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Hunter's Run
Running from poverty and hopelessness, Ramón Espejo boarded one of the great starships of the mysterious, repulsive Enye. But the new life he found on the far-off planet of São Paulo was no better than the one he abandoned. Then one night his rage and too much alcohol get the better of him. Deadly violence ensues, forcing Ramón to flee into the wilderness.
Mercifully, almost happily alone—far from the loud, bustling hive of humanity that he detests with sociopathic fervor—the luckless prospector is finally free to search for the one rich strike that could make him wealthy. But what he stumbles upon instead is an advanced alien race in desperate fugitives, like him, on a world not their own. Suddenly in possession of a powerful, dangerous secret and caught up in an extraordinary manhunt on a hostile, unpredictable planet, Ramón must first escape . . . and then, somehow, survive.
And his deadliest enemy is himself.
Mercifully, almost happily alone—far from the loud, bustling hive of humanity that he detests with sociopathic fervor—the luckless prospector is finally free to search for the one rich strike that could make him wealthy. But what he stumbles upon instead is an advanced alien race in desperate fugitives, like him, on a world not their own. Suddenly in possession of a powerful, dangerous secret and caught up in an extraordinary manhunt on a hostile, unpredictable planet, Ramón must first escape . . . and then, somehow, survive.
And his deadliest enemy is himself.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2007
225 people are currently reading
2932 people want to read
About the author
George R.R. Martin
1,506 books118k followersGeorge Raymond Richard "R.R." Martin was born September 20, 1948, in Bayonne, New Jersey. His father was Raymond Collins Martin, a longshoreman, and his mother was Margaret Brady Martin. He has two sisters, Darleen Martin Lapinski and Janet Martin Patten.
Martin attended Mary Jane Donohoe School and Marist High School. He began writing very young, selling monster stories to other neighborhood children for pennies, dramatic readings included. Later he became a comic book fan and collector in high school, and began to write fiction for comic fanzines (amateur fan magazines). Martin's first professional sale was made in 1970 at age 21: The Hero, sold to Galaxy, published in February, 1971 issue. Other sales followed.
In 1970 Martin received a B.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, graduating summa cum laude. He went on to complete a M.S. in Journalism in 1971, also from Northwestern.
As a conscientious objector, Martin did alternative service 1972-1974 with VISTA, attached to Cook County Legal Assistance Foundation. He also directed chess tournaments for the Continental Chess Association from 1973-1976, and was a Journalism instructor at Clarke College, Dubuque, Iowa, from 1976-1978. He wrote part-time throughout the 1970s while working as a VISTA Volunteer, chess director, and teacher.
In 1975 he married Gale Burnick. They divorced in 1979, with no children. Martin became a full-time writer in 1979. He was writer-in-residence at Clarke College from 1978-79.
Moving on to Hollywood, Martin signed on as a story editor for Twilight Zone at CBS Television in 1986. In 1987 Martin became an Executive Story Consultant for Beauty and the Beast at CBS. In 1988 he became a Producer for Beauty and the Beast, then in 1989 moved up to Co-Supervising Producer. He was Executive Producer for Doorways, a pilot which he wrote for Columbia Pictures Television, which was filmed during 1992-93.
Martin's present home is Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is a member of Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (he was South-Central Regional Director 1977-1979, and Vice President 1996-1998), and of Writers' Guild of America, West.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/george...
Martin attended Mary Jane Donohoe School and Marist High School. He began writing very young, selling monster stories to other neighborhood children for pennies, dramatic readings included. Later he became a comic book fan and collector in high school, and began to write fiction for comic fanzines (amateur fan magazines). Martin's first professional sale was made in 1970 at age 21: The Hero, sold to Galaxy, published in February, 1971 issue. Other sales followed.
In 1970 Martin received a B.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, graduating summa cum laude. He went on to complete a M.S. in Journalism in 1971, also from Northwestern.
As a conscientious objector, Martin did alternative service 1972-1974 with VISTA, attached to Cook County Legal Assistance Foundation. He also directed chess tournaments for the Continental Chess Association from 1973-1976, and was a Journalism instructor at Clarke College, Dubuque, Iowa, from 1976-1978. He wrote part-time throughout the 1970s while working as a VISTA Volunteer, chess director, and teacher.
In 1975 he married Gale Burnick. They divorced in 1979, with no children. Martin became a full-time writer in 1979. He was writer-in-residence at Clarke College from 1978-79.
Moving on to Hollywood, Martin signed on as a story editor for Twilight Zone at CBS Television in 1986. In 1987 Martin became an Executive Story Consultant for Beauty and the Beast at CBS. In 1988 he became a Producer for Beauty and the Beast, then in 1989 moved up to Co-Supervising Producer. He was Executive Producer for Doorways, a pilot which he wrote for Columbia Pictures Television, which was filmed during 1992-93.
Martin's present home is Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is a member of Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (he was South-Central Regional Director 1977-1979, and Vice President 1996-1998), and of Writers' Guild of America, West.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/george...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 421 reviews
March 13, 2018
Ενδιαφέρον ανάγνωσμα, χωρίς όμως κάποια ιδιαίτερη πρωτοτυπία. Το τελικό αποτέλεσμα είναι συνδυασμός 3 συγγραφέων (με ολίγη από Martin) και πολλών χρόνων συνεργασίας. Αυτό, κατά την άποψή μου είναι και το μειονέκτημα του βιβλίου που φαίνεται στο βιαστικό και αμήχανο φινάλε του.
Διαβάζεται ευχάριστα πάντως.
Διαβάζεται ευχάριστα πάντως.
July 12, 2010
Too many see the name George R.R. Martin and think, "Song of Ice and Fire!" While those books are incredible, Martin, Dozois, and Abraham all have an impressive resume with other works. This book should be considered among them. The story of Ramon Espejo, and his journey through the wilderness with Maneck and beyond is certainly a compelling one. The world of Sao Paulo and the backstory of this universe is all expertly crafted, but like other works by these authors, the character is the heart.
Ramon Espejo is a bastard. Actually, he's a real piece of shit who murders someone in the first couple pages. Yet, as we get to see himself through his own eyes (spoiler?), we get to see his own path towards redemption, and eventually, acceptance. Ramon Espejo may be a terrible person, but in his situation, one can sympathize.
At little under 300 pages, this book can easily be read in a weekend or so, and I recommend it to anyone who finds the time.
Ramon Espejo is a bastard. Actually, he's a real piece of shit who murders someone in the first couple pages. Yet, as we get to see himself through his own eyes (spoiler?), we get to see his own path towards redemption, and eventually, acceptance. Ramon Espejo may be a terrible person, but in his situation, one can sympathize.
At little under 300 pages, this book can easily be read in a weekend or so, and I recommend it to anyone who finds the time.
December 13, 2025
truly. truly a waste of time
November 9, 2020
Είναι ένα μυθιστόρημα επιστημονικής φαντασίας που δεν θα το πρότεινα. Βλέπεις το όνομα «Μάρτιν» και οι προσδοκίες είναι μεγάλες, όπως ακριβώς και η απογοήτευση. Στο μυαλό μου έχει εντυπωθεί πλέον ως ένα βαρετό βιβλίο που το τελείωσα λόγω του ψυχαναγκασμού μου.
Θετικά
-Η γραφή των τριών συγγραφέων είναι πολύ καλή και αυτό είναι που σε κάνει να συνεχίσεις την ανάγνωση.
Αρνητικά
-Στη μέση του βιβλίου- και κατ’ επέκταση στο μεγαλύτερο μέρος του βιβλίου- κάνει μεγάλη κοιλιά με πολλές και βαρετές περιγραφές. Το ενδιαφέρον προσελκύουν η αρχή και το τέλος του βιβλίου που ακόμη κι αυτά δεν είναι κάτι το ιδιαίτερο.
