From storm drains, illegal dumps, and flooded landfills, all of North America’s most advanced technology flows down the Mississippi River... read full description
reviews
Jun 09, 2009
Alan
rated it: 
Though this book came highly recommended (in a review from The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction by author Chris Moriarty, whose own work I've enjoyed), in the end I did not think Watermind measured up to Moriarty's praise. The characters seemed thin, overly-complicated collections of unrelated traits, and obscurely motivated - CJ Reilly, spoiled rich trust fund baby from the North (or, rather, "up Noth"); Ramon Sacony from Buenos Aires, a caricature of an industrial mogul with ste
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Jan 05, 2012
Roger Loran
rated it: 
There seems to be a small subgenre of science fiction in which pollution, garbage, sewage or some other disgusting substance forms itself into some kind of malevolent being. The one that comes most quickly to mind is the movie "Godzilla versus the Smog Monster." I think that many years ago I also read a comic book in which a garbage dump coalesced part of itself into a being called Garbage Man. These stories generally are severely lacking in verisimilitude. The premise is pretty absurd
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Jun 20, 2010
Maik
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Oct 28, 2011
J
rated it: 
Within the first 25 pages, we are treated to the n and v words for female private parts, casual drug use and a bi-racial couple who become lovers after 2 weeks of knowing each other. And, of course, a young, pretty, intelligent, rich & sexually promiscuous girl struggling with the after-effects of a repressive, controlling father and absent mother. I couldn't care less for the characters or subject matter.
The book has this anti-authority anti-establishment feel which I really appreci More...
The book has this anti-authority anti-establishment feel which I really appreci More...
Jul 04, 2011
Stephanie
rated it:
„Carolyn (CJ) nahm die Probe mit beiden Händen entgegen wie ein wertvolles Juwel – oder wie eine tickende Bombe.“ Seit Jahrzehnten wird das verlassene Sumpfgebiet Devil’s Swamp als Mülldeponie benutzt. Doch nun gelangen dort hochkomplexe Mikrochips in einen Tümpel voller Chemikalien und Biomasse. Sie setzen eine Kettenreaktion in Gang – und eine neue Lebensform entsteht, anders als alles, was es bisher auf unserem Planeten gegeben hat. Aber ist sie friedlich … oder eine tödliche Gefahr?
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Feb 11, 2012
Noskap
rated it:
I was under the impression that this was a book with critical acclaim and good writing to boot.
The first 50 pages may grip you by the balls, but once you start getting the meat of the book you get left with a pretty unsatisfying taste in your mouth.
After the first introductory part, the books writing slumps over into a ditch and is completely boring to read.
I didn't finish reading this book, as I couldn't bare the bad writing any longer after page 128.
T More...
The first 50 pages may grip you by the balls, but once you start getting the meat of the book you get left with a pretty unsatisfying taste in your mouth.
After the first introductory part, the books writing slumps over into a ditch and is completely boring to read.
I didn't finish reading this book, as I couldn't bare the bad writing any longer after page 128.
T More...
Apr 30, 2009
Jeb
rated it:
This one lost me. It started out so well for sci-fi. Nano monitors combine and acquire some basic intelligence to the point where they start migrating into Louisiana. A person finds the pond where they're located and starts to interact them.
But, then, Buckner loses me as the events slow down and we spend way too much time discussing the foibles of the human characters.
Other than Asimov, Herbert and Heinlein, I tend not to get into lots of sci-fi character development (I n More...
But, then, Buckner loses me as the events slow down and we spend way too much time discussing the foibles of the human characters.
Other than Asimov, Herbert and Heinlein, I tend not to get into lots of sci-fi character development (I n More...
Feb 09, 2009
Michelle
rated it:
I probably went into this book with a jaded eye because there's a typo on the back flap (the author was a "finalst" for an award). Tor, Tor, Tor. You're getting sloppy.
I liked the premise of the book a lot: all of the electronic crap that we throw away without even thinking about it flows downstream and melds together to form a new form of conciousness, the "watermind." I thought the whole thing could have been fleshed out a lot better though. And the end was a More...
I liked the premise of the book a lot: all of the electronic crap that we throw away without even thinking about it flows downstream and melds together to form a new form of conciousness, the "watermind." I thought the whole thing could have been fleshed out a lot better though. And the end was a More...
Dec 09, 2010
Kae
rated it: 
This is a toughie to give stars to. So I'll break it down.
5 stars for language and wordsmith talent;
5 stars on atmosphere and sense of place;
4 stars on unique story concept.
And what is the story? As with most speculative fiction, it's based on a very interesting "what if." What if discarded technology such as microchips and computer parts, and lost high-tech equipment (nano devices and GPS modules) mixed in with genmod stuff and pharmaceuticals--all getting mire More...
5 stars for language and wordsmith talent;
5 stars on atmosphere and sense of place;
4 stars on unique story concept.
