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Can we give Iaiaiain M. Banks some love?
By deleted member · 31 posts · 167 views
By deleted member · 31 posts · 167 views
last updated Oct 20, 2010 06:00AM
What Else Are You Reading? July 2010 Edition
By Veronica , Supreme Sword · 92 posts · 378 views
last updated Nov 07, 2014 08:35PM
What Else Are You Reading - April 2011 Edition
By Veronica , Supreme Sword · 78 posts · 168 views
By Veronica , Supreme Sword · 78 posts · 168 views
last updated Apr 30, 2011 11:57AM
What Else Are You Reading - May 2011 Edition
By terpkristin · 95 posts · 184 views
By terpkristin · 95 posts · 184 views
last updated May 31, 2011 08:27PM
What Else Are You Reading - June 2011 Edition
By Anne · 108 posts · 221 views
By Anne · 108 posts · 221 views
last updated Jul 06, 2011 08:55AM
What Else Are You Reading - July 2011 Edition
By Veronica , Supreme Sword · 97 posts · 326 views
last updated Jul 22, 2017 07:50AM
What Members Thought
I can't really say much, other than Iain Banks has become my #1 favorite Sci-Fi author. I love the way he fleshes out flawed, believable characters in a Space Opera setting. I'm always surprised by his writing, and that keeps me coming back for more. If you're not into the genre, but want to give it a try, pick up this book. You will not regret it!
...more
Not quite sure what to make of this book.
Problems I had with the book: not easy to relate to the protagonist; some graphic descriptions of torture and cannibalism; difficult at times to figure out who is on what side (and whether you should be rooting for them or not).
What it had going for it: sweeping adventure with a variety of aliens, ships, and worlds (which is one of the things most people want in a "space opera").
I think the main message of this book was that war (especially a war of ideol ...more
Problems I had with the book: not easy to relate to the protagonist; some graphic descriptions of torture and cannibalism; difficult at times to figure out who is on what side (and whether you should be rooting for them or not).
What it had going for it: sweeping adventure with a variety of aliens, ships, and worlds (which is one of the things most people want in a "space opera").
I think the main message of this book was that war (especially a war of ideol ...more
unimpressive
There were times when it held promise and times when it presented some interesting concepts. Overall, though, it lacked unity - almost as if it were originally a few short stories of great concepts done halfway and then pieced together using the same characters.
The ending was just drawn-out, flat, and unsatisfying. You kinda cared about the characters, but never really got upset when they died (and lots of them die in this - not really a spoiler in a book about a long, protracted gal ...more
There were times when it held promise and times when it presented some interesting concepts. Overall, though, it lacked unity - almost as if it were originally a few short stories of great concepts done halfway and then pieced together using the same characters.
The ending was just drawn-out, flat, and unsatisfying. You kinda cared about the characters, but never really got upset when they died (and lots of them die in this - not really a spoiler in a book about a long, protracted gal ...more
Considerably less polished than later culture novels, but an unimpressive culture novel is still leagues ahead of most competition.
Wish I could do 3.5 - good story but the ending fell flat...
Nov 21, 2008
Ryan Mac
marked it as to-read
Oct 06, 2010
Vincent Morrison
is currently reading it
Jan 04, 2012
Tanvir Muntasim
marked it as to-read
Jun 23, 2013
Julia
marked it as to-read
Apr 16, 2014
Michaela
marked it as to-read
Dec 17, 2014
Ruben Rodriguez II
marked it as to-read
Mar 30, 2017
Carrie
marked it as to-read
