wetdryvac's review against another edition
5.0
Seemed a bit clumsy at the beginning - I suspect from the author change - but once it got going, it really got going well. Felt on balance by p50 or so.
marcelozanca's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
jtone's review against another edition
3.0
It's a good story, but the sheer number of characters and plot lines is overwhelming.
leons1701's review
2.0
We waited 10 years for this? Weber's weaknesses as an author are on full display here, too much infodumping, not enough actually moving the plot, ridiculously over done foreshadowing, too many minor characters nobody gives a damn about but we're getting a full description of them anyhow (this may be one of the few times I agree with the common complaint about names) and surprised declarations of how important something is that will never be mentioned again in this book. I suppose it could count as a cliffhanger, if it didn't happen halfway through the book. There are some good points, Weber still writes an excellent action scene (this book just needed a few more of them) and does a pretty good job with good people who are stuck on the wrong side (the actual villains are cardboard though).
Not a terrible read, but not something I'd recommend to anyone who isn't a pretty hardcore Weber fan.
Not a terrible read, but not something I'd recommend to anyone who isn't a pretty hardcore Weber fan.
jameseckman's review
2.0
I like the magic versus technology theme but the heroes and villains are so black and white. It also ends on a cliffhanger which given the last book was written nine years ago, is annoying. You must read the previous books, it cannot be read as a standalone.
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