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A review by littlemimus
Earth Unaware by Orson Scott Card
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.