Reviews

Sphere by Michael Crichton

raptorimperator's review against another edition

5.0

My favorite Crichton novel.

sudoankit's review against another edition

2.0

After reading Andromeda Strain by Micheal Crichton I was yearning for more Crichton. I'm in academia and I love science. I loved the science behind Andromeda Strain, the simple clear writing and the mystery that make the pages turn fast.

I picked Sphere to be my second Crichton — to quench my thirst for a simple, good science/horror fiction for an 8 hour journey I had ahead.

Minor spoilers below — you have been warned.

Spoiler

Sphere disappoints. It starts great, builds up the tension and plummets hard to the deep bottom of the ocean. Few good twists sadly don't make up for the dull, uninspired ending. The story is more about philosophy and ethics rather that science. You don't have the cold chill you do while you read Andromeda Strain.

It's boring, uninspired, predictable and ultimately a letdown.

I'm sorry Micheal — the ending was extremely unsatisfying and it just ruined the book for me. I don't want to invest in a book that will let me down at the end.

You're left broken after working hard for something you want to achieve and feel. Frankly Sphere should get a score equal to the top eye view (2D) of a sphere but I'm feeling you and your concerns so
I'll give it 2/5 — a point for the first half, few good jokes and another for the concern of mental stability and fears.

itsyogirl's review against another edition

mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

drewdietsch's review against another edition

4.0

A taut bit of sci-fi horror that hits all the notes you'd expect from Crichton. I'm probably the only person on the planet who thinks the movie is better.

joran88's review

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

linseyhermsen's review against another edition

3.0

Bit weird but fine

accordingtobri's review against another edition

4.0

My brain hurts

sjrissolo's review against another edition

3.0

3.5 stars

nickharbour's review against another edition

mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

jadedmirror's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

I really liked this book. I felt like it could have gone in a lot of different directions. The plot had a lot of potential, I do wish

we would have actually learned about the sphere's origins and more about the history of the ship

. That's probably part of what makes it so interesting though, the intrigue. 

I unfortunately watched the movie before reading the book which spoiled it a little for me, but it was still enjoyable. 

The last page of book made me think,

did Beth actually choose to forget? I kinda think not