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Firstborn (A Time Odyssey #3)
The Firstborn–the mysterious race of aliens who first became known to science fiction fans as the builders of the iconic black monolith in 2001: A Space Odyssey–have inhabited legendary master of science fiction Sir Arthur C. Clarke’s writing for decades. With Time’s Eye and Sunstorm, the first two books in their acclaimed Time Odyssey series, Clarke and his brilliant co-a...more
Mass Market Paperback, 416 pages
Published
October 28th 2008
by Del Rey
(first published February 12th 2007)
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This is the 3rd book in the series, the collaboration between Clarke and Baxter further explores both authors interests in god-like aliens and the Fermi paradox. Unfortunately for me, it was a disappointment.
As in the previous Sunstorm, earth is threatened with extinction, this time by an "unstoppable" cosmological bomb. This is the device to keep the plot moving along, which it does, although ultimately the solution is poorly thought out and unsatisfying.
The ...more
As in the previous Sunstorm, earth is threatened with extinction, this time by an "unstoppable" cosmological bomb. This is the device to keep the plot moving along, which it does, although ultimately the solution is poorly thought out and unsatisfying.
The ...more
I try to remind myself that my enjoyment of a book, or movie, or TV show, or game, whatever, stems from my expectations going into it. Which of course is why I’m sure I’ll hate the new Avengers movie when it comes out later this year, but I’ll probably love something that should be lame, like The Phantom Menace 3D experience – which I would probably see in 2D.
Anyhow, the last book I reviewed I was a bit harsh on. I expected a fun romp through a future universe full of FTL and mysterio...more
Anyhow, the last book I reviewed I was a bit harsh on. I expected a fun romp through a future universe full of FTL and mysterio...more
E così la nuova Odissea nel Tempo giunge ad una conclusione. Forse.
Dopo il mediocre e banale secondo capitolo, questo terzo romanzo si presenta decisamente migliore, e non solo perché tutti i nodi finalmente vengono al pettine.
La trama si presenta ben dispiegata, equilibrata, e se anche può sembra un po' troppo priva di azione il ritmo rimane comunque incalzante.
Ciò che fa brillare comunque questo romanzo è la cura nei dettagli e la resa di tutto lo sfondo sociale-culturale-tecnologico del mondo...more
Dopo il mediocre e banale secondo capitolo, questo terzo romanzo si presenta decisamente migliore, e non solo perché tutti i nodi finalmente vengono al pettine.
La trama si presenta ben dispiegata, equilibrata, e se anche può sembra un po' troppo priva di azione il ritmo rimane comunque incalzante.
Ciò che fa brillare comunque questo romanzo è la cura nei dettagli e la resa di tutto lo sfondo sociale-culturale-tecnologico del mondo...more
Book 4 of the last series co-penned by Clarke (and his 2nd to last book), a supurb sci-fi futurist author. His works read as a future that is plausible and this one doesnt fall short. I enjoy the story line of this series, even though I am no fan of time distortion (if even that is what has taken place in this series) and I look forward to see where they go with this final book.
****
Finishing this book was a bit of a disappointment. The 'universe' was great , though a lot of it is muc...more
****
Finishing this book was a bit of a disappointment. The 'universe' was great , though a lot of it is muc...more
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Like some other readers, I had a harder time getting into this book than Time’s Eye and Sunstorm. I'll admit that one reason was my inability to fully grasp the scientific concepts involved. However, I also think that Stephen Baxter uses so much ink developing the technological and theoretical concepts that character development gets neglected.
Nevertheless, I loved the last 70 pages or so. Once Mr. Baxter gets past the predictable fate of the Q-bomb, the story opens up into a fas...more
Nevertheless, I loved the last 70 pages or so. Once Mr. Baxter gets past the predictable fate of the Q-bomb, the story opens up into a fas...more
Rick Ludwig
rated it
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review of another edition
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review of another edition
Shelves:
read-since-retirement,
read-in-last-ten-years
A conclusion that ties up the other two books, but I was disappointed. I rank this between the other two. the first in the series was my favorite and promised more than the subsequent two delivered. This one was better than the second in the series, which had little to do with the first. I wish I had stopped after reading Time's Eye to be honest. Taken on its own, Firstborn had some good moments, but they were scattered. I was glad to see Bisesa return to Mir and to see what had happened t...more
I SO wanted to love this book. In fact, I did, right up to the ending! Still, it was a fun read and I was totally drawn into the conclusion. I just wasn't happy with the way it ended. If Sir Arthur C. Clarke had not passed away, we might have seen a sequel. But, alas, I don't think we will and I'm stuck using my imagination to see how the whole thing really ends. That may have been the point of the sorry ending, but where's the fun in that? LOL. ;)
I have to disagree with the immediately previous review. This is the most Clarke of the three novels in this series, right down to the short sharp chapters and vividly imagined impact of alien influences on human activity. I like the character development through this book as people change more realistically than in the first two. I found it the most satisfying of the three.
