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mcmanduke's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I wasn't sure if I was going to stick with this series but I'm glad I did. This installment seemed to tie the series together for me. I interpret it as a history more than a saga now. It's refreshing to have characters age, make life mistakes, and even die . Because that's human life. Even sci-fi human life.
As a Death Cafe attendee, I put a lot of thought into mortality and how to live this one life. And this book tapped into all that. So I could see it being a let down for hardcore sci-fi readers.
I loved another reviewer's hypothesis that this was how Lobsang enters Discworld! All of this would make this book a great series finale. I hope they didn't ruin a good thing with another book. Lots of pressure for Long Cosmos.
As a Death Cafe attendee, I put a lot of thought into mortality and how to live this one life. And this book tapped into all that. So I could see it being a let down for hardcore sci-fi readers.
I loved another reviewer's hypothesis that this was how Lobsang enters Discworld! All of this would make this book a great series finale. I hope they didn't ruin a good thing with another book. Lots of pressure for Long Cosmos.
aninnocuousbunny's review against another edition
5.0
Early half was 4/5, but the ending was very fulfilling, which made up for it. Book moved very quickly and is excellent storytelling.
liviblogs's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
dmcke013's review against another edition
2.0
Sigh.
I have yet to read a good Long Earth book.
Which is a pity, because Pratchett was always one of my favourite authors, even if his later works started becoming too serious (perhaps understandably, giving what he went through).
However, having made (slogged) it through the previous three Long Earth books ([b: The Long Earth|13147230|The Long Earth (The Long Earth, #1)|Terry Pratchett|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1335532694s/13147230.jpg|18164154], [b: The Long War|17167572|The Long War (The Long Earth, #2)|Terry Pratchett|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1368422103s/17167572.jpg|21930358] and [b: The Long Mars|18586487|The Long Mars (The Long Earth, #3)|Terry Pratchett|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1397123447s/18586487.jpg|26325671]) I thought I would still give this one a chance: we live in hope, after all!
Unfortunately, and despite occasional flashes of some interesting ideas and plot (mainly connected with the history of Joshua's ancestors and the Steppers of the past), this was still a long, slow and laborious read.
I'm not sure whether Baxter will continue with the series following Pratchett's death earlier this year but if he doesn't, and unlike the Discworld novels, I doubt I'll miss this series that much or be in a hurry to re-read any of them.
I have yet to read a good Long Earth book.
Which is a pity, because Pratchett was always one of my favourite authors, even if his later works started becoming too serious (perhaps understandably, giving what he went through).
However, having made (slogged) it through the previous three Long Earth books ([b: The Long Earth|13147230|The Long Earth (The Long Earth, #1)|Terry Pratchett|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1335532694s/13147230.jpg|18164154], [b: The Long War|17167572|The Long War (The Long Earth, #2)|Terry Pratchett|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1368422103s/17167572.jpg|21930358] and [b: The Long Mars|18586487|The Long Mars (The Long Earth, #3)|Terry Pratchett|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1397123447s/18586487.jpg|26325671]) I thought I would still give this one a chance: we live in hope, after all!
Unfortunately, and despite occasional flashes of some interesting ideas and plot (mainly connected with the history of Joshua's ancestors and the Steppers of the past), this was still a long, slow and laborious read.
I'm not sure whether Baxter will continue with the series following Pratchett's death earlier this year but if he doesn't, and unlike the Discworld novels, I doubt I'll miss this series that much or be in a hurry to re-read any of them.
hayleyg84's review against another edition
4.0
As a huge Terry Pratchett fan I have read the previous books in this series more out of a sense of duty or loyalty to one of my favourite authors rather than a real desire to read each book. I have found the previous books quite flat to the extent that by the time I read the subsequent book I had generally managed to completely forget what happened in the one before. However, I really enjoyed this one and think it may actually be my favourite in the series. Maybe, because the plot was firmly routed in only several locations rather than the focus being on exploring many new landscapes, I found it easier to focus on the story. I also really enjoyed the historical parts of the story. I have no idea whether Baxter plans to continue the series without Pratchett, but if that is the conclusion to the series than I think it is a fitting end.
dominiqueisageek's review against another edition
3.0
I don't know how I feel about this.
It's currently 11:56pm and this has left me with a lot of unanswered questions. Because of the ending, I'm currently having a crisis about mortality and meaning and purpose. Which is never fun.
I enjoyed this book, but I felt like it was very disjointed. It only really seemed to make sense in the last few chapters, and I use the word 'sense' very loosely in this case. I feel like the characters are old and tired of all of this, and I really hope they don't bring the same characters into the last one in the series. I really doubt Joshua will still be adventuring when he is 70.
The whole inbreeding thing made a lot of sense, because there are so many conspiracies around that kind of thing, as well as the ideas of eugenics and getting involved in natural selection.
I think that the series could end here, and most people would be satisfied. I really hope that they don't drag another book out of this idea. I think that they did enough exploring to create an interesting story, but much of the intrigue lies in the mystery and potential.
I'll probably edit this review in the morning, but I just wanted to get my thoughts out.
It's currently 11:56pm and this has left me with a lot of unanswered questions. Because of the ending, I'm currently having a crisis about mortality and meaning and purpose. Which is never fun.
I enjoyed this book, but I felt like it was very disjointed. It only really seemed to make sense in the last few chapters, and I use the word 'sense' very loosely in this case. I feel like the characters are old and tired of all of this, and I really hope they don't bring the same characters into the last one in the series. I really doubt Joshua will still be adventuring when he is 70.
The whole inbreeding thing made a lot of sense, because there are so many conspiracies around that kind of thing, as well as the ideas of eugenics and getting involved in natural selection.
I think that the series could end here, and most people would be satisfied. I really hope that they don't drag another book out of this idea. I think that they did enough exploring to create an interesting story, but much of the intrigue lies in the mystery and potential.
I'll probably edit this review in the morning, but I just wanted to get my thoughts out.
sylw's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
rjea's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25