hovancik's review against another edition
4.0
Really great read, enjoyed the conversations of the characters a lot (but won't pretend that I understood everything). As a huge fan of Dune series, I could not help myself but see some similar stuff in this book, feeling like they are in the same universe.
wispy_reviews's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Some of the best Sci-Fi novels are thinly veiled excuses for the author to talk to themselves about philosophy for X-hundred pages.
One of Herbert’s greatest works in my opinion. His wariness of technology and fear of artificial intelligence is plain to see here, almost like an explanation as to why we don’t see any robots in the Dune series.
While I do believe the aforementioned series is wholly superior to the Pandora sequence (as far as I’ve read at least), Destination: Void hits all the notes I personally want to see in hard science fiction.
One of Herbert’s greatest works in my opinion. His wariness of technology and fear of artificial intelligence is plain to see here, almost like an explanation as to why we don’t see any robots in the Dune series.
While I do believe the aforementioned series is wholly superior to the Pandora sequence (as far as I’ve read at least), Destination: Void hits all the notes I personally want to see in hard science fiction.
1feather4's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
yeagleyreads's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
emsir's review against another edition
3.0
There is a very cool story here... somewhere. It's hiding in all the overly complicated dialogue about computers and consciousness. To quote a friend I somehow convinced to read this book with me- "this book is all science and no fiction!"
quoththegirl's review against another edition
4.0
Obviously he doesn't get amazing points for the title, but the rest of it was quite good. Not mind-blowing, I'm afraid; all of the other Herbert that I've read hasn't quite lived up to the Dune series. I think his talents really lie in worldbuilding because fiddling around with the one we live in just doesn't quite cut it in terms of illustrating his genius. Void was heavy on the science part of science fiction, so much so that I was a bit lost with some of the computer language they were tossing around. The book still had the multi-layered feeling of Dune where you suspect you're only understanding what's going on in the topmost layers, there's so much subtlety winging around in the dialogue. I loved that about Dune, but in this book it was actually a little annoying sometimes. Overall, however, still a very good book.
larsinio's review against another edition
4.0
Another great Herbert book, I come away satisfied. IN this book, Herbert shows off his knowledge of 60s-era computer programming/systems engineering and physiology of the human brain, and religion. As a computer programmer, i particularly enjoyed this novel because its largely around technical problems. Specifically it deals with teh technical problems of building a computer system that mimics human functions. At some points it seems to degrade into a "technobabble" type blather, but it doesnt stay there for long. The solutions to the ongoing technical problems make sense and are bounded at least in some way of real-world concepts.This book is not very long, and a large chunk is dedicated to the solving of these technical problems, so it may not be everyone's cup of tea. I however enjoyed a book about engineering challenges of fictional technology.
I found the universe to be very interesting and well-fleshed out - it felt lived in. I can see why this became the basis of an additional three novels.
Its definitely a herbert book. Characters are thinking about thinking about what the other character is thinking about another character. Everyone is super smart and are the best at what they do. The sense of wonder, that theres a big mysterious universe out there, is also present here.
My only real negative here is that I feel that the character of Prudence is wasted - she doesnt really contribute much to the overall plot. Also the book is a bit short for how big of a scale it is, but theres more in the series for me to (hopefully) enjoy.
I found the universe to be very interesting and well-fleshed out - it felt lived in. I can see why this became the basis of an additional three novels.
Its definitely a herbert book. Characters are thinking about thinking about what the other character is thinking about another character. Everyone is super smart and are the best at what they do. The sense of wonder, that theres a big mysterious universe out there, is also present here.
My only real negative here is that I feel that the character of Prudence is wasted - she doesnt really contribute much to the overall plot. Also the book is a bit short for how big of a scale it is, but theres more in the series for me to (hopefully) enjoy.
ijprest's review against another edition
2.0
Some interesting ideas on the nature of consciousness, but a bit too much techno-babble and the descriptions of computer technology were hilariously outdated.
--- Spoilers Follow ---
My biggest complaint about the book is the ending, which I found extremely implausible.
I fully expected the ship to gain consciousness and become super-intelligent, but in the process it somehow also became omnipotent? Powerful enough to whisk them light-years across space and terraform an entire planet for them in an instant?
I don't buy it.
--- Spoilers Follow ---
My biggest complaint about the book is the ending, which I found extremely implausible.
I fully expected the ship to gain consciousness and become super-intelligent, but in the process it somehow also became omnipotent? Powerful enough to whisk them light-years across space and terraform an entire planet for them in an instant?
I don't buy it.