Reviews

I thought I'd read this back when I first read [b:The Caves of Steel|41811|The Caves of Steel (Robot, #1)|Isaac Asimov|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1335782224l/41811._SY75_.jpg|140376], but I hadn't. Whoops.

It's much the same: fascinating and creative worldbuilding, unintentional homoeroticism, period-typical but still stomach-sinking sexism (Baley Divorce Your Wife If You Want to Cheat on Her That Badly Challenge), and -- even more blatantly this time -- robot racism. I don't think the habit of calling robots "boy" was established in Caves of Steel, but it gave me major ick. Baley is clearly capable of growing and changing, as this book establishes pertaining to his agoraphobia, so if he doesn't quit it with this shit by the end of the series, I'm gonna be pissed. And Daneel with never fuck him.

lordbrainless's review

Go to review page

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

yungste's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

mfeezell's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

If it wasn't for the fact that this book is nearly 70 years old, I would think that Asimov read my review of the last book, and then wrote this to own me specifically. I still stand by what I said about the initial world building of the first book being ridiculous, but I did not expect the entire crux of this book to revolve around the fact that it IS ridiculous, and that the characters are beginning to realize that and do something about it. I don't believe that this book solves the weaknesses of the world building entirely, but I'm more liable to forgive some of it now that I understand the direction things are going in. I also think the idea of Solaria was intriguing enough for me to really suspend my disbelief, and I loved seeing Baley grow as much as he did in this book as he realized what parts of his own humanity he had been deprived of by watching Solarians attempt to function in their weird dystopian McMansion complexes. Get this man a therapist and he'll be good in no time. Or maybe have Daneel get certified in cognitive behavioral therapy in book three.

kshannahan26's review against another edition

Go to review page

mysterious medium-paced

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

3.75

kdawn999's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

A fun detective story and a big improvement on The Caves of Steel.

marcoshenrick's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

3,5

More...