arhgee's review against another edition
5.0
Really enjoyed this sequel. The Quantum Evolution books hearken back to the post-human genre popular in the 2000s and the Afro-futurism of Alastair Reynolds. Would recommend.
bhagestedt's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
bee26's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
3.25
funkycide's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
medium-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
3.25
corrompido's review against another edition
2.0
I thought that this book dropped off from the first one. The first one followed a classic heist structure. I enjoyed that this book picked up almost directly after the action of the first one, and while it had a good hook and a strong ending the middle part of the story was a bit fragmented and unsatisfying.
gotoboston's review against another edition
5.0
This book is a trip. Quantum mechanics and time travel. Plus con artists and thieves. What's not to love?
Truthfully, these books are dense. The science is heavy. I don't know if it's accurate but it sounds really good. My basic understanding of physics is based off documentaries and college intro classes so I'm not an expert. But as a fan of good literature, I find it's not always important to be accurate. If you can spin it successful to feel believable than that's more than enough.
Plus, these books are pretty fast paced. A lot happens quickly and the explanation if quantum mechanics and science are dispersed throughout the book smoothly enough that it's not overwhelming. Though if a lot of heavy science topics aren't your thing than this book probably won't be for you. Science features heavily and most of the plot hinges on physics theories and quantum mechanics.
Truthfully, these books are dense. The science is heavy. I don't know if it's accurate but it sounds really good. My basic understanding of physics is based off documentaries and college intro classes so I'm not an expert. But as a fan of good literature, I find it's not always important to be accurate. If you can spin it successful to feel believable than that's more than enough.
Plus, these books are pretty fast paced. A lot happens quickly and the explanation if quantum mechanics and science are dispersed throughout the book smoothly enough that it's not overwhelming. Though if a lot of heavy science topics aren't your thing than this book probably won't be for you. Science features heavily and most of the plot hinges on physics theories and quantum mechanics.
trackofwords's review against another edition
4.0
Having pulled off the con of a lifetime and escaped with the time gates, Belisarius and Cassie are quickly thrown back into danger when the lives of the entire homo quantus population are threatened. Enlisting the sceptical assistance of Colonel Iekanjika and risking an irreparable paradox, they put the time gates to hazardous use and travel back in time to search for answers in the history of the Sixth Expeditionary Force, while the implacable Scarecrow dogs them every step of the way.
It’s a more straightforward and accessible story than The Quantum Magician, but a more personal one too. With much of the groundwork already laid, Künsken digs deeper into the characters, including the consistently scene-stealing, foul-mouthed but strangely endearing Stills, while the conflicting viewpoints of Belisarius and Iekanjika offer a satisfying exploration of both political and ethical questions alongside the science and the general adventure. Anyone who enjoyed the first book should find plenty to savour here, and after two books all the signs are that this is a series which is going to keep getting better and better.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2019/09/16/the-quantum-garden-derek-kunsken/
It’s a more straightforward and accessible story than The Quantum Magician, but a more personal one too. With much of the groundwork already laid, Künsken digs deeper into the characters, including the consistently scene-stealing, foul-mouthed but strangely endearing Stills, while the conflicting viewpoints of Belisarius and Iekanjika offer a satisfying exploration of both political and ethical questions alongside the science and the general adventure. Anyone who enjoyed the first book should find plenty to savour here, and after two books all the signs are that this is a series which is going to keep getting better and better.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2019/09/16/the-quantum-garden-derek-kunsken/
danlewisfw's review against another edition
5.0
If you are a fan of hard sci-fi this will be very pleasing to you! I am so happy to have found this author. This book deserves 10 stars instead of five. This belongs on the list of must read science fiction books.
thessilian's review against another edition
5.0
I need to open by saying I’ve read the first book in the series so I have no idea how well this book stands up on its own. There is a lot of elaborate worldbuilding from the opening never mind the many interesting concepts that start out the gate. Still, as a sequel, it works.
I enjoyed the pure heisