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A review by richardleis
Aeternum Ray by Tracy R. Atkins
2.0
I had read a few positive reviews and interviews with the author on various singularity-related websites, so I added the book to my Amazon wish list and my sister purchased it for me as a gift. That forced me to keep reading it, even when I discovered how poorly written it was, especially during the first half of the book. This also allowed me to finish it, so I could appreciate the much better second half.
The problem with most of the book is simply one of a new writer tending toward exposition, timelines, platitudes, cliches, and grand proclamations rather than an actual narrative. That is also why the second half improves so much; the novel finally becomes a narrative, though I think some people are going to have trouble getting to that point.
There are great ideas explored in the novel, especially when the story improves beyond a list of events and technological breakthroughs. I especially liked the last quarter of the book and the ideas expressed there. However, there are some weaknesses in the ideas, including how in this utopian future society there appears to be little control over pain or emotions.
I'm not sure that I exactly recommend this book. These ideas have been and will continue to be explored more successfully elsewhere. The read was generally tedious. I added a star simply because I really enjoyed the ideas introduced in the last quarter of the book.
The problem with most of the book is simply one of a new writer tending toward exposition, timelines, platitudes, cliches, and grand proclamations rather than an actual narrative. That is also why the second half improves so much; the novel finally becomes a narrative, though I think some people are going to have trouble getting to that point.
There are great ideas explored in the novel, especially when the story improves beyond a list of events and technological breakthroughs. I especially liked the last quarter of the book and the ideas expressed there. However, there are some weaknesses in the ideas, including how in this utopian future society there appears to be little control over pain or emotions.
I'm not sure that I exactly recommend this book. These ideas have been and will continue to be explored more successfully elsewhere. The read was generally tedious. I added a star simply because I really enjoyed the ideas introduced in the last quarter of the book.