I really haven't read any other hard science fiction other than Egan's "Schild's Ladder", so I may be lacking the breadth of experience to identify exI really haven't read any other hard science fiction other than Egan's "Schild's Ladder", so I may be lacking the breadth of experience to identify exemplars in this genre, but Diaspora would seem to be amongst that set. It is really quite a breathtakingly vast, beautiful universe that Egan describes and at a cracking pace which I find more and more desirable of late. As far as I can tell, Egan has a very solid grounding in physics and mathematics, and he uses it with great effect to transport the reader into realms where the interest is primarily in the exotic physics. As a computer scientist I can also appreciate his depiction of some of the more exotic life forms he includes in the story. Some may consider the ending rushed and perhaps anti-climactic but the nihilist in me thought it appropriately provocative. ...more
4 stars, mainly because the source material is so phenomenal, rather than FitzSimons' writing4 stars, mainly because the source material is so phenomenal, rather than FitzSimons' writing...more
The first two thirds of this book sees mostly a return to the compulsive type of reading that the first three books elicited, but was by and large absThe first two thirds of this book sees mostly a return to the compulsive type of reading that the first three books elicited, but was by and large absent from aFfC. Then the chronology synchronises with the ending of that book where Martin loses his way again and the plot stagnates. The last few chapters offer some redemption, but I will still maintain that this and the previous book could still have stood as a single volume with some tighter editing and storytelling....more
A cracking fantasy romp, which for me was very reminiscent of Dune but without the messianic or space opera elements. Martin does not indulge in overwA cracking fantasy romp, which for me was very reminiscent of Dune but without the messianic or space opera elements. Martin does not indulge in overwrought descriptions of landscapes that is often the bane of long fantasy novels, instead focussing on the battles, intrigues, and relationships between protagonists.
I haven’t attempted a fantasy novel since quitting book two of the dire and conceited Wheel of Time series, but this series launches most epically and has single handedly rekindled my interest in the genre....more
A fantastic novelisation of the events that lead to and unfolded in the Battle of Gettysberg. Very emotional and powerful ending, although it is hard A fantastic novelisation of the events that lead to and unfolded in the Battle of Gettysberg. Very emotional and powerful ending, although it is hard to exclude that this may have been greatly enhanced by Stephen Hoye's excellent narration in the audio book version....more
I must have read this book half a dozen times as a kid, and the rating reflects the joy elicited at that age. It is amusing to think of Southall's depI must have read this book half a dozen times as a kid, and the rating reflects the joy elicited at that age. It is amusing to think of Southall's depiction of Martians as actually being considered somewhat plausible in a pre-Mariner mission world....more
I abandoned this book at around the half way mark. The story was really confused, and the writing poor in many places. Maybe it was because of the timI abandoned this book at around the half way mark. The story was really confused, and the writing poor in many places. Maybe it was because of the time of night I was attempting to read it, but this book never really held me at any time....more
Despite ending with what I found to be a philosophical anti-climax, I still enjoyed listening to this book. One of the things that may have worked in Despite ending with what I found to be a philosophical anti-climax, I still enjoyed listening to this book. One of the things that may have worked in the book's favour was being able to listen to Alessandro Juliani's excellent narration, and being able to click off during some of the novel's more grinding historical and academic expositions....more
I’ll be a bit generous with the rating here, only because I think the conclusion of this book saves it. More fantasy than sci-fi, it is clear that YooI’ll be a bit generous with the rating here, only because I think the conclusion of this book saves it. More fantasy than sci-fi, it is clear that Yoon Ha Lee is a promising writer, and he may have the beginnings of a truly exiting and interesting universe with this book. There are some parts that are fairly opaque and cold and there are no great attachments to be formed to anyone other than the protagonist duo, and the more-or-less high fantasy parts can leave you feeling greatly detached from the action itself but there is just enough allure and curiosity here to come back again....more
While probably only of major interest to Trekkies, this is a fascinating peek into the personalities and goings on both in front of and behind the camWhile probably only of major interest to Trekkies, this is a fascinating peek into the personalities and goings on both in front of and behind the camera. The revelation of all the egos, insecurities, talents, constraints, doubts, luck, fickleness, and meddling is riveting and while the book sags a bit when describing the live action hiatus of the '70s, it still doesn't kill off an otherwise delightful read....more
If my slow progress with this book wasn't evidence enough of how mediocre I was finding this novel, then the absolute wall I hit 60% of the way througIf my slow progress with this book wasn't evidence enough of how mediocre I was finding this novel, then the absolute wall I hit 60% of the way through during an interminably boring attempt at constructing political intrigue was more than enough to close the case. I've read similar stories all executed in a much more interesting way by Messrs. Simmons, Banks and Herbert. Perhaps the book wouldn't have been so bad if the writing had at least been engaging....more
Ho hum. Lots of tea parties and I guess something that was meant to resemble intrigue at a slave owner's tea plantation and then some sort of confrontHo hum. Lots of tea parties and I guess something that was meant to resemble intrigue at a slave owner's tea plantation and then some sort of confrontation and crisis on a space station which surprisingly didn't involve tea. There were mushrooms at some point and they were kind of a highlight.
I thought the first book had set the stage for something far more grander but alas that appears to not be the case....more
For all of its faults, I’ve ended up constantly returning to thoughts about this book during the subsequent weeks. Reading the actual known historicalFor all of its faults, I’ve ended up constantly returning to thoughts about this book during the subsequent weeks. Reading the actual known historical detail of the Franklin Expedition has cast Simmons’ work in a new light. I expect that readers who are already familiar with the material may react more positively than I initially did at the book’s conclusion. I'd award it 3.5 stars if I could....more
Gave up on this about 40% in — Malcolm writes a bit like he speaks, and it just isn’t very satisfying reading about all the perfect, extremely very goGave up on this about 40% in — Malcolm writes a bit like he speaks, and it just isn’t very satisfying reading about all the perfect, extremely very good, and never problematic or sub-optimal things that he did. The most interesting parts were his stories of others and his political enemies....more
Not entirely sure why this book has received so many accolades. The first half of the story was very promising, but unfortunately most of my interest Not entirely sure why this book has received so many accolades. The first half of the story was very promising, but unfortunately most of my interest was lost by the end. Earns a third star only because of the relatively novel setting....more
If you are interested in the minutiae of Charles Dickens’ life along with some of his associates and contemporaries this might be a book for you; otheIf you are interested in the minutiae of Charles Dickens’ life along with some of his associates and contemporaries this might be a book for you; otherwise it is a hard slog with very little to redeem it....more
Ultimately I was disappointed by the climax and conclusion; the story did not end up being as clever as Gaiman’s writing. Despite the lacking of depthUltimately I was disappointed by the climax and conclusion; the story did not end up being as clever as Gaiman’s writing. Despite the lacking of depth, I still found this an enjoyable, easy read. ...more
An incredibly erudite, thought provoking and approachable book on evolutionary biology and natural selection; made all the more better, I think, by DaAn incredibly erudite, thought provoking and approachable book on evolutionary biology and natural selection; made all the more better, I think, by Dawkins' narration in the audio version....more
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