-Θεωρώ ότι αν και η ιδέα τους ήταν ενδιαφέρουσα την ανέπτυξαν πολύ βαρετά.
Θετικά
-Η γραφή των τριών συγγραφέων είναι πολύ καλή και αυτό είναι που σε κάνει να συνεχίσεις την ανάγνωση.
Αρνητικά
-Στη μέση του βιβλίου- και κατ’ επέκταση στο μεγαλύτερο μέρος του βιβλίου- κάνει μεγάλη κοιλιά με πολλές και βαρετές περιγραφές. Το ενδιαφέρον προσελκύουν η αρχή και το τέλος του βιβλίου που ακόμη κι αυτά δεν είναι κάτι το ιδιαίτερο.
-Θεωρώ ότι αν και η ιδέα τους ήταν ενδιαφέρουσα την ανέπτυξαν πολύ βαρετά.
April 25, 2020
6,25/10
El primer tercio del libro me ha parecido bastante engorroso, a partir de ese momento la narración fluye de un modo más natural y la lectura comienza a entretener, aunque sin llegar a ser nada del otro mundo.
No es ni de lejos lo mejor que ha escrito Martin, pero tiene algunas cositas interesantes que puede atraer a cierto público.
El primer tercio del libro me ha parecido bastante engorroso, a partir de ese momento la narración fluye de un modo más natural y la lectura comienza a entretener, aunque sin llegar a ser nada del otro mundo.
No es ni de lejos lo mejor que ha escrito Martin, pero tiene algunas cositas interesantes que puede atraer a cierto público.
September 4, 2017
What a jaw-dropping ride; so full of surprises, adventure, action, philosophy, psychology. Just amazing. This is not a book to be read very quickly. Take the time to pick up all the nuances, and see if you can guess what's coming next. It was not predictable. Also, this isn't in-depth sci-fi with a lot of long discussions about space travel and a lot of world-building. This is very accessible to fans of most any genre.
December 15, 2025
Oof.
So. I'm giving this 1.5 stars. Before I did so, I went and looked back at all the other books I've ever given 1 star and I just don't think this is as egregious as those.
Do not get me wrong; this is not a good book. Nowhere in it can you find the subtle characterization of Abraham or the thrilling writing of Martin. You will, however, learn all about what it means to be a real man.
I gave it the extra half star because I wasn't driven as insane by the Star Wars, danger-makes-me-horniness of Ashes of the Sun. Nor was it the monumental slog and murder of potential that was the Burning God. Nor was I as bored as A Long Way to a Small Angry Planet. And I was certainly never as ready for it to be over as I was with Emperor's Blades or Return of the Crimson Guard. But it is not good.
It is, however, short and easy to read (prose-wise).
The problem is Ramon. The main character is insufferable. He is irredeemable and unapologetic in his awfulness. I absolutely approve of Gardner wanting Hispanic representation in science fiction, but Ramon is a walking set of negative stereotypes and never shows any growth at all. There are some interesting ideas grappling for purchase beneath the wave of unpleasant machismo, but any life boat launched to rescue them is done so with Gardner's unsteady hand at the tiller, and all they can do is gasp for air amidst a spray of pinche and pendejo, before they are dragged down to the depths by the weight of Ramon's unrepentant douchebaggery.
So. I'm giving this 1.5 stars. Before I did so, I went and looked back at all the other books I've ever given 1 star and I just don't think this is as egregious as those.
Do not get me wrong; this is not a good book. Nowhere in it can you find the subtle characterization of Abraham or the thrilling writing of Martin. You will, however, learn all about what it means to be a real man.
I gave it the extra half star because I wasn't driven as insane by the Star Wars, danger-makes-me-horniness of Ashes of the Sun. Nor was it the monumental slog and murder of potential that was the Burning God. Nor was I as bored as A Long Way to a Small Angry Planet. And I was certainly never as ready for it to be over as I was with Emperor's Blades or Return of the Crimson Guard. But it is not good.
It is, however, short and easy to read (prose-wise).
The problem is Ramon. The main character is insufferable. He is irredeemable and unapologetic in his awfulness. I absolutely approve of Gardner wanting Hispanic representation in science fiction, but Ramon is a walking set of negative stereotypes and never shows any growth at all. There are some interesting ideas grappling for purchase beneath the wave of unpleasant machismo, but any life boat launched to rescue them is done so with Gardner's unsteady hand at the tiller, and all they can do is gasp for air amidst a spray of pinche and pendejo, before they are dragged down to the depths by the weight of Ramon's unrepentant douchebaggery.
April 26, 2018
7.5/10
It took three authors and many, many years for this story to be completed but after all this time they have achieved, with each one adding their own style, to make a quite interesting, psychological story with lots of action, humor and some really good twists.
Ramon’s life on Earth wasn’t easy and on São Paulo, a new colony planet far from Earth, not much have changed but he has managed to survive.
However, he is a tough and cranky guy, and when one day accidentally kills an ambassador for the out-worlds after a fight outside a bar he will be forced to find a place to hide for a while until things calm down.
But as he reaches his hiding place he will discover that something else is already there, something he never believed he will ever see, and it would put him in a great adventure and a hunt for his survival in an unknown world.
But when the hunter becomes the prey then, everything changes.
For those who don’t know the story of this book has a long history. The story initially came as an idea by Gardner Dozois in 1976 but, after not being able to evolve it, he gave it to Martin to try and continue it.
After written a small piece Martin returned the story to Dozois and suggested, as some kind of personal game of theirs, to complete the story with each one writing in turns and adding their own ideas. But Dozois still couldn’t evolve it more and so it got somewhat “forgotten” in the drawer until a new blood came in the company, Daniel Abraham, in 2004 and he managed to make it a novella titled Shadow Twin.
However, after this novella Dozois started reworking it again and, with Martin's and Abraham’s help and ideas, managed to make it a full-length novel which, ultimately, became this book.
So, after all these great changes that the story has gone through three decades, I have to say, that it flows quite well in this version as also the writing easy enough too.
Of course the protagonist is a bit unlikable, and to some perhaps will bother them that, but in general the story has a very interesting world-building and some quite original alien races.
However though, in some parts I felt that some things could have, perhaps, gone a bit faster, especially with the second and fifth part, and instead focused a little more on the world-building but, nevertheless, it is a quite good story with enough action and lots of twists to hold the interest.
Overall, even though it has some disadvantages, it is a nice book with an interesting story just don’t expect anything that would blow you away.
Ελληνική κριτική:
It took three authors and many, many years for this story to be completed but after all this time they have achieved, with each one adding their own style, to make a quite interesting, psychological story with lots of action, humor and some really good twists.
Ramon’s life on Earth wasn’t easy and on São Paulo, a new colony planet far from Earth, not much have changed but he has managed to survive.
However, he is a tough and cranky guy, and when one day accidentally kills an ambassador for the out-worlds after a fight outside a bar he will be forced to find a place to hide for a while until things calm down.
But as he reaches his hiding place he will discover that something else is already there, something he never believed he will ever see, and it would put him in a great adventure and a hunt for his survival in an unknown world.
But when the hunter becomes the prey then, everything changes.
For those who don’t know the story of this book has a long history. The story initially came as an idea by Gardner Dozois in 1976 but, after not being able to evolve it, he gave it to Martin to try and continue it.
After written a small piece Martin returned the story to Dozois and suggested, as some kind of personal game of theirs, to complete the story with each one writing in turns and adding their own ideas. But Dozois still couldn’t evolve it more and so it got somewhat “forgotten” in the drawer until a new blood came in the company, Daniel Abraham, in 2004 and he managed to make it a novella titled Shadow Twin.
However, after this novella Dozois started reworking it again and, with Martin's and Abraham’s help and ideas, managed to make it a full-length novel which, ultimately, became this book.
