Two aliens have wandered Earth for centuries. The Changeling has survived by adapting the forms of many different organisms. The Chameleon destroys...
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reviews
Dec 01, 2011
Daoist56
rated it: 
Though a compelling read, the end did not deliver.
Interesting story idea, with two changelings/ shape-shifters, one "good" and one "bad," weaving their way through human history, only to meet in the near future. The author focuses most of the book on the "good," which I found a nice choice, and it I willingly followed along as the creature became more and more human, finally learning something akin to love. But the inevitable showdown seemed scripted for the bi More...
Interesting story idea, with two changelings/ shape-shifters, one "good" and one "bad," weaving their way through human history, only to meet in the near future. The author focuses most of the book on the "good," which I found a nice choice, and it I willingly followed along as the creature became more and more human, finally learning something akin to love. But the inevitable showdown seemed scripted for the bi More...
Jan 12, 2011
Janine
rated it:
Haldeman's novels are always -- on some level -- about the human condition. (Maybe his profs went a bit heavy on the Thucydides when he was in college.) This one is no different. This time around we have two separate alien entities hiding out on Earth. Neither of them knows about the other, and both can change shape at will.
"The Changeling" - For the changeling, this is a coming of age novel. It spent millions of years under the sea (and as various sea creatures), before deci More...
"The Changeling" - For the changeling, this is a coming of age novel. It spent millions of years under the sea (and as various sea creatures), before deci More...
Jan 21, 2011
Julie
rated it:
A shapeshifting alien becomes human and might very well live an immortal life that way, but the ship it came in (or something like that) has been dredged up from the bottom of the ocean.
Alternately told about the being, in the past, and scientists in the present (well, our future) trying to break in or communicate with this thing they've recovered.
It was interesting. Even though it had a feel of big picture, what's-this-thing, lots of superficial characters moving the plo More...
Alternately told about the being, in the past, and scientists in the present (well, our future) trying to break in or communicate with this thing they've recovered.
It was interesting. Even though it had a feel of big picture, what's-this-thing, lots of superficial characters moving the plo More...
Oct 27, 2009
Thom
rated it: 
It was great right up until the end, where it felt like the author just decided he was tired of all the intrigue and just killed the book with a contrived showdown that was the most predictable ending that could have taken place. Not that I blame him. The drama that built up in the last quarter of the book with all its identity theft and CIA agents and complex schemes and counterschemes was kind of tiresome, and I probably wouldn't have wanted all of that to continue for much longer. Also, the c
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Apr 08, 2009
Colin
rated it: 
Read the prologue and stop right there.
The author, Haldeman, has apparently won several awards for multiple books. This book shouldn't win any awards. Readers should commend Haldeman for the ideas in the prologue. Haldeman needs to return to the drawing board to create a better story.
The rest of the book moves slowly and bores to frustration. I'm usually willing to accept a slow book if the end wows me. Camouflage certainly succeeded on slowness but failed on a worthwhil More...
The author, Haldeman, has apparently won several awards for multiple books. This book shouldn't win any awards. Readers should commend Haldeman for the ideas in the prologue. Haldeman needs to return to the drawing board to create a better story.
The rest of the book moves slowly and bores to frustration. I'm usually willing to accept a slow book if the end wows me. Camouflage certainly succeeded on slowness but failed on a worthwhil More...
