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robinwalter's Reviews (1.87k)
informative
medium-paced
Overall, well-reasoned in its presentation of the reasons for arguing in favour of robotic rather than human space exploration, but a little too starry-eyed about both the present reality and future potential of AI
Too clunky and exposiition heavy from the very start. Not for me
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
The historical mystery elements are well told, even the time jumps back and forward were easy to follow. VERY disappointing that a book all about bibliomania and featuring a professional in the fiel propagated the hoary old "wear gloves" bakvaas though. The dead wife's 'ghost' was a bit twee too.
Overall, not bad, but not up the remarkably high standard set by his "Grail"
Overall, not bad, but not up the remarkably high standard set by his "Grail"
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
THe villains were far too obvious and the protagonist far too slow in puutting the clues together
I could not connect with the writer's style. It felt clunky and try hard, and was unpleasant to read.
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
REALLY disliked the ML and he showed far too little character growth by the end of the book
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
BY FAR the weakest romance of the series, insipid and lifeless, as if the author had run out steam and/or just didn't care. Happily the mystery element, with the conclusion of the Sharp saga was much more satisfying
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Outstanding! Scholarly work presented accessibly, without dilution or any kind of pandering. FULL of reassuring caveats that stress the challenges and limitations of the kind of research being considered, this book was an absolute treasure trove. Extra points for its well-reasoned and presented section on Māori loanwords. That section did also serve to highlight my only real 'gripe' with the book - its age. It was published in 2014, and drew from sources available up to and including 2012. An updated version would be fascinating, both for having more of the OED3 available to draw on and for data on the continuation of a process of change discussed as potentially underway when this edition was first released.
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I found tyhe heroine hard to take in this one. She was as others have said, too much like a selfish moody child. Her extreme mood swings and petulant greedy selfishness were tiring.
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Another fast-paced mystery/romance set from Ms Kingswood. Looking forward to finishing the series with the last two books