So, after all these great changes that the story has gone through three decades, I have to say, that it flows quite well in this version as also the writing easy enough too.
Of course the protagonist is a bit unlikable, and to some perhaps will bother them that, but in general the story has a very interesting world-building and some quite original alien races.
However though, in some parts I felt that some things could have, perhaps, gone a bit faster, especially with the second and fifth part, and instead focused a little more on the world-building but, nevertheless, it is a quite good story with enough action and lots of twists to hold the interest.
Overall, even though it has some disadvantages, it is a nice book with an interesting story just don’t expect anything that would blow you away.
Ελληνική κριτική:
October 1, 2020
Ένα βιβλίο που το αγόρασα, επειδή (σίγουρα κατά κύριο λόγο γιατί στη συγγραφή συμμετείχε ο Martin, αλλά και επειδή…) ήταν σε προσφορά και για να κλείσω μια παραγγελία, χωρίς να πληρώσω ταχυδρομικά. Ένα βιβλίο που ‘’φοβήθηκα’’, λόγω της βαθμολογίας του. Τελικά, όμως , ήταν το πρώτο από το πακέτο της παραγγελίας που διάβασα και το απόλαυσα. Σίγουρα παράξενη η ιστορία του, αφού χρειάστηκαν τρεις συγγραφείς και καμιά εικοσιπενταριά χρόνια για να ολοκληρωθεί. Είχε μερικές πολύ ωραίες ιδέες, ενώ μου άρεσαν οι αλλαγές δεδομένων – καταστάσεων στις οποίες βρίσκεται ο πρωταγωνιστής. Λιγότερο καλό βρήκα το τελευταίο μέρος του, ενώ επίσης και αυτού του είδους τα φινάλε δεν είναι τα αγαπημένα μου. Συμπερασματικά, το βρήκα ένα πολύ καλό βιβλίο και θεωρώ ότι αδικείται από την χαμηλή βαθμολογία.
November 25, 2016
Μεγάλη ιστορία κρύβεται πίσω από την έκδοση του βιβλίου αυτού (όχι την ελληνική έκδοση, αλλά την πρωτότυπη). Μπορεί να διαβάσει κανείς το επίμετρο στο τέλος και θα καταλάβει ότι πέρασε από χίλια κύματα μέχρι να ολοκληρωθεί το όλο μυθιστόρημα. Ο Τζ. Ρ. Ρ. Μάρτιν είχε την μικρότερη συμβολή στην δημιουργία της ιστορίας, αλλά φυσικά σαν όνομα είναι μεγαλύτερο, οπότε λογικό είναι να μπαίνει πρώτο-πρώτο στο εξώφυλλο και με μεγαλύτερα γράμματα. Πουλάει περισσότερο ο τύπος, πως να το κάνουμε. Όμως και οι άλλοι δυο συγγραφείς είναι πολύ καλά ονόματα στο είδος του Φανταστικού.
Λοιπόν, στα της ιστορίας τώρα: Πρωταγωνιστής είναι ο Ραμόν Εσπέχο -πολίτης της Ντιέγκοταουν του απομακρυσμένου πλανήτη Σάο Πάουλο-, ένας μπρουτάλ τύπος, που απλά και μόνο αν τον στραβοκοιτάξεις, μπορεί να σου σπάσει τα δόντια. Αν, μάλιστα, είναι μεθυσμένος, τότε την έχεις πολύ άσχημα. Ε, ο Ραμόν θα μπλέξει σ'έναν κλασικό καβγά έξω από κάποιο παρακμιακό μπαρ και θα σκοτώσει έναν άντρα. Αυτός ο άντρας τυχαίνει να είναι αξιωματούχος. Ο Ραμόν, που δουλεύει σαν ελεύθερος επαγγελματίας στον χώρο της ανίχνευσης κοιτασμάτων, την κοπανάει από την πόλη, μέχρι να ηρεμήσουν τα πράγματα. Χάνεται στην φύση, που τόσο πολύ γουστάρει. Ελευθερία, αυτονομία, ησυχία. Και ευκαιρία για να βρει κάποια μεγάλη φλέβα που θα τον κάνει πλούσιο. Έλα όμως που αντί για φλέβα κοιτασμάτων θα ανακαλύψει μια υπερεξελιγμένη φυλή εξωγήινων, που ζουν χωμένοι σ'ένα βουνό, όντας φυγάδες και στόχος των Ινάι, κάποιων ιδιαίτερα αυταρχικών και αποκρουστικών εξωγήινων που ελέγχουν τις διάφορες αποικίες. Ο Ραμόν θα μπλέξει σε μια πραγματικά τρομερή περιπέτεια και θα έχει να αντιμετωπίσει τόσο εχθρικούς προς αυτόν εξωγήινους, όσο και τον ίδιο τον εαυτό του...
Μεγαλούτσικη περίληψη, αλλά δεν γινόταν αλλιώς. Λοιπόν, έχουμε να κάνουμε με μια πραγματικά απολαυστική, χορταστική και άκρως ψυχαγωγική περιπέτεια επιστημονικής φαντασίας, με μια εξαιρετικά ενδιαφέρουσα κεντρική ιδέα (αν και ίσως λιγάκι τραβηγμένη), πάρα μα πάρα πολλή δράση και ένταση, πολλά γαμάτα σκηνικά, ορισμένες ωραίες ανατροπές σε διάφορα σημεία της πλοκής, και τρομερή ατμόσφαιρα. Ο πρωταγωνιστικός χαρακτήρας μου φάνηκε αρκετά συμπαθής, παρόλο που πρόκειται για καθίκι ολκής. Ο καημενούλης αντιμετώπισε απίστευτες καταστάσεις, είναι να μην συμπάσχεις μαζί του; Όσον αφορά την γραφή, μου φάνηκε πολύ καλή, ευκολοδιάβαστη και ξεκούραστη, με ωραίες περιγραφές των τοπίων και των διαφόρων σκηνών δράσης.
Γενικά πρόκειται για ένα απολαυστικό μυθιστόρημα επιστημονικής φαντασίας, που το μόνο σίγουρο είναι ότι θα αρπάξει τον αναγνώστη από τον γιακά και θα τον σύρει σ'έναν άλλο κόσμο, γεμάτο δράση και φαντασία. Εντάξει, η όλη κοσμοπλασία μπορεί να έχει τα θεματάκια της σε ορισμένα σημεία και γενικά να μην έχει το βάθος που θα μπορούσε να έχει, και επίσης το τέλος να μην είναι και τόσο φοβερό από κάποια άποψη, όπως και να το κάνουμε όμως, το βιβλίο προσφέρει μπόλικη ψυχαγωγία. Προσωπικά το καταχάρηκα και το προτείνω στους λάτρεις των περιπετειών φαντασίας. Σίγουρα θα ξεφύγετε για λίγες ώρες.
Λοιπόν, στα της ιστορίας τώρα: Πρωταγωνιστής είναι ο Ραμόν Εσπέχο -πολίτης της Ντιέγκοταουν του απομακρυσμένου πλανήτη Σάο Πάουλο-, ένας μπρουτάλ τύπος, που απλά και μόνο αν τον στραβοκοιτάξεις, μπορεί να σου σπάσει τα δόντια. Αν, μάλιστα, είναι μεθυσμένος, τότε την έχεις πολύ άσχημα. Ε, ο Ραμόν θα μπλέξει σ'έναν κλασικό καβγά έξω από κάποιο παρακμιακό μπαρ και θα σκοτώσει έναν άντρα. Αυτός ο άντρας τυχαίνει να είναι αξιωματούχος. Ο Ραμόν, που δουλεύει σαν ελεύθερος επαγγελματίας στον χώρο της ανίχνευσης κοιτασμάτων, την κοπανάει από την πόλη, μέχρι να ηρεμήσουν τα πράγματα. Χάνεται στην φύση, που τόσο πολύ γουστάρει. Ελευθερία, αυτονομία, ησυχία. Και ευκαιρία για να βρει κάποια μεγάλη φλέβα που θα τον κάνει πλούσιο. Έλα όμως που αντί για φλέβα κοιτασμάτων θα ανακαλύψει μια υπερεξελιγμένη φυλή εξωγήινων, που ζουν χωμένοι σ'ένα βουνό, όντας φυγάδες και στόχος των Ινάι, κάποιων ιδιαίτερα αυταρχικών και αποκρουστικών εξωγήινων που ελέγχουν τις διάφορες αποικίες. Ο Ραμόν θα μπλέξει σε μια πραγματικά τρομερή περιπέτεια και θα έχει να αντιμετωπίσει τόσο εχθρικούς προς αυτόν εξωγήινους, όσο και τον ίδιο τον εαυτό του...
