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dennisfischman's review
3.0
This is an amazing book, written by someone for whom geological features are as common as streetlights but as wild as the human heart. It's got excursions into information theory and diplomacy, Arab culture and the dynamics of international organizations. It is to The Martian what Les Miserables is to The Bourne Legacy.
At my most charitable, I would say that the characters are engineering types, and just not involved with the issues that interest me. Speaking frankly, I think they're either stereotypes or so flat you can't tell which is which sometimes. I can see why it took me so long to get around to this series, but now that I've started, I will certainly read on.
At my most charitable, I would say that the characters are engineering types, and just not involved with the issues that interest me. Speaking frankly, I think they're either stereotypes or so flat you can't tell which is which sometimes. I can see why it took me so long to get around to this series, but now that I've started, I will certainly read on.
raptornot's review against another edition
5.0
Epic, visionary, yet grounded
A truly remarkable achievement. A compelling, believable saga of a near-future colonisation of Mars, solidly based in science and engineering; an incisive capture of the society-wide tensions between transnational companies, governments and media; a huge story of the dramas of dozens of characters making their way through the difficult first decades of life on Mars.
A truly remarkable achievement. A compelling, believable saga of a near-future colonisation of Mars, solidly based in science and engineering; an incisive capture of the society-wide tensions between transnational companies, governments and media; a huge story of the dramas of dozens of characters making their way through the difficult first decades of life on Mars.
jjpacker's review
4.0
Stunning. Dense at times with some clearly well researched science but an incredible view of space colonization. Always appreciate a book that warns against hyper capitalism as well. Some truly beautiful prose and some unforgettable scenes.
sapphyreskye's review
2.0
Gave up after 4 months of trying to get through it. Of really wishing it to be interesting because I usually love Mars stories. But it was so dull compared to the other sci-fi I like to read. I don't mind hard sci-fi, but without a character or two to care about, and a little fantasy/fun, it was just blah. There are too many on my to-read list to keep wasting time trying to read something that is just not engaging me.
itsjenren's review
3.0
This is a bit of a slow read but it's worth it in the end. Based somewhere in the future, humanity has almost used up Earth's resources therefore the first group send to colonize Mars has a sense of urgency. This is the first in a series of three books and if you like politics, sci-fi and space elevators, then you'll like this one.
mistakenot___'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
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? Yes
4.0
ioang's review
4.0
A brilliant hard sci-fi; it's basically a completely scientifically plausible account of a possibly colonisation of Mars. Robinson has a knack for colouring his characters the bare minimum amount to keep the story ticking over while he explores his bigger themes. In 'The Years of Rice and Salt' this was the rise of civilisation but here it's scientific progress and the social implications of the breaking of a new frontier in an era of globalisation and big business. It's better in the beginning as the colony takes shape, but the pace of change raises nearer the end as the narrative slows down, and the long descriptions of (no doubt accurate) Martian geography grow tiring. For anyone interested in space travel this is great, but can't really be recommended for its story alone.
cav241's review
adventurous
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
mnasadoo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
khristy's review
adventurous
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Writing: it keeps you invested in the story. It’s solid writing.
Plot/character: it’s the story of the first hundred coming to Mars to settle the planet. It spins a little bit of time on the lead up and selection process and then the trip they take on the Aries. Then it focuses on the first hundred and how they establish the first colony. I often felt like I was missing parts of the science, that they needed to be a more in-depth explanation of the terraforming and the building. I felt like there were not enough explanations. But the story is engrossing, and I liked it enough to read the next one.
Profundity: it just really strikes me that it’s mostly about humans being humans. You can take them off earth, but you can’t get rid of all their baggage.
Plot/character: it’s the story of the first hundred coming to Mars to settle the planet. It spins a little bit of time on the lead up and selection process and then the trip they take on the Aries. Then it focuses on the first hundred and how they establish the first colony. I often felt like I was missing parts of the science, that they needed to be a more in-depth explanation of the terraforming and the building. I felt like there were not enough explanations. But the story is engrossing, and I liked it enough to read the next one.
Profundity: it just really strikes me that it’s mostly about humans being humans. You can take them off earth, but you can’t get rid of all their baggage.