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A review by bombach
The Dervish House by Ian McDonald
3.0
I had heard a lot of praise for this novel prior to reading it. I am particularly prone to over high expectations and so was a little worried that this novel wouldn't be able to live up to its praise. I am pleased to say that it for the most part did. Although Goodreads shows this as a 3-star for me, I would call it a 3.5 star novel.
Things I liked
* The writing was quite good. The descriptions were rich and served to transport me to a place I've never visited both geographically as well as temporally.
* I quite enjoy near future science fiction especially when it seems to be just out of the current horizon. The Dervish House delivered on that front. From nanotechnology to remote controlled micro robotic drone, the science/technology was new but definitely believable.
Things I didn't like
* The plot was plodding at first. Everything seemed to come together in a rush at the end
* There were a few too many characters and they didn't seem tightly enough intertwined to merit putting them together in a single note.
Things I liked
* The writing was quite good. The descriptions were rich and served to transport me to a place I've never visited both geographically as well as temporally.
* I quite enjoy near future science fiction especially when it seems to be just out of the current horizon. The Dervish House delivered on that front. From nanotechnology to remote controlled micro robotic drone, the science/technology was new but definitely believable.
Things I didn't like
* The plot was plodding at first. Everything seemed to come together in a rush at the end
* There were a few too many characters and they didn't seem tightly enough intertwined to merit putting them together in a single note.