The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! š
amurph'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
luisvilla's review against another edition
3.0
The detective story ages pretty well, but basically nothing else here does.
ronitjauthor's review against another edition
4.0
4.5/5
It always feels odd to review books like these. On one hand, theyāre so old that you need to remind yourself these books were written in a different era, yet on the other hand, they stand strong with their envisioning of the future; they both reinforce traditional views yet introduce strikingly modern ideas.
Asimov does a fantastic job in creating the world of Solaria. He almost makes you want to live there. But then he introduces the problems that this Outer World is deeply entrenched in, making you wonder if thatās supposed to be a warning of a bleak future for humanity. Yet, somehow, despite the dystopia lying behind the curtain, there is hope. All the individual ideas and concepts that Asimov introduces are but lessons that we can learn from and improve upon before implementing them in life. In that sense, this book is a 5/5.
Then why have I given it a 4.5? Itās the same flaws that many of Asimovās books have. In this book particularly for me, it was the two-dimensional characters and the expertly set up mystery with an underwhelming payoff. Donāt get me wrong, I understand this is speculative fiction, and itās meant to be about the what-ifs. However, the ending did seem underwhelming, especially the double-whammy twist that felt a tad bit unnecessary. The resolution to the mystery couldāve been more interesting.
If this were a regular murder mystery, Iād probably give it a 3. But itās an Asimov Robots novel, and his mind-blowing world-building with strong themes that tie in with the narrative perfectly is what elevates this book into a 4.5.
TL;DR
WHAT I LIKED: world-building, themes, leaves you pondering over its ideas and themes
WHAT I DIDNāT LIKE: two-dimensional characters, lack of emotional grounding, underwhelming reveal
It always feels odd to review books like these. On one hand, theyāre so old that you need to remind yourself these books were written in a different era, yet on the other hand, they stand strong with their envisioning of the future; they both reinforce traditional views yet introduce strikingly modern ideas.
Asimov does a fantastic job in creating the world of Solaria. He almost makes you want to live there. But then he introduces the problems that this Outer World is deeply entrenched in, making you wonder if thatās supposed to be a warning of a bleak future for humanity. Yet, somehow, despite the dystopia lying behind the curtain, there is hope. All the individual ideas and concepts that Asimov introduces are but lessons that we can learn from and improve upon before implementing them in life. In that sense, this book is a 5/5.
Then why have I given it a 4.5? Itās the same flaws that many of Asimovās books have. In this book particularly for me, it was the two-dimensional characters and the expertly set up mystery with an underwhelming payoff. Donāt get me wrong, I understand this is speculative fiction, and itās meant to be about the what-ifs. However, the ending did seem underwhelming, especially the double-whammy twist that felt a tad bit unnecessary. The resolution to the mystery couldāve been more interesting.
If this were a regular murder mystery, Iād probably give it a 3. But itās an Asimov Robots novel, and his mind-blowing world-building with strong themes that tie in with the narrative perfectly is what elevates this book into a 4.5.
TL;DR
WHAT I LIKED: world-building, themes, leaves you pondering over its ideas and themes
WHAT I DIDNāT LIKE: two-dimensional characters, lack of emotional grounding, underwhelming reveal
jimmybrewster's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
sharkalanche's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
concretefem's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Well, I do not enjoy Asimovās police procedural novels as much as the foundation series, I like the glimmers and cross references to other novels throughout, as well as the moments of sociological insight that make Asimovās work such a timeless study of human kind. I continue to be astonished by the breath of his writings, and the extent to which he succeeded and telling coherent stories across the universes and timelines. His contributions to the canon are truly formidable.
readymadereader's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
straker's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0