Feb 27, 2010
Andrea
rated it:
I love Joe Haldeman's THE FOREVER WAR and FOREVER PEACE, and I heart shapeshifters obviously, so I was excited to read this novel (especially after I read an excerpt of it in the James Tiptree Anthology 2). It's a fine book: gripping, a little dirty, explains some science and math things. I got up early on a Saturday morning to finish it. All that said, the writing (language, plot, character development, and pacing) seemed hastily done, and the most interesting aspect to me (the gender shifting
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Mar 31, 2009
Thermopyle
rated it:
This is the fourth work by Haldeman I've read in the past year. They've all been breezily readable, with tight pacing and enjoyable stories, though I liked this one less than the others. His sci-fi technology and aliens are most always more about serving plot and theme rather than realism, which is fine with me as long as I don't have trouble suspending disbelief. I found that harder in Camouflage without the payoff of really interesting characters or situations (the shape-shifting "changel
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Feb 08, 2012
Paulo
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jun 25, 2011
Gregory
rated it:
I'm so happy to be reading sci-fi and fantasy again after years away from the genre. What's nice about this time around is finding some really great writers with interesting ideas (a lot of whom have been around for decades, but just not known to me). Thanks to my friend Ben for this great suggestion (he also suggest Haldeman's crazy time-dilation war book The Forever War which was awesome). The short summary sums the premise up so I don't need to dive into it in depth, but he way the story u
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Jan 28, 2010
Kevin
rated it:
My review of this will be short, because really I don't have that much to say. The basic premise involved to alien shapeshifters who had spent millions of years on Earth. So long, in fact, that both had forgotten their origins. In the near future, however, a team of scientists unearth an alien artifact that draws them both to it - the one because he is trying to discover his origins, the other because he is driven to kill any beings like him.
It was a fairly interesting More...
Mar 25, 2009
Miriam
rated it:
This story of shape-changing aliens is narrated in two and a half separate tracks, which do not intersect until near the end. The primary track is from the point of view of "the changeling," an alien who, after spending eons as a sea creature, encounters a human swimmer in the 1930s and becomes human. Over the years he takes different identities and learns about human nature. We also get short snippets of another alien who loves to kill and hurt people and travels to different war zone
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Jan 09, 2009
Leif
rated it:
I read this book in just a few hours, but found it to be pretty good. I was reminded a little of Polymorph because of the similar theme (two shapeshifters finding and trying to kill each other). Overall, it had a good pace, and was engaging. I did manage to guess one small plot twist, but the book was still quite surprising and enjoyable.
Dec 14, 2011
Fred
rated it:
Joe Haldeman books are what I call easy reads. The storys track fairly fast and there is minimal character development, but enough. Haldeman has a potty mouth sometimes which I don't find offensive but younger readers may not appreciate his vivid language.
All his books are entertaining and easily read. There is not too much complicated plot lines so again easy to read.
Recommended
All his books are entertaining and easily read. There is not too much complicated plot lines so again easy to read.
Recommended
Jan 30, 2012
Kammera
rated it:
Started out a little slow but gained steam as it went. The changeling was flat and boring-i guess this was the point(at first) and over the course of its interactions with humans, it began to take on some humanity. I really liked the last part of the book where there was much more action taking place. I just wish there would have been more interaction throughout the course of the book with the chameleon and the changeling. Sort of like a cat and mouse game that would have made it more interesti
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Aug 08, 2011
Excellent book. A super intelligent take on the Alien vs. predator concept (which was dumbed down by hollywood). Humanity is seen through the eyes of two invincible aliens and their interaction and gradual understanding of what makes us human. Witty, intelligent, action packed and insightful. Highly recommended.
Dec 23, 2010
Van
rated it: 
As always, Haldeman excels at considering and conceiving of realities, technologies and cultures most of us could never create. Importantly, he makes it all so real, and so desperately desirable. There are plenty of reviews out there for this book; look them up. Suffice it to say, I heartily recommend this one.
Dec 05, 2010
Josh
rated it:
This was a good book that tried to take an outsider's look at what makes humanity tick. Interesting that sex is the only thing that came up. Also interesting, from a Vietnam vet, that the changeling developed an abhorrence for killing (though that nonviolence was based on the premise that it could not be seriously injured).
Aug 09, 2009
Julia
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Dec 28, 2009
John
rated it:
Joe Haldeman has the distinction of being my very first sci-fi author. Since then, I've read or bought everything he's written. I loved this book. Engaging characters - including the non-human ones, which are the most interesting of all. The book managed to be terrifying and fascinating at the same time. And the end was a mere whisp - quirky, a bit mysterious and absolutely perfect. I couldn't help but smile.
Yay Joe Haldeman!