Μεγαλούτσικη περίληψη, αλλά δεν γινόταν αλλιώς. Λοιπόν, έχουμε να κάνουμε με μια πραγματικά απολαυστική, χορταστική και άκρως ψυχαγωγική περιπέτεια επιστημονικής φαντασίας, με μια εξαιρετικά ενδιαφέρουσα κεντρική ιδέα (αν και ίσως λιγάκι τραβηγμένη), πάρα μα πάρα πολλή δράση και ένταση, πολλά γαμάτα σκηνικά, ορισμένες ωραίες ανατροπές σε διάφορα σημεία της πλοκής, και τρομερή ατμόσφαιρα. Ο πρωταγωνιστικός χαρακτήρας μου φάνηκε αρκετά συμπαθής, παρόλο που πρόκειται για καθίκι ολκής. Ο καημενούλης αντιμετώπισε απίστευτες καταστάσεις, είναι να μην συμπάσχεις μαζί του; Όσον αφορά την γραφή, μου φάνηκε πολύ καλή, ευκολοδιάβαστη και ξεκούραστη, με ωραίες περιγραφές των τοπίων και των διαφόρων σκηνών δράσης.
Γενικά πρόκειται για ένα απολαυστικό μυθιστόρημα επιστημονικής φαντασίας, που το μόνο σίγουρο είναι ότι θα αρπάξει τον αναγνώστη από τον γιακά και θα τον σύρει σ'έναν άλλο κόσμο, γεμάτο δράση και φαντασία. Εντάξει, η όλη κοσμοπλασία μπορεί να έχει τα θεματάκια της σε ορισμένα σημεία και γενικά να μην έχει το βάθος που θα μπορούσε να έχει, και επίσης το τέλος να μην είναι και τόσο φοβερό από κάποια άποψη, όπως και να το κάνουμε όμως, το βιβλίο προσφέρει μπόλικη ψυχαγωγία. Προσωπικά το καταχάρηκα και το προτείνω στους λάτρεις των περιπετειών φαντασίας. Σίγουρα θα ξεφύγετε για λίγες ώρες.
May 2, 2015
Seiklusjutu formaati asetatud arutlus inimeseks olemisest, lojaalsusest, identiteedist ja muust põnevast. Ehk täpsemalt lugu ühest latiinopätist, kes läbi erinevate fantaasiarikaste kohumiste õpib paremini mõistma ennast ja oma kohta maailmas ning muutub läbi selle paremaks inimeseks. Ma tean, et selline kirjeldus ei kõla kõige tõmbavamalt aga tegelikult on need erinevad "kohtumised" tulnukate ja iseendaga koopiaga vägagi teravalt kirja pandud ning mõnuga loetavad. Ka looduskirjeldused tasuvad esiletõsmist, näiteks olid mäeall elavate tulnukate kirjeldused sedavõrd mõnusalt võõrikud ja abstraktsed, et tõid pidevalt silme ette Zdzislaw Beksinski kõhedaid maale. Väärt ulmeteos, mida võib julgelt soovitada.
November 6, 2011
I don't know how much Martin contributed to this book (I haven't read the other two authors), but if he ever finishes his current fantasy series, he might do well as a sci-fi writer. Far from being another space opera, Hunter's Run is written in a gritty, Hemingway-esque style that builds psychological drama on top of simple scenes involving one or two characters. It also includes some aliens who really are rather alien, and the writing's pretty effective for sci-fi.
The story would work a bit better if the protagonist wasn't so unlikable at the outset, or at least had a few more facets to his personality, but, if the reader manages to get past that and a somewhat plodding man-versus-alien sequence, the book rewards with a taut, gripping second half. And the hero does become more empathetic. Not a flawless work of science fiction, but a very good one, and worth checking out if you're a fan of the genre or of George RR Martin.
The story would work a bit better if the protagonist wasn't so unlikable at the outset, or at least had a few more facets to his personality, but, if the reader manages to get past that and a somewhat plodding man-versus-alien sequence, the book rewards with a taut, gripping second half. And the hero does become more empathetic. Not a flawless work of science fiction, but a very good one, and worth checking out if you're a fan of the genre or of George RR Martin.
May 12, 2022
Nur aufgrund des guten Twists gibt es solide 3 Sterne.
Furchtbarer Charakter. Säuft, mordet und schlägt seine Freundin. Sie ihn auch. Was für Zustände 🙄 Außerdem scheint Martin nie ohne Sex und vulgärer Sprache auszukommen. Ich störe mich an sowas ja nicht, mir ist es nur aufgefallen.
Wenn man die ersten knapp 100 Seiten übersteht, dann war es ganz nett.
Furchtbarer Charakter. Säuft, mordet und schlägt seine Freundin. Sie ihn auch. Was für Zustände 🙄 Außerdem scheint Martin nie ohne Sex und vulgärer Sprache auszukommen. Ich störe mich an sowas ja nicht, mir ist es nur aufgefallen.
Wenn man die ersten knapp 100 Seiten übersteht, dann war es ganz nett.
May 4, 2025
The afterword of this book states “a good idea demands its due” and I have to ask: is the good idea in the room with us? This is my third attempt at reading George R. R. Martin and the only time I haven’t DNFd him. So, congrats? Though I only finished it because 1) I paid money for this book and 2) Daniel Abraham is one of the authors.
The book follows an unlikable character with a world building that I didn’t find super accessible, limited, and uninteresting. Abraham’s Kithamar series is incredible and even though it follows unlikable characters, they’re fascinating. Here, I found Ramón Espejo to be a caricature of an insecure macho man who punches before thinking, curses a lot, and has the intelligence of a rotten egg.
Elena (his girlfriend/fuckbuddy/whatever) describes him pretty accurately: “Big macho guy like you doesn't need any help, eh? I know you, Ramón Espejo. I know you better than you do! You're not so tough.”
The book has a pretty cool twist involving an alien and “Ramón” which was a nice moment. But that’s it. Otherwise, I just hated the main character, the pace was slow, and I couldn’t be bothered with trying to understand the world cuz it sucked ✨
Sorry, Dan.
Best bit:
"Speaking of needs and flowing," Ramón said, "I got to piss."
"That will do," Maneck said. "Begin by achieving piss."
Ramón smiled.
"You stay here, then, I'll go achieve piss."
"I will observe," Maneck said
"You want to watch me piss?"
"We are to explore the banks which bound the man's possible channels. If this task is a necessity of his being, then I will understand it."
The book follows an unlikable character with a world building that I didn’t find super accessible, limited, and uninteresting. Abraham’s Kithamar series is incredible and even though it follows unlikable characters, they’re fascinating. Here, I found Ramón Espejo to be a caricature of an insecure macho man who punches before thinking, curses a lot, and has the intelligence of a rotten egg.
