andy_hird's review
2.0
This was a quick read, but that's not always a good thing. The story basically kept my interest but only because I looked past various failings like overly convenient plot devices, lack of decent character development (after a certain point early in the story), and a fuzzy story arc.
fancybone's review
2.0
Not their best work. I feel like I can spot the parts that Pohl wrote, because a lot of the descriptions of what's happening off-earth reminds me of the Gateway books.
There was just too much happening off-stage. Bledsoe was introduced, then ignored, then mentioned a few times, and finally written out of the plot with barely a nod in his general direction. Huge parts of the interaction with the aliens were skipped, and the ending - where the stranger comes to visit Ranjit and tells him Humanity's new responsibility comes totally out of left field.
I would definitely not recommend this to someone as an introduction to either Pohl or Clarke; they've written much better novels, and probably will again.
There was just too much happening off-stage. Bledsoe was introduced, then ignored, then mentioned a few times, and finally written out of the plot with barely a nod in his general direction. Huge parts of the interaction with the aliens were skipped, and the ending - where the stranger comes to visit Ranjit and tells him Humanity's new responsibility comes totally out of left field.
I would definitely not recommend this to someone as an introduction to either Pohl or Clarke; they've written much better novels, and probably will again.
thomcat's review
3.0
It is more apparent that this book has two authors than other collaborations I have read. I enjoyed the story of the Sri Lankan mathematician, and probably tolerated more math language than others would have. The back story of galactic aliens was interesting, but might have fit better in a few large chunks instead of being spread throughout. It was hard not to envision the small aliens as coming from Douglas Adams. Overall a decent collaboration and story.
erikars's review
2.0
This was an interesting piece of fiction which managed to meander around plot lines without really settling on one. Little was extraneous (for every time I said "why did they tell us that?" I later said "ah, that's why"), but much was contrived. An interesting read if you want to read reflections on society, life, science, and technology woven into a narrative form, but not necessarily a good story.
g2pro's review against another edition
2.0
Two great authors, one horrible book. The book goes on and on about nothing and has little to do with the main story.
katejones's review
4.0
(I don't usually read SciFi)
I really liked the stark contrast between the solid mathematics and science, and then every once in a while - surprise, life in outer space!
Slightly abrupt ending, but I enjoyed reading this scientific romance story.
I really liked the stark contrast between the solid mathematics and science, and then every once in a while - surprise, life in outer space!
Slightly abrupt ending, but I enjoyed reading this scientific romance story.
zzazazz's review
3.0
Not the best book by Clarke I have ever read and a couple of times I almost put it down. Fortunately there are several passages, mostly about number theory, that are gripping in the way that is unique to those old science fiction masters like Clark, Asimov and Heinlein.
denshann22's review against another edition
1.0
I am greatly disappointed in this book. I've read several novels by Arthur C. Clarke either alone or written with a co-author and always enjoyed them. However, I'm not really sure what the purpose of this one was. Nothing really ever happened. It was almost like a biography. It basically told the life story of Rajeet, and although there were some interesting things that happened, it didn't feel like there were some grand plan or purpose that he was to over come. Most books build to one obstacle or trial for a character to take on and defeat, but he just went about his life and either triumphed or didn't. Yeah, there was an alien armada on it's way to destroy Earth, but even that was anti-climactic. Even those parts with the aliens felt cartoon-ish and didn't really feel like they meshed with the rest of the story. I'm not writing this to criticize or tear down the authors, just to say I was greatly disappointed. I was hoping for so much more.