Yay Joe Haldeman!
Mar 01, 2009
Jason
rated it:
Didn't think i would like it because of the synopsis on the backcover. Underwater shapeshifer immortal? But it was highly recommended by Jamie, so I gave it a shot. It was really good. Written from POV of the shapeshifting alien that becomes obsessed with becoming studying and becoming human.
Apr 23, 2010
Brittany
rated it:
I came across a short story by Joe Haldeman, and it reminded me how much I used to love his books, so I gave this one a shot, and I'm really glad I did. It's well-written, fast-paced, and kept me interested. Some of it was a little over-the-top (the main romance for one, and the gullibility of certain key scientists) but in an enjoyable way. A perfect traveling/beach book.
May 15, 2009
B
rated it:
This was a fun and easy book to read with a decent down-to-earth alien story.
I generally don't like the kind of sci-fi about wars or love plots on alien planets, but this story brings it closer to home and has the human elements of good and bad. It will probably make a fun summer movie one day.
I generally don't like the kind of sci-fi about wars or love plots on alien planets, but this story brings it closer to home and has the human elements of good and bad. It will probably make a fun summer movie one day.
Aug 11, 2011
Well written and tightly plotted SF,which is what I've come to expect from Joe Haldeman.The alien's transformations are well thought out and there's a lot of attention to detail in the historical accounts ,like the Bataan march.The ending seemed a little anticlimactic though.
Jan 10, 2012
David
rated it:
I am not a science fiction reader as such, but was assigned to read something out of my usual genres as an part of a readers advisory review at the library. I really liked it! When the navy discovers a mysterious artifact seven miles underwater in the depths of the Tonga-Kermadec Trench, it approaches marine biologist and former government scientist Russell Sutton for assistance. Reluctantly, Sutton agrees, unaware that a pair of immortal beings (shapechangers) has been summoned from its eterna
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Oct 02, 2010
Kevin
rated it:
Great story. Haldeman hits science on the mark for me as always. Not too much, but correct. This story flows and is a page turner. The Changling is a character that I actually grew somewhat close to during the story. It isn't as deep as the Forever War or Forever Peace, but it is a fun worthwhile read.
Oct 21, 2007
http://nhw.livejournal.com/678244.html[return][return]It bears a very strong resemblance to Octavia Butler's Wild Seed, with the story being the interweaving of two threads about immortals (in this case, probably alien) living in our world, who are drawn together by an alien artifact discovered in the Pacific Ocean in 2019. Indeed, perhaps the award of the Nebula was partly a tribute to Butler's novel. Haldeman, of course, puts his own riffs on it - basically, he brings in much more science, and
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May 23, 2011
Jonathan
rated it:
Very readable but nothing special. No amazing revelations, passably interesting characters and a somewhat cliched plot combine to make a book that's a pleasant way to spend a few hours but is ultimately forgettable.
May 10, 2011
Stefan
rated it:
Like the Accidental Time Machine, this book by Haldeman starts strong. Unlike it, it stays strong almost the entire time. And very much like it, it also ends in the most random and unsatisfying manner possible.
You have two alien shape shifters trapped on earth, trying to uncover the mystery of their origins. One is evil and wants to destroy the other one. How could that possible end badly?
Read this book and you'll find out. The ending is so face-palmingly unsuited to this boo More...
You have two alien shape shifters trapped on earth, trying to uncover the mystery of their origins. One is evil and wants to destroy the other one. How could that possible end badly?
Read this book and you'll find out. The ending is so face-palmingly unsuited to this boo More...
Aug 10, 2010
Jon
rated it:
Part of this story is about shape-shifting, immortal aliens who have been living among us. It's kind of interesting, but it really wasn't my cup of tea. It's not what I think of when I think "science fiction".
Sep 17, 2010
Alpha
rated it:
3.5/5 - I enjoyed Haldeman's portrayal of aliens, and in general, the plot and characters flowed smoothly. The 'twist' was pretty obvious, and the end abrupt, but I still liked the book nonetheless.
