bookmaekel's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
dhwanix's review against another edition
3.0
This didn't feel like Asimov's usual style and maybe that was a reason too, I didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I would. It dragged on a bit in the beginning and the end. When Dr. Lamont was in the picture, it was all fun and games and the moment he left the scene, it went downhill.
justiceofkalr's review against another edition
2.0
The idea was vaguely interesting, but the story itself was a mess and full of unlikable characters.
crasscasualty's review against another edition
4.0
After building a portal to another dimension through which humanity can receive infinite free energy, a scientist discovers that the use of the portal is eventually going to destroy the sun. He sets out to try to shut down the very thing humanity has come to rely on.
Trust Asimov to write a novel about the importance of effective peer-review. The portal happened because it was not vetted properly, and the Powers That Be would not publish reviews that questioned the science behind it. I love this about Asimov.
This novel presumes at least an elementary understand of physics. It relies so much on an understanding of the laws of the universe that a reader without that understanding would be completely fucking lost. I love this about Asimov.
All the female characters are "intuitive" and all the male characters are "rational". Guess who gets to be the scientist and who gets to the assistant. I hate this about Asimov.
Trust Asimov to write a novel about the importance of effective peer-review. The portal happened because it was not vetted properly, and the Powers That Be would not publish reviews that questioned the science behind it. I love this about Asimov.
This novel presumes at least an elementary understand of physics. It relies so much on an understanding of the laws of the universe that a reader without that understanding would be completely fucking lost. I love this about Asimov.
All the female characters are "intuitive" and all the male characters are "rational". Guess who gets to be the scientist and who gets to the assistant. I hate this about Asimov.
jcollet21's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ngrosky89's review against another edition
4.0
Asimov's theories blow my mind. He manages to create brilliant concepts that sound completely plausible. This book made me wish I had a more in depth knowledge of science and physics, but nothing he explains would truly go over the readers head.
His characters are seem surface level and a little predictable, but I dont feel like this took away from the story at all.
All in all, this was a great story and well worth reading.
His characters are seem surface level and a little predictable, but I dont feel like this took away from the story at all.
All in all, this was a great story and well worth reading.
nighthawk702's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
ailsahatton's review against another edition
4.0
That second part was one of the best sci fi stories I've ever read, but the third part (while still fun) was just a little bit too much like other 60s/70s sci fi (let's get naked and party with aliens and/or on the moon!) and felt like he just decided he need to write a book that sold? Not keen. Sad it ended on that note.
In the end, good but not great, despite the second part feeling like it was written by Ann Leckie in the 2010s rather than some dude in the 70s. So fucking good. Give me 10 novels like that second part please.
In the end, good but not great, despite the second part feeling like it was written by Ann Leckie in the 2010s rather than some dude in the 70s. So fucking good. Give me 10 novels like that second part please.
sonofatreus's review against another edition
4.0
So there are three parts to this book, all revolving around a (virtually) unlimited energy pump. The three stories are on Earth, in the universe joined to Earth via this energy pump, and the Moon.
Of the three, the middle one, about the aliens, is the weakest. This isn't because it's particularly poorly written or poorly conceived. Its problem is rather that it has to spend so much time explaining this totally foreign universe that the story/drama of the pump can sometimes seem forgotten.
The other two, on Earth and the Moon, were interesting in their own ways. The Earth story almost plays like a science-mystery and I quite enjoyed it. The Lunar story has a bit of a love story but also Lunar politics and sociology — both well done.
In terms of the science, which can get heady, it's all accessibly explained. It even has a nice parallel, perhaps unintentionally(?), to climate change and fossil fuel use.
Of the three, the middle one, about the aliens, is the weakest. This isn't because it's particularly poorly written or poorly conceived. Its problem is rather that it has to spend so much time explaining this totally foreign universe that the story/drama of the pump can sometimes seem forgotten.
The other two, on Earth and the Moon, were interesting in their own ways. The Earth story almost plays like a science-mystery and I quite enjoyed it. The Lunar story has a bit of a love story but also Lunar politics and sociology — both well done.
In terms of the science, which can get heady, it's all accessibly explained. It even has a nice parallel, perhaps unintentionally(?), to climate change and fossil fuel use.