maninthebox's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
intensej's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5 stars
The sequel to Michael Crichton's The Andromeda Strain, originally published in 1969. Some aspects of this book are similar to the first book, but it doesn't feel 100% like Michael Crichton's voice. I enjoyed the unique characters who are part of Team Wildfire, but I thought that this book was lacking something that is difficult to describe. The suspense, mystery, and intrigue are all there. However, some of the science and realism in this book seemed hard to understand and impossible. Kline using a microchip in her brain to control machines on the ISS? I don't buy it. Nonetheless, this book was a good way for Michael Crichton fans to come full circle if they enjoyed The Andromeda Strain.
Spoiler: James Stone is the baby who survived the first Andromeda infection in Piedmont, Arizona. (I will admit, I did not see this coming.)
The sequel to Michael Crichton's The Andromeda Strain, originally published in 1969. Some aspects of this book are similar to the first book, but it doesn't feel 100% like Michael Crichton's voice. I enjoyed the unique characters who are part of Team Wildfire, but I thought that this book was lacking something that is difficult to describe. The suspense, mystery, and intrigue are all there. However, some of the science and realism in this book seemed hard to understand and impossible. Kline using a microchip in her brain to control machines on the ISS? I don't buy it. Nonetheless, this book was a good way for Michael Crichton fans to come full circle if they enjoyed The Andromeda Strain.
Spoiler: James Stone is the baby who survived the first Andromeda infection in Piedmont, Arizona. (I will admit, I did not see this coming.)
moosalamoo_rnnr's review against another edition
1.0
Space Cowboys is funny because you know itпїЅпїЅпїЅs totally ridiculous and it also knows that it is ridiculous. This book is awful because it is totally ridiculous but doesnпїЅпїЅпїЅt even realize it. ItпїЅпїЅпїЅs pretentious, implausible, and completely over the top. The пїЅпїЅпїЅscienceпїЅпїЅпїЅ is more пїЅпїЅпїЅfictionпїЅпїЅпїЅ than actual science. The characters are also completely unsympathetic, save for two. By about halfway through I was hoping that AS-3 would just wipe out the whole planet. ItпїЅпїЅпїЅs a shame because I really liked the original book and thought that Crichton was a genius in the way that he used his science brain and actual facts to bui
mapboy's review against another edition
3.0
Quick read, with a couple of grey areas in the plot. But still along the same lines as Crichton.
txaggie2016's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
3.75
racheljohnson16's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
freddy7's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
readmore's review
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-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
lebolt's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Immediately after reading: 4.5! Wow, a true thrill! Convincing execution of science themes, with enough fantastic imagination to make it wonderful fiction. I devoured it in one sitting. Justice to the master of techno thrillers!
The next day: 3.75 - Still good! But not as amazing as I initially felt it was. Upon reflection, I think it goes from "great" to "good" because of some of its more overused tropes, general predictability, and lack of any true novelty. I think following up a Crichton work is a real challenge, as he was a pioneer and many of the things he introduced us to are now familiar and taken for granted. I do appreciate that this author added some diversity (even if it was stereotyping) and modernity (even if it is not really cutting edge). I appreciate the main two twists and the heartwarming all-American themes (especially in the ending). Very Bruce-Willis-Armageddon-reminiscent. I enjoyed it a lot, but I think the pacing of a typical thriller is covering for some of this book's missing ingenuity. All in all, I liked it because it was solid Crichton fan-service.
The next day: 3.75 - Still good! But not as amazing as I initially felt it was. Upon reflection, I think it goes from "great" to "good" because of some of its more overused tropes, general predictability, and lack of any true novelty. I think following up a Crichton work is a real challenge, as he was a pioneer and many of the things he introduced us to are now familiar and taken for granted. I do appreciate that this author added some diversity (even if it was stereotyping) and modernity (even if it is not really cutting edge). I appreciate the main two twists and the heartwarming all-American themes (especially in the ending). Very Bruce-Willis-Armageddon-reminiscent. I enjoyed it a lot, but I think the pacing of a typical thriller is covering for some of this book's missing ingenuity. All in all, I liked it because it was solid Crichton fan-service.