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A review by jlaney
Earth Unaware by Orson Scott Card
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.