Elena (his girlfriend/fuckbuddy/whatever) describes him pretty accurately: “Big macho guy like you doesn't need any help, eh? I know you, Ramón Espejo. I know you better than you do! You're not so tough.”
The book has a pretty cool twist involving an alien and “Ramón” which was a nice moment. But that’s it. Otherwise, I just hated the main character, the pace was slow, and I couldn’t be bothered with trying to understand the world cuz it sucked ✨
Sorry, Dan.
Best bit:
"Speaking of needs and flowing," Ramón said, "I got to piss."
"That will do," Maneck said. "Begin by achieving piss."
Ramón smiled.
"You stay here, then, I'll go achieve piss."
"I will observe," Maneck said
"You want to watch me piss?"
"We are to explore the banks which bound the man's possible channels. If this task is a necessity of his being, then I will understand it."
May 27, 2021
Τολμηρό & διασκεδαστικό με μεγάλες δόσεις αγωνίας και τρόμου.
August 23, 2011
A character study of first encounter between human and alien - a blend of sci-fi and psychological drama, a great plot and overall great story that left me thinking of it long afterwards.
It now sits among my books as one of the most interesting tales with a sci-fi element.
I noticed most reviewers on here openly disliked the main protagonist, and true enough, he is portrayed as quite the anti-hero, an unpleasant character and someone you'd rather never hang out with. And all the better for it, for who says we need to even like the character we read about?
It now sits among my books as one of the most interesting tales with a sci-fi element.
I noticed most reviewers on here openly disliked the main protagonist, and true enough, he is portrayed as quite the anti-hero, an unpleasant character and someone you'd rather never hang out with. And all the better for it, for who says we need to even like the character we read about?
September 5, 2011
[7/10] Solid adventure in the beginning with some good riffs later in the story on the themes of identity, responsibility for your own actions and morality. A little bland in style for the first chapters, but short enough and interesting enough in the later developments. The afterword and the end interviews do a good job of explaining why it needed 3 authors and 30 years to come to print.
It could be said to share some elements with Enemy Mine and with Left Hand of Darkness
It could be said to share some elements with Enemy Mine and with Left Hand of Darkness
August 25, 2017
Endlich habe ich dieses Buch beendet!
Bis Seite 120 war es echt eine reine Qual und ich war super kurz davor, dieses Buch abzurechnen. Zum Glück tat ich es nicht!
Dank eines Plottwists ist es sooo viel besser geworden und ich habe die Geschichte verstanden, die Charaktere waren mir näher und alles war einfach besser.
Hin und wieder gab es kleine Einwürfe über die man wirklich wirklich länger nachdenken sollte und das verlieh dem Buch eine gewisse Tiefe.
Mega hohe Spannung darf man jetzt aber auch nicht erwarten!
Rezension folgt 💟
Bis Seite 120 war es echt eine reine Qual und ich war super kurz davor, dieses Buch abzurechnen. Zum Glück tat ich es nicht!
Dank eines Plottwists ist es sooo viel besser geworden und ich habe die Geschichte verstanden, die Charaktere waren mir näher und alles war einfach besser.
Hin und wieder gab es kleine Einwürfe über die man wirklich wirklich länger nachdenken sollte und das verlieh dem Buch eine gewisse Tiefe.
Mega hohe Spannung darf man jetzt aber auch nicht erwarten!
Rezension folgt 💟
May 14, 2010
George R.R. Martin is quite possibly one of the greatest fantasy/science fiction writers of our time, and his name is what prompted me to read this book. I found it while investigating a different title by co-author Daniel Abraham.
Summary (vague spoilers) at my blog.
To popular culture, this book doesn't have much going for it. It's science fiction, the premise is hokey, and the characters aren't sympathetic. Did I mention it's science fiction? Give it some credit, though. Where other than scifi can a badass face off against himself? Ramón Espejo is quite a character. He's mean, violent, sneaky, foulmouthed, and more than a little sociopathic, and the entire book is about him. The character development is slow, kicking in maybe halfway through the book, and it's not exactly subtle. What's interesting is the way that you can see the clone developing alongside the human who is unchanging.
The writing in the book is really good. There isn't unnecessary development or description; everything is to the point, moving the plot at a good pace. The writing is not artistic, but allows you to sink into the reality of Sao Paulo. The plot, while somewhat hard to swallow from outside, is really well handled. There's a small amount of set-up at the beginning of the novel, but just enough to get you into the plot and introduce the players. The only real "complaint" I might make is that the scifi elements are rather weak. There's no deep discussions of fancy technology, no battles through the depths of space, and the world is really quite like our own. However, all of this just allows the reader to focus more on the concepts being presented. Weighty matters like self and identity come up for a rare appearance in a scifi novel. The hokey elements are handled delicately enough that you don't even realize they're hokey while you're reading. By the end of the book, I found myself cheering for the unlikeable Ramón. The book is a well-contained novel that doesn't leave you hanging or really even wanting much more from the story.
Summary (vague spoilers) at my blog.
To popular culture, this book doesn't have much going for it. It's science fiction, the premise is hokey, and the characters aren't sympathetic. Did I mention it's science fiction? Give it some credit, though. Where other than scifi can a badass face off against himself? Ramón Espejo is quite a character. He's mean, violent, sneaky, foulmouthed, and more than a little sociopathic, and the entire book is about him. The character development is slow, kicking in maybe halfway through the book, and it's not exactly subtle. What's interesting is the way that you can see the clone developing alongside the human who is unchanging.
The writing in the book is really good. There isn't unnecessary development or description; everything is to the point, moving the plot at a good pace. The writing is not artistic, but allows you to sink into the reality of Sao Paulo. The plot, while somewhat hard to swallow from outside, is really well handled. There's a small amount of set-up at the beginning of the novel, but just enough to get you into the plot and introduce the players. The only real "complaint" I might make is that the scifi elements are rather weak. There's no deep discussions of fancy technology, no battles through the depths of space, and the world is really quite like our own. However, all of this just allows the reader to focus more on the concepts being presented. Weighty matters like self and identity come up for a rare appearance in a scifi novel. The hokey elements are handled delicately enough that you don't even realize they're hokey while you're reading. By the end of the book, I found myself cheering for the unlikeable Ramón. The book is a well-contained novel that doesn't leave you hanging or really even wanting much more from the story.
August 7, 2017
Esta é uma história escrita a três mãos. Pode parecer confuso para você, caro leitor, mas vou tentar resumir tudo rapidamente. Gardner Dozois, um tradicional editor de coletâneas de ficção de gênero e amigo de George R.R. Martin tinha uma ideia para uma história lá no começo dos anos 80. Porém, após ver o manuscrito ele achava que a história não estava boa e pediu a seu amigo Martin que desse uma olhada no original e tentasse ajudá-lo a finalizar a história. Martin se debruçou sobre o projeto, deu seu toque pessoal, mas também não foi capaz de finalizar e ambos acabaram por engavetar a história. Décadas mais tarde, Martin apresenta o manuscrito a Daniel Abraham (autor que junto com Ty Franck formam o pseudônimo James S.A. Corey, autor de Leviatã Desperta) e este fica encantado com a história. Com a ajuda de Abraham eles finalmente conseguem finalizar o manuscrito e publicam Caçador em Fuga. Uma história que parece mais uma novela.
Trabalhos escritos a várias mãos são animais complexos. Representam uma roleta russa: podem dar algo incrível como Leviatã Desperta e toda a série The Expanse ou podem dar algo ruim e truncado. Caçador em Fuga se situa no meio dessas duas instâncias. Em um trabalho coletivo, é importante eliminar as individualidades para favorecer a coesão. A ideia principal é que o leitor não seja capaz de identificar a escrita dos autores. Só que neste caso aqui eu fui capaz de identificar o estilo do Martin. Está presente na maneira como o personagem fala, na descrição dos cenários e até mesmo no cinismo inerente à sua psiquê. É o melhor do livro, mas ao mesmo tempo prejudica a proposta coletiva da obra.