This is the final book in the Clarke-Baxter Time Oddessy series and one of Clarke's final books before passing away in 2008. It's tangentially related to Clarke's 2001, 2010, 2064, and 3001 Space Oddessy series with the "Eyes" taking the place of monoliths and the Firstborn being the intelligence behind the Eyes/Monoliths. Not quite as good as the Space Oddessy series. Nevertheless, Clarke & Baxter bring in some fun ideas and interesting angles in regards to dark energy and quintessenc...more
I read this, the last book of the Time Odyssey series, expecting more elaboration upon the goals and motivation of the Firstborn, with the hope of a glimpse of the actual McCoy...dashed in the end. The conclusion leaves much to be desired, though the story was riveting throughout much of its run...
At times the authors delve a little too deeply into politics that slow the story down, but otherwise a worthy conclusion to the trilogy, if still a bit too optimistic about humankind's ability to endure despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
In the end, it seems all stories (especially by these authors) that try to address the far future of the universe end in overwhelming cold, darkness, and loneliness. That, I find extremely depressing.
In the end, it seems all stories (especially by these authors) that try to address the far future of the universe end in overwhelming cold, darkness, and loneliness. That, I find extremely depressing.
I so wanted to like Firstborn, but my patience for it fell apart about halfway through. While many of the science-inspired elements were fascinating, some thinly sketched characters and a loose plot eventually turned me off. Still, it's probably a must read if you're into the series.
The conclusion of the Time's Odyssey series. Science fiction should have some chance at becoming science fact. Clarke & Baxter are very good at exploring very achievable technology. A good read, it helps to believe in space exploration. I believe this is AC Clarke's last book.
Enormously disappointing. Weak, agonisingly slow in places, unfocussed and in dire need of professional editing. It isn't even a conclusion to the series, ending with a flaccid open final chapter. Don't bother with this one.
I read it in two days! Now much to say, your usual Clarke-ian SF and I felt that the resolution in the end was a bit of a deus ex machina but overall it was a very exciting ride, with brilliant pacing and fantastic ideas!
Great book. It seemed to bounce between classic Sci-Fi that I expect from Clarke, and an action-adventure. There were a few chapters that I extremely enjoyed that discussed the implementation of a Space Elevator in great detail.
A big asteroid is on track to hit the earth in 2019. Want to know what to do? Fix NASA, and read Firstborn. Arthur Clarke & Stephen Baxter tackle asteroids as only the first challenge in the Odyssey series.
I liked this even more than the previous ones even though the logic of the story was more haphazard than in the previous two books. With this ending a fourth book would still fit in.
"Continued to enjoy the last part of this trilogy. As before, very heavy on hard scifi (Black Holes, Dark Energy, Time Travel), and light on character development."
Fabulous and hard to put down as always though I wasn't a fan of the ending. It was left hanging and open for book 4, which will never happen since Arthur passed away. Total bummer because I really wanted to know what happened next.
Somewhat confusing but very interesting. It doesn't end with any kind of finality, however. I wonder if Baxter, the only living co-author of this series, will try to create another edition. It feels like a fourth book in the series was planned before Clarke's death in 2008.
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A good book, but the conclusion was a little disappointing. Not one of either author's best works, but enjoyable enough.
Somewhat more rambling and less satisfying than the previous two Time Odyssey books. Unsatisfying ending.
In their attempt to wrap up the various threads, I felt like I could not enjoy any single thread very much.
To preserve life you have to destroy life, but at what point do you stop? And isn't this logic messed up?
A fitting conclusion to the trilogy. And now maybe we know who those aliens are from "2001"?
Wish I had read the other two first. I hate coming into the middle of a story.
Who the hell are the Lastborn...and there's no more books in this series!
Don't buy. Get it at the library. Long slow ponderous.
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Clarke won the Nebula Award of the Science Fiction Writers of America in 1972, 1974 and 1979; the Hugo Award of the World Science Fiction Convention in 1974 and 1980, and in 1986 became Grand Master of the Science Fiction Writers of America. He was awarded the CBE in 1989.
See also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_C._C...
More about Arthur C. Clarke...
See also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_C._C...
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