rokinjaguar's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
So close to being five stars, but the felt half-baked. If that had been done well it would be a total five stars. Very clever book, great characters, very affecting. I feel like I should be unsatisfied with the ending, but the writing and development were so good that I accept it.
Spoiler
romance with NikSpoiler
The mystery wasn’t fully solved, but Mac and Brymn’s story was explored and resolved, and at the end of the day that’s what the book was about. I’ll miss him terribly.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Genocide, Body horror, Death, and Grief
Minor: Medical content and Vomit
jzacsh's review against another edition
4.0
Fun read! Listened to the audiobook, and it was fast paced, action packed, and the universe was really interesting.
js_warren's review against another edition
4.0
I had no idea what this book was about, but I definitely didn't expect it to begin with wild salmon research. Wikipedia says Czerneda's a "biologist" without providing further details, but judging by the first third or so of the book, I'd guess that she's done a bit of fieldwork in her day.
Regardless, "Survival" is sci-fi through a biological lens, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The story's primary alien species, the Dhryn, are humanoid, but emphasis on the -oid. There are a fair number of major morphological differences between them and humans, and those differences inform the Dhryn's behavior and personality. Heck, it even affects their architecture. As a bio-nerd, I appreciated that attention to detail.
My one criticism is that Czerneda sometimes skimps on details of the events occurring in the book. I can think of at least three instances where something relatively major begins happening, and then suddenly the story cuts to the aftermath of said major event. (Imagine Indian Jones opening and descending into the Well of Souls, the snake reveal, and then the story cutting to him and Marion escaping. That'd be weird, right?) I don't so much mind the lack of action as I do the lack of clarity that results, but perhaps the intent is to leave the reader as befuddled as the protagonist? Not sure, but there were times when it detracted from my enjoyment.
Overall, though, I enjoyed this book quite a bit, and definitely plan to read the rest of the trilogy, as well as her other work.
Regardless, "Survival" is sci-fi through a biological lens, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The story's primary alien species, the Dhryn, are humanoid, but emphasis on the -oid. There are a fair number of major morphological differences between them and humans, and those differences inform the Dhryn's behavior and personality. Heck, it even affects their architecture. As a bio-nerd, I appreciated that attention to detail.
My one criticism is that Czerneda sometimes skimps on details of the events occurring in the book. I can think of at least three instances where something relatively major begins happening, and then suddenly the story cuts to the aftermath of said major event. (Imagine Indian Jones opening and descending into the Well of Souls, the snake reveal, and then the story cutting to him and Marion escaping. That'd be weird, right?) I don't so much mind the lack of action as I do the lack of clarity that results, but perhaps the intent is to leave the reader as befuddled as the protagonist? Not sure, but there were times when it detracted from my enjoyment.
Overall, though, I enjoyed this book quite a bit, and definitely plan to read the rest of the trilogy, as well as her other work.
davylandman's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement and Kidnapping
vasha's review against another edition
2.0
This review refers to the entire Species Imperative trilogy. The series was at best mildly entertaining. The premise was promising but not developed in depth; there were neither great characters (though the heroine was impressively courageous at points) nor great writing.
lilwinning's review against another edition
4.0
overall, I enjoyed this book... I think. there are a couple plot points I didn't enjoy, some things I wanted more or less of, and the ending is not my favorite. BUT still very enjoyable and who knows, i might even pick up the second one at some point. i mean probably not but.. maybe.
cindywho's review against another edition
4.0
Mackenzie is a scientist, studying diversity in salmon on a nature reserve on an Earth at least a few hundred years in the future, when the masses have been moved to the industrial colonies. She'd never considered leaving, until a crazy friend and a friendly alien ask for her help in figuring out a deadly mystery far away. Yay for a fun mystery/adventure set in a hopeful future, full of aliens and space travel.
eandrews80's review against another edition
4.0
In the near future, Mackenzie Connor is a biologist who researches salmon in the Pacific Northwest. When Brymn, an alien archaeologist, pays a visit to her research facility, upheaval ensues -- a friend goes missing, romance blossoms, and an attack by a terrifying, invisible alien race sends Mac off-world to Brymn's home planet.
Though the pace can be frustratingly slow, the effort is well worth it. Mac's first encounters with new species and planets are absolutely fascinating; as a biologist, she confronts her new surroundings with scientific curiosity rather than abject fear. Czerneda's careful writing weaves together themes of survival, war, and biological imperatives that make this more than just a book about aliens and space wars.
I'm so glad this is the first in a trilogy, because I don't want to say goodbye to Mac or the Dhryn anytime soon.
Though the pace can be frustratingly slow, the effort is well worth it. Mac's first encounters with new species and planets are absolutely fascinating; as a biologist, she confronts her new surroundings with scientific curiosity rather than abject fear. Czerneda's careful writing weaves together themes of survival, war, and biological imperatives that make this more than just a book about aliens and space wars.
I'm so glad this is the first in a trilogy, because I don't want to say goodbye to Mac or the Dhryn anytime soon.
ianmandt's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5