A escrita é um pouco pesada. Senti isso na dificuldade que eu tive para terminar o livro. Peguei o livro achando que se trataria de uma narrativa mais dinâmica devido à própria temática da obra, mas me enganei um pouco. Os autores rumaram para algo mais reflexivo e cerebral com vários trechos marcados por fluxo de pensamento. Interessante que a justificativa para esses trechos são memórias vivenciadas pelo protagonista que se fundem com outras e causam uma certa confusão mental. Esses "flashbacks" servem para compor as motivações do personagem. A narrativa é em terceira pessoa, mais aproximada de Ramón. Ou seja existe todo um trabalho de escrita para que o leitor se apegue ao protagonista e eu acho que nesse sentido os autores foram muito bem sucedidos. Apesar das minhas críticas, no geral o livro é muito bem escrito, com um bom encadeamento de palavras. Só me incomodou esses momentos mais reflexivos que acabam tomando boa parte da leitura. Entendo que estes momentos visavam trabalhar a temática da história, mas eu senti que estamos diante de um livro mais de ideias do que de ação. E não foi isso o que eu entendi em um primeiro momento.
O trabalho com os personagens, sem dúvida alguma, é o melhor do livro. Eles são muito vívidos e somos capazes de imaginar a realidade de Villa Diego com sua sujeira e podridão diante de uma exploração feita por alienígenas que possuem seus próprios objetivos. Mesmo o livro sendo focado em Ramón e Maneck, o começo da história faz uma construção muito competente sobre tudo o que cerca o personagem. Nesse sentido o leitor é capaz de ouvir toda a atmosfera de colônia, com seus bares, trabalhos cotidianos e vidas que seguem apesar da história que é contada mais para a frente. Parece que a narrativa é tão introspectiva que o mundo continua a funcionar mesmo sem o protagonista por perto. E eu adoro isso. Ramón não precisava ser O Herói, O Escolhido, O Salvador do Universo. O protagonista é tão interessante pelo simples fato de ele ser um simples minerador que está tocando a sua vida. Se mete em algumas enrascadas que podem mudar tudo naquela colônia, mas escolhe ser egoísta. Essa é a marca do Martin. Ele não constrói personagens heróicos, mas sim humanos. Cada um de nós seria capaz de se colocar no lugar de Ramón e talvez fazer as mesmas escolhas.
Já as raças alienígenas que são citadas na história (salvo uma) pouco ou nada interferem no desenvolvimento da narrativa principal. Os Enye agem como um catalisador, mas o foco mesmo é na fuga de Ramón. Isso é o que eu mais gostei também na construção de personagens e narrativa. Os autores não se dispersam demais em uma apresentação de mundo que pode levar capítulos e mais capítulos. Alguns elementos de construção de mundo até aparecem vez por outra, mas somente quando são necessários para a história. Outros personagens também só são acionados quando necessário: Elena, o interesse romântico de Ramón (sua paixão caliente), Griego e seu ferro-velho, o bar de Mikel. Até mesmo alguns personagens do passado de Ramón são explorados, mas, novamente, apenas se possuem algo para contribuir para o aprofundamento dos objetivos e motivações do protagonista.
A temática da história é o que forma a nossa personalidade. Quem somos? Somos o resultado de nossas experiências ou há algo químico por trás de nossa formação? Sem dar spoilers da trama, Ramón passa boa parte da trama questionando suas escolhas de vida. Aliás, uma das grandes dúvidas levantadas pelo protagonista e que aparece logo no começo da história é o que o levou a matar o europeu no bar e ocasionou todo o resto das mais de 290 páginas. Por que ele pegou uma faca e rasgou o pendejo? A experiência que ele tem na floresta precisando realizar uma caçada mortal faz com que ele passe a refletir sobre seus problemas e seu lugar no mundo.
A mudança que se configura no personagem é perceptível. Toda a experiência que ele passa como fugitivo e depois precisando realizar uma caçada humana transforma as concepções que ele tem sobre si mesmo. Ele passa a reavaliar as suas opções. Esse crescimento do personagem é algo impressionante que chega a interferir no final da história. Caçador em Fuga é um manual sobre como trabalhar um personagem e como essa evolução pode afetar o desenvolvimento da narrativa.
Os capítulos são bem espaçados tornando a história bem fluida. Minha reclamação ficou no peso da pena dos autores. Achei que as coisas passavam bem devagar para mim. Pelo que eu pude perceber os autores adotaram uma estrutura em três atos sendo que a apresentação é a primeira parte, depois temos dois trechos espelhados em que caçador e caça alternam lugares formando o desenvolvimento e o último trecho é a conclusão. O clímax da história eu achei também meio estranho e a passagem não me soou tão emocionante quanto deveria ser. Acabou sendo mais um encerramento de plots do que propriamente um desfecho per se.
Caçador em Fuga é um bom livro de ficção científica. Escrito de maneira competente apesar de que conseguimos identificar um dos autores, é uma história que merece a sua atenção. Em alguns momentos a ação corre em alta velocidade, em outros a gente é apresentado a momentos bastante reflexivos. A temática abordada é o de quem somos e se somos moldados pelas escolhas que fazemos. Essa temática é aprofundada através do desenvolvimento da psiquê do protagonista. Como uma das poucas obras de ficção científica lançada esse ano que é mais recente, você tem que comprar esse título.
Trabalhos escritos a várias mãos são animais complexos. Representam uma roleta russa: podem dar algo incrível como Leviatã Desperta e toda a série The Expanse ou podem dar algo ruim e truncado. Caçador em Fuga se situa no meio dessas duas instâncias. Em um trabalho coletivo, é importante eliminar as individualidades para favorecer a coesão. A ideia principal é que o leitor não seja capaz de identificar a escrita dos autores. Só que neste caso aqui eu fui capaz de identificar o estilo do Martin. Está presente na maneira como o personagem fala, na descrição dos cenários e até mesmo no cinismo inerente à sua psiquê. É o melhor do livro, mas ao mesmo tempo prejudica a proposta coletiva da obra.
A escrita é um pouco pesada. Senti isso na dificuldade que eu tive para terminar o livro. Peguei o livro achando que se trataria de uma narrativa mais dinâmica devido à própria temática da obra, mas me enganei um pouco. Os autores rumaram para algo mais reflexivo e cerebral com vários trechos marcados por fluxo de pensamento. Interessante que a justificativa para esses trechos são memórias vivenciadas pelo protagonista que se fundem com outras e causam uma certa confusão mental. Esses "flashbacks" servem para compor as motivações do personagem. A narrativa é em terceira pessoa, mais aproximada de Ramón. Ou seja existe todo um trabalho de escrita para que o leitor se apegue ao protagonista e eu acho que nesse sentido os autores foram muito bem sucedidos. Apesar das minhas críticas, no geral o livro é muito bem escrito, com um bom encadeamento de palavras. Só me incomodou esses momentos mais reflexivos que acabam tomando boa parte da leitura. Entendo que estes momentos visavam trabalhar a temática da história, mas eu senti que estamos diante de um livro mais de ideias do que de ação. E não foi isso o que eu entendi em um primeiro momento.