And what is the story? As with most speculative fiction, it's based on a very interesting "what if." What if discarded technology such as microchips and computer parts, and lost high-tech equipment (nano devices and GPS modules) mixed in with genmod stuff and pharmaceuticals--all getting mire More...
Jun 29, 2009
Ben
rated it:
Nanotechnology is to contemporary society what space flight was to the society of the '50s and '60s--achievable not but not quite viable yet. And just as space flight inspired some of the '50s and '60s most chilling sci-fi horror stories, nanotechnology serves the same role in the 2000s. Alas, while M.M. Buckner's Watermind has an intriguing concept, it fails to deliver anything resembling a good story.
The eponymous Watermind is a semi-sentient, self-emergent neural net that evolve More...
The eponymous Watermind is a semi-sentient, self-emergent neural net that evolve More...
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Jan 24, 2010
Cissa
rated it:
Interesting concept, but spoiled by poor writing. The characters were cardboard when secondary, and random when primary, particularly the protagonist and the human antagonist, behaving firmly how the plot required them to whether or not it made any sense in terms of their supposed personalities. I think the resolution was scientifically implausible given the nature of the beast, but then so was much of its behavior.
Apr 15, 2010
Raymond
rated it:
Stopped reading it after about 1/3 of the book. The book has an interesting theme but its almost as much about the sexual life of the main character than about an otherwise interesting theme. I'm rating this the same than I would rate many of the Hollywood movies whose main selling point is either sex or violence without much else behind it.
May 20, 2009
Davecon
rated it:
Story of an how electronic waste materials congealed with regular
chemical pollutants in a New Orleans swamp created a sencient
being that turned to ice, moved down the Mississippi toward the
gulf leaving a wake of pure water and bodies. Thought provoking and
really makes you want to recycle!
chemical pollutants in a New Orleans swamp created a sencient
being that turned to ice, moved down the Mississippi toward the
gulf leaving a wake of pure water and bodies. Thought provoking and
really makes you want to recycle!
Jan 17, 2009
Leslita
rated it:
Creative contemporary sci fi, with interesting smart female het protagonist, all set in Louisiana swamps. I did skim some of the last chapter, but by then it was 2am. Written well so that I did not trip over poor grammar or stilted dialogue. Refreshing escape reading!
Oct 25, 2009
Interesting twist on the idea of a primordial soup of creation, with this one sparked by toxic waste and nanotech. The second good sci fi novel involving nanotech I've read lately. The other a post-apocalyptic novel called Plague year - Jeff Carlson.
Mar 24, 2009
Marsha
rated it:
Story evolves around the premise that computer chips plus other flotsam and jetsum including lab created bacteria, genetically modified waste products and typical American garbage combine to create an Artificial Intelligence. Interesting and fun.
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Jan 08, 2012
Deryn
rated it:
This is the worst book I've attempted to read in many a year. It's sad, because the premise is really promising - but the writing is atrocious. I had to give up before page 100, which is something I very rarely do. Sorry, this was just a fail.
Dec 22, 2008
baxter
rated it:
In a toxic polluted swamp full of industrial waste and old technology, a neural net develops, a sentient 'being' composed of nanotechnology and industrial waste. Bad things ensue. Not a bad read, but a great concept.
Jan 28, 2010
Becki
rated it: 
Great concept. Great ending, also. The characters tried to kill the Watermind throughout the whole book, failed at every turn, then finally it hit saltwater and that was the end of it. Or so they thought! They didn't notice the water vapor floating away... :) Nice.
Jun 28, 2010
Gail
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It held my interest to the end and is definitely plot driven. As I expected, there was a simple resolution that made sense. The storyline could have been expanded in any number of ways, but for this basic story it worked.
Feb 15, 2009
Michelle
rated it:
This book is a modern day creation story--if a new lifeform were to arise on earth, how might it happen. The scenario the author develops seems chillingly possible, however.
Sep 08, 2010
Stefan
rated it:
One of the worst books I have ever read in my entire life. The writing is just all over the place and the characters are all flat. The book's cover and blurb got me fooled.
Aug 12, 2009
Maureen
rated it:
I was hoping the book would be similar to M.Crichton stuff but as i got 1/4 way thru i struggled. Was a little disappointed, just not technical enough for me, if guess. Mushy Mushy and techno stuff just dont mix well for me.
Aug 28, 2011
Goddardcc
rated it:
Intriguing story of a brand-new intelligence that emerges from electronic trash in a poluted pond in Louisianna.
Dec 22, 2009
Red7paulbrennan
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The Watermind had interesting ideas. Overall i did not care for the way situations were handled thought out the book.
Apr 23, 2011
David
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This was a quite enjoyable fun thriller of with an implausible-but-cool science-y twist. Reminds me a lot of Michael Crichton's Prey.
Nov 22, 2010
Echo
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This really wasn't that good. It had potential & I kept hoping it would realize it, but it never did. Don't waste your time.
Dec 02, 2011
Zuany
rated it:
SciFi combined with consequences of pollution and human being's disregard for our actions.
