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snarf137 's review for:
This Immortal
by Roger Zelazny
This was my first introduction to Zelazny. The blending of the mythical with dystopian science fiction was well executed and the adventure was entertaining. The plot was interesting enough- Conrad, of radioactively-induced immortality, must lead a ragtag band of Earth bureaucrats (and one assassin) and an alien through ancient earth attractions. The catch is that the earth has been long-ravaged by nuclear winter, most humans live on alien worlds as a manual labour caste, aliens have expressed interest in buying and gentrifying earth, and a terrorist organization plans to assassinate his alien guest. All good and fun.
My main issue was that the story resolved very quickly. Although there were some genuine terrifying and tension-filled scences (the vampire and the capture by the mutant tribesmen), the story ended abruptly and rather bluntly. The writing is beautiful and lyrical by science fiction standards, and even outside those standards, but the pacing did not muster more than a total of 3/5 stars. I would recommend it in terms of originality and style.
My main issue was that the story resolved very quickly. Although there were some genuine terrifying and tension-filled scences (the vampire and the capture by the mutant tribesmen), the story ended abruptly and rather bluntly. The writing is beautiful and lyrical by science fiction standards, and even outside those standards, but the pacing did not muster more than a total of 3/5 stars. I would recommend it in terms of originality and style.