O trabalho com os personagens, sem dúvida alguma, é o melhor do livro. Eles são muito vívidos e somos capazes de imaginar a realidade de Villa Diego com sua sujeira e podridão diante de uma exploração feita por alienígenas que possuem seus próprios objetivos. Mesmo o livro sendo focado em Ramón e Maneck, o começo da história faz uma construção muito competente sobre tudo o que cerca o personagem. Nesse sentido o leitor é capaz de ouvir toda a atmosfera de colônia, com seus bares, trabalhos cotidianos e vidas que seguem apesar da história que é contada mais para a frente. Parece que a narrativa é tão introspectiva que o mundo continua a funcionar mesmo sem o protagonista por perto. E eu adoro isso. Ramón não precisava ser O Herói, O Escolhido, O Salvador do Universo. O protagonista é tão interessante pelo simples fato de ele ser um simples minerador que está tocando a sua vida. Se mete em algumas enrascadas que podem mudar tudo naquela colônia, mas escolhe ser egoísta. Essa é a marca do Martin. Ele não constrói personagens heróicos, mas sim humanos. Cada um de nós seria capaz de se colocar no lugar de Ramón e talvez fazer as mesmas escolhas.
Já as raças alienígenas que são citadas na história (salvo uma) pouco ou nada interferem no desenvolvimento da narrativa principal. Os Enye agem como um catalisador, mas o foco mesmo é na fuga de Ramón. Isso é o que eu mais gostei também na construção de personagens e narrativa. Os autores não se dispersam demais em uma apresentação de mundo que pode levar capítulos e mais capítulos. Alguns elementos de construção de mundo até aparecem vez por outra, mas somente quando são necessários para a história. Outros personagens também só são acionados quando necessário: Elena, o interesse romântico de Ramón (sua paixão caliente), Griego e seu ferro-velho, o bar de Mikel. Até mesmo alguns personagens do passado de Ramón são explorados, mas, novamente, apenas se possuem algo para contribuir para o aprofundamento dos objetivos e motivações do protagonista.
A temática da história é o que forma a nossa personalidade. Quem somos? Somos o resultado de nossas experiências ou há algo químico por trás de nossa formação? Sem dar spoilers da trama, Ramón passa boa parte da trama questionando suas escolhas de vida. Aliás, uma das grandes dúvidas levantadas pelo protagonista e que aparece logo no começo da história é o que o levou a matar o europeu no bar e ocasionou todo o resto das mais de 290 páginas. Por que ele pegou uma faca e rasgou o pendejo? A experiência que ele tem na floresta precisando realizar uma caçada mortal faz com que ele passe a refletir sobre seus problemas e seu lugar no mundo.
A mudança que se configura no personagem é perceptível. Toda a experiência que ele passa como fugitivo e depois precisando realizar uma caçada humana transforma as concepções que ele tem sobre si mesmo. Ele passa a reavaliar as suas opções. Esse crescimento do personagem é algo impressionante que chega a interferir no final da história. Caçador em Fuga é um manual sobre como trabalhar um personagem e como essa evolução pode afetar o desenvolvimento da narrativa.
Os capítulos são bem espaçados tornando a história bem fluida. Minha reclamação ficou no peso da pena dos autores. Achei que as coisas passavam bem devagar para mim. Pelo que eu pude perceber os autores adotaram uma estrutura em três atos sendo que a apresentação é a primeira parte, depois temos dois trechos espelhados em que caçador e caça alternam lugares formando o desenvolvimento e o último trecho é a conclusão. O clímax da história eu achei também meio estranho e a passagem não me soou tão emocionante quanto deveria ser. Acabou sendo mais um encerramento de plots do que propriamente um desfecho per se.
Caçador em Fuga é um bom livro de ficção científica. Escrito de maneira competente apesar de que conseguimos identificar um dos autores, é uma história que merece a sua atenção. Em alguns momentos a ação corre em alta velocidade, em outros a gente é apresentado a momentos bastante reflexivos. A temática abordada é o de quem somos e se somos moldados pelas escolhas que fazemos. Essa temática é aprofundada através do desenvolvimento da psiquê do protagonista. Como uma das poucas obras de ficção científica lançada esse ano que é mais recente, você tem que comprar esse título.
September 15, 2008
4.0 stars. Good, solid SF story. The book includes nice world-building featuring original aliens and a well thought put back-sotry. The main character is very interesting (if not very likeable) and there is good, quality action. All and all, a quick enjoyable read.
September 25, 2016
За моя голяма изненада, доста интересна фантастика. Новият стил на някои автори да се фокусират върху хората и техните преживявания и изграждането на сложни образи като основа на разказа (за разлика от старите фентъзита които фокусират върху събития) доста ми допада.
July 12, 2024
Άλλος ένας Martin που σε κάνει να μη μπορείς να αφήσεις το βιβλίο από τα χέρια σου! Εδώ έχουμε μια ψυχολογική αλληγορία επιστημονικής φαντασίας με φιλοσοφικές προεκτάσεις!
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Αρχικά, πιστεύω πως η δύναμη αυτού του βιβλίου βρίσκεται στις λεπτομέρειες των περιγραφών. Η ιστορία διαδραματίζεται στον πλανήτη Sao Paulo, στον οποίο έχουν αποικήσει οι άνθρωποι συνυπάρχοντας με εξωγήινα όντα πανίδας και χλωρίδας. Κοιτάμε στον ουρανό και βλέπουμε τα τέραστια ιπτάμενα σαλάχια. Μετά, περπατώντας ανάμεσα στις τεράστιες παγόδες του δάσους, συναντάμε τις σαλτακρίδες, τις μικρές πηθικοειδείς σαύρες και αν πεινάσουμε, θα ψάξουμε για γλυκοσκάθαρα. Αν είμαστε άτυχοι, μπορεί να πέσουμε πάνω σε κανένα τσουπακάμπρα· ένα τερατώδες αιλουροειδές που σε διαμελεί με τα σουβλερά του δόντια και φεύγεις σαν ψέμα🥲 Ακόμα και αν δεν θα τα θυμάμαι σε λίγο καιρό, είναι ακριβώς αυτά που σε βάζουν στην ατμόσφαιρα! Οι συγγραφείς του βιβλίου έκαναν τρομερή δουλειά στο να σε μεταφέρουν εκεί που θέλουν!
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Τωρα, όσον αφορά το ψυχογραφικό κομμάτι του πρωταγωνιστή μας, έχει γίνει αριστοτεχνική δουλειά! Για να μη σας τα πολυλογώ, έχουμε έναν τύπο που συναντιέται με κάτι που του είναι μετά βίας κατανοητό και αυτή η συνάντηση τον αλλάζει, με τρόπο που τον κάνει να είναι πιο κοντά στον αυθεντικό εαυτό του (που δεν είναι κ ο καλύτερος δυνατός) !
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Μια συναρπαστική περιπέτεια με πληθώρα σκηνών που σου κόβουν την ανάσα!
Αν και δεν ήμουν ποτέ φαν της επιστημονικής φαντασίας με διάστημα, εξωγήινους, ζωή σε άλλους πλανήτες κτλ, ο Martin και η παρέα του με έκαναν να θέλω να διαβάσω περισσότερα από το είδος αυτό!
🧛🏻♀️
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Αρχικά, πιστεύω πως η δύναμη αυτού του βιβλίου βρίσκεται στις λεπτομέρειες των περιγραφών. Η ιστορία διαδραματίζεται στον πλανήτη Sao Paulo, στον οποίο έχουν αποικήσει οι άνθρωποι συνυπάρχοντας με εξωγήινα όντα πανίδας και χλωρίδας. Κοιτάμε στον ουρανό και βλέπουμε τα τέραστια ιπτάμενα σαλάχια. Μετά, περπατώντας ανάμεσα στις τεράστιες παγόδες του δάσους, συναντάμε τις σαλτακρίδες, τις μικρές πηθικοειδείς σαύρες και αν πεινάσουμε, θα ψάξουμε για γλυκοσκάθαρα. Αν είμαστε άτυχοι, μπορεί να πέσουμε πάνω σε κανένα τσουπακάμπρα· ένα τερατώδες αιλουροειδές που σε διαμελεί με τα σουβλερά του δόντια και φεύγεις σαν ψέμα🥲 Ακόμα και αν δεν θα τα θυμάμαι σε λίγο καιρό, είναι ακριβώς αυτά που σε βάζουν στην ατμόσφαιρα! Οι συγγραφείς του βιβλίου έκαναν τρομερή δουλειά στο να σε μεταφέρουν εκεί που θέλουν!
🪐
Τωρα, όσον αφορά το ψυχογραφικό κομμάτι του πρωταγωνιστή μας, έχει γίνει αριστοτεχνική δουλειά! Για να μη σας τα πολυλογώ, έχουμε έναν τύπο που συναντιέται με κάτι που του είναι μετά βίας κατανοητό και αυτή η συνάντηση τον αλλάζει, με τρόπο που τον κάνει να είναι πιο κοντά στον αυθεντικό εαυτό του (που δεν είναι κ ο καλύτερος δυνατός) !
🪐
Μια συναρπαστική περιπέτεια με πληθώρα σκηνών που σου κόβουν την ανάσα!
Αν και δεν ήμουν ποτέ φαν της επιστημονικής φαντασίας με διάστημα, εξωγήινους, ζωή σε άλλους πλανήτες κτλ, ο Martin και η παρέα του με έκαναν να θέλω να διαβάσω περισσότερα από το είδος αυτό!
🧛🏻♀️
January 10, 2021
Dieser SF-Roman hat mich begeistert. Auf den nur rund 350 Seiten passiert unglaublich viel und die Story ist dabei sehr spannend gestaltet. In den Aufbau der Welt wurde nicht viel investiert und trotzdem versprühen einige Orte eine gewisse Magie und es wirkt alles sehr stimmig.
Die große Stärke lag aber im Ideenreichtum der Erzählung. Die Autoren haben es geschafft immer wieder für überraschende Momente zu sorgen, die im Nachhinein folgerichtig wirken.
Die große Stärke lag aber im Ideenreichtum der Erzählung. Die Autoren haben es geschafft immer wieder für überraschende Momente zu sorgen, die im Nachhinein folgerichtig wirken.
August 30, 2008
This is another book that I bought based solely on who wrote it. I love Martin and Abraham is also a great writer, though I had never heard of Dozois prior to this. I didn't know what I would think, but I enjoyed it thoroughly. Hunter's Run has action, drama, humor and bizarre aliens; just about all you could ask for in a great sci-fi book. Is it a masterpiece? I still can't quite decide...
My favorite part of this book is what most reviewers seem to dislike the most: the main character. Ramon Espejo is a pretty despicable human being. He's a murderer and a criminal, but I'll be damned if he doesn't provide an entertaining point of view. Maybe I've gotten to the point where I've read too much typical fiction with do-gooder protagonists that an a**hole is just what I needed. And even if he is an a**hole, he is funny and has some great dialogue, especially with his travelling companion/captor (who for the sake of not spoiling, I will not reveal here.) And as the story progresses, even though he is still sort of despicable, he does have an epiphany of sorts that changes him as a person. On the basis of how he thought and how he acted, his decisions were believable and I thought his progression as a character was really well done.
The actual story, which I can't speak much on because I'd give it away, is also well done. It is a nice tight plot that flows well from start to finish. There is some good action and some crazy situations, but given the circumstances, there is nothing unbelievable. By the end of Hunter's Run, I was left a little disappointed that it had ended but in no way dissatisfied with the ending. There are no loose ends and it is its own complete story.
This really teeters on the edge between a 4 star and a 5 star book. I'd have to say I'll give it 4.5 stars and curse goodreads for not having a more intricate rating system. Pretty much the only reason I gave it 4 and not 5 is that considering the prose of Martin and Abraham, the writing could have been better. Don't get me wrong, the writing isn't bad, it's just not on par with Song of Ice and Fire or Abraham's very eloquent style in the Long Price Quartet. Toward the beginning of the story, the writing seemed a little lazy and hurried, like there were more details that could have been included. But as the story progressed and the main character began to develop, the writing almost seemed to get better, so perhaps all of this was intended. The same can almost be said about the story itself. It's rare that the reader actually wants more time to be spent in the development of the characters and setting before the story really gets started, but I felt at the beginning it moved a little too quickly. Once the story gets moving however, I forgot all about that. I think the only other thing that keeps it out of 5 star territory is that it's not quite as grand nor the scope quite as great as some of the books that I consider 5 star.
I'd really be interested to know how three authors actually piece together a book like this, what the writing process is. (Okay, so let's take a drunken a-hole down on his luck, a backwater prospecting planet, and some really bizarre aliens... go!) In any case, the outcome is great. Despite my somewhat indecisive misgivings, I'd recommend this book to any sci-fi fan.
My favorite part of this book is what most reviewers seem to dislike the most: the main character. Ramon Espejo is a pretty despicable human being. He's a murderer and a criminal, but I'll be damned if he doesn't provide an entertaining point of view. Maybe I've gotten to the point where I've read too much typical fiction with do-gooder protagonists that an a**hole is just what I needed. And even if he is an a**hole, he is funny and has some great dialogue, especially with his travelling companion/captor (who for the sake of not spoiling, I will not reveal here.) And as the story progresses, even though he is still sort of despicable, he does have an epiphany of sorts that changes him as a person. On the basis of how he thought and how he acted, his decisions were believable and I thought his progression as a character was really well done.
The actual story, which I can't speak much on because I'd give it away, is also well done. It is a nice tight plot that flows well from start to finish. There is some good action and some crazy situations, but given the circumstances, there is nothing unbelievable. By the end of Hunter's Run, I was left a little disappointed that it had ended but in no way dissatisfied with the ending. There are no loose ends and it is its own complete story.
This really teeters on the edge between a 4 star and a 5 star book. I'd have to say I'll give it 4.5 stars and curse goodreads for not having a more intricate rating system. Pretty much the only reason I gave it 4 and not 5 is that considering the prose of Martin and Abraham, the writing could have been better. Don't get me wrong, the writing isn't bad, it's just not on par with Song of Ice and Fire or Abraham's very eloquent style in the Long Price Quartet. Toward the beginning of the story, the writing seemed a little lazy and hurried, like there were more details that could have been included. But as the story progressed and the main character began to develop, the writing almost seemed to get better, so perhaps all of this was intended. The same can almost be said about the story itself. It's rare that the reader actually wants more time to be spent in the development of the characters and setting before the story really gets started, but I felt at the beginning it moved a little too quickly. Once the story gets moving however, I forgot all about that. I think the only other thing that keeps it out of 5 star territory is that it's not quite as grand nor the scope quite as great as some of the books that I consider 5 star.
I'd really be interested to know how three authors actually piece together a book like this, what the writing process is. (Okay, so let's take a drunken a-hole down on his luck, a backwater prospecting planet, and some really bizarre aliens... go!) In any case, the outcome is great. Despite my somewhat indecisive misgivings, I'd recommend this book to any sci-fi fan.
January 6, 2020
Ya me decidí en la cantidad de estrellas.
4 🌟
Es un libro que se escaba de lo que esperaba y me gustó demasiado. Si les gusta la ciencia ficción tienen que leerlo. La reseña la subí ayer al canal💕
4 🌟
Es un libro que se escaba de lo que esperaba y me gustó demasiado. Si les gusta la ciencia ficción tienen que leerlo. La reseña la subí ayer al canal💕
June 30, 2022
Really really good, I am blown away by how one can love and hate the main character. Amazing world, unbelievable adventure and some great philosophical questions about humanity.
did-not-finish
June 16, 2019DNFed on page 14. Not interested in the main character, and his misogyny is just too much.
May 20, 2019
Anything I say here would be a spoiler, so just a few words: I enjoyed this story with Ramon, one bad-ass pendajo, with a crazy-bitch of a girlfriend. aliens on the hunt, deadly another-world creatures, and an unlikely friendship, or is it?
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