books, but satisfactorily enjoyable nonetheless. The shifting-perspective thing isn't my favorite style for Card...and I felt like, as a prequel, it was not necessary. It's nice to hear the story of the first Formic war, but at the same time - I think I'd have been better off without it. I'm not blaming this on the co-author, of course, but it's not the same as any of the others in the series, and seems to try too hard/is too obvious in showing things like Oh. this new invention will become little doctor.
If the series had started with this book I would not have loved it as much, perhaps would not even read the sequel. [Having said that, because I already read this, I'll probably read its sequel too...?]
Anyways, it was kind of different from all the other books, but satisfactorily enjoyable nonetheless. The shifting-perspective thing isn't my favorite style for Card...and I felt like, as a prequel, it was not necessary. It's nice to hear the story of the first Formic war, but at the same time - I think I'd have been better off without it. I'm not blaming this on the co-author, of course, but it's not the same as any of the others in the series, and seems to try too hard/is too obvious in showing things like Oh. this new invention will become little doctor.
If the series had started with this book I would not have loved it as much, perhaps would not even read the sequel. [Having said that, because I already read this, I'll probably read its sequel too...?]
mmichellemoore's review against another edition
2.0
Maybe I've been reading too much Ender and it's time to switch but this book didn't hold my attention like the others. I wonder if it's just matter of, since it's a prequel, I did not have an investment in the characters at the beginning and the book hopped around too often do develop an interest in any one group in the story line. I'll probably still read Formic War #2 since that's where the invasion will most likely start but I won't listen to the end if my mind starts to wander.
jlaney's review against another edition
2.0
I started this review off with higher praise but the more I wrote and revised and thought, the more I realise I didn't actually enjoy it all that much. It ended just when it was actually getting to the action. While I liked Victor, Mono and others, and I'll never say no to a firm-but-kind, steel haired, woman leading a group in anything be it book, movie, or game, not a lot seemed to really happen. I realise its the first in a series and bigger things happen later on in subsequent books, it just felt like it stopped very abruptly and it leaves one feeling unsatisfied.
About Wat: I liked him and his troops well enough, and I'm sure he comes in for later books (and therefore his existence in this would fit in), but I just kept waiting for Wat's chapters to connect to what was happening in the rest of the book. The farther I got into the book, the more of a slog his chapters became as I wanted to get back to what was happening out in space.
Lem's chapters were important to the story, but rather uninteresting at the best of times.
The physics really make no sense. At times through the book, various craft are completely halted. It's not specified whether this is a true standstill or still within the galaxy they're in. Galaxies move through space and I feel this would alter how far a ship would have to travel to catch back up, but what do I know. There also wouldn't be any problem repairing ships or docking at high speeds because there's no air resistance.
Finally, and maybe most importantly, I can't enjoy an author who so actively and vehemently discriminates other people who aren't harming anyone. I love to read whole series and it bothers me when I don't finish one, but I can't see myself finishing this one unless someone I know lends me a copy (and even then.. eh) because this author will never get anything from me.
About Wat: I liked him and his troops well enough, and I'm sure he comes in for later books (and therefore his existence in this would fit in), but I just kept waiting for Wat's chapters to connect to what was happening in the rest of the book. The farther I got into the book, the more of a slog his chapters became as I wanted to get back to what was happening out in space.
Lem's chapters were important to the story, but rather uninteresting at the best of times.
The physics really make no sense. At times through the book, various craft are completely halted. It's not specified whether this is a true standstill or still within the galaxy they're in. Galaxies move through space and I feel this would alter how far a ship would have to travel to catch back up, but what do I know. There also wouldn't be any problem repairing ships or docking at high speeds because there's no air resistance.
Finally, and maybe most importantly, I can't enjoy an author who so actively and vehemently discriminates other people who aren't harming anyone. I love to read whole series and it bothers me when I don't finish one, but I can't see myself finishing this one unless someone I know lends me a copy (and even then.. eh) because this author will never get anything from me.
littlemimus's review against another edition
3.0
Summary: I like. Flawed, but I like - a lot. Enough to (maybe) give it 3.5 stars. Yeah, I need the sequel now. So forget about the review... just kidding.
The book started off pretty plain and, frankly, I was going to give up on it. There was nothing much for me to care about since the first few chapters kept switching perspectives and were just a foundation to the Formic arrival; no action yet. However, despite the initial lack of attachment to the characters and plot, by the third chapter, I warmed up to the novel and it became an enjoyable read. Fast, right?
That's probably because of the interesting dynamics between each of the characters or groups and their struggles. From the very start, they are all facing troubles of their own, making the story compelling and emotive. For they are realistic problems and written in a way where I could relate or understand them and their pain. What you have to understand with this book is that it is the VERY start of a trilogy that is the prequel of sorts to the Formic invasion. So, there will be LOTS of backstory and filler content. This is both annoying because it was not what I was looking for, but as said, I started to like these characters.
The good thing is that there is no need to read Ender's Game before this since everything is easy to understand. We are thrust into new settings with a new set of characters to follow and love (or despise). I would even recommend reading this first so you can learn about the Formics along with the characters.
One thing that is glaringly obvious once you start reading is the scientific inaccuracies, which is a slight disappointment. However, expecting this book to be very scientific is like saying you can study for your next physics exam with that fantasy manga you were reading- ridiculous, as much as you like the mangaka. This comparison is appropriate since this book is a comic adaptation. This sci-fi is to be read for the technological possibilities and speculations presented.
There are many tropes in this book, but I will (shamefully) say they worked on me. They are the kind placed at the right moment and used by the right characters to make one fall hard and only realise they fell after the cliché was used.
I cannot say that this book succeeded to its full potential, and though it is the first in the trilogy, it clearly leads to the main Formic plot only to stop at the juiciest part of the novel. Still, I am going to immediately reach for the next instalment and recommend it to some extent.
The book started off pretty plain and, frankly, I was going to give up on it. There was nothing much for me to care about since the first few chapters kept switching perspectives and were just a foundation to the Formic arrival; no action yet. However, despite the initial lack of attachment to the characters and plot, by the third chapter, I warmed up to the novel and it became an enjoyable read. Fast, right?
That's probably because of the interesting dynamics between each of the characters or groups and their struggles. From the very start, they are all facing troubles of their own, making the story compelling and emotive. For they are realistic problems and written in a way where I could relate or understand them and their pain. What you have to understand with this book is that it is the VERY start of a trilogy that is the prequel of sorts to the Formic invasion. So, there will be LOTS of backstory and filler content. This is both annoying because it was not what I was looking for, but as said, I started to like these characters.
Spoiler
Wit's side of the story, and the character himself, I found too bland and irrelevant, making me skim most of those parts. I know the authors are probably foreshadowing more important MOP endeavors, but for now, it was boring. Also, Mazer appeared for only one chapter, but I really wanted to (and expected to) see more of him, especially after reading the short story, Mazer in Prison.The good thing is that there is no need to read Ender's Game before this since everything is easy to understand. We are thrust into new settings with a new set of characters to follow and love (or despise). I would even recommend reading this first so you can learn about the Formics along with the characters.
One thing that is glaringly obvious once you start reading is the scientific inaccuracies, which is a slight disappointment. However, expecting this book to be very scientific is like saying you can study for your next physics exam with that fantasy manga you were reading- ridiculous, as much as you like the mangaka. This comparison is appropriate since this book is a comic adaptation. This sci-fi is to be read for the technological possibilities and speculations presented.
There are many tropes in this book, but I will (shamefully) say they worked on me. They are the kind placed at the right moment and used by the right characters to make one fall hard and only realise they fell after the cliché was used.
I cannot say that this book succeeded to its full potential, and though it is the first in the trilogy, it clearly leads to the main Formic plot only to stop at the juiciest part of the novel. Still, I am going to immediately reach for the next instalment and recommend it to some extent.
quoththegirl's review against another edition
2.0
Two and a half stars more for Ender's Game nostalgia than for this book's own merit. I don't really know which author to blame (I'm not familar with Aaron Johnston, and I felt that Card's more recent works were wordy and clunky compared his earlier books), but this book was fairly terrible. There are glimpses of something good, which I think is what makes the story so disappointing overall: it could have been interesting, but didn't remotely live up to its potential. The pacing is truly awful. Everytime things were getting exciting and I was actually feeling invested, the pace would grind to a screeching halt with yet another mind-numbingly boring meeting. Seriously, 45% of this book consists of meetings. I mean, I'm a Star Trek TNG fan, so I have a high tolerance for fictional meetings, but jeez louise. Every plot development is talked to death, and then is talked about some more just for good measure. I laughed out loud towards the end when a main character is left in a dangerous situation just so that we could learn, in excruciating detail, about an audit of a random company (yes, you read that right) that had a) nothing to do with the story and b) concerned new characters introduced at the eleventh hour who served very little plot function. I could maybe forgive some of this if the characters were well developed, but I felt as though most of them were flat and boring. Lem was so insipid that I physically cringed everytime I ran across his scenes. Very disappointing, and I won't bother with the rest of the series.
isaiah_the_bibliophile's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I loved how this book introduced the ecconomic and industrial side of a spacefaring humanity, as opposed to the political side (The Shadow series), or the philophical or moral side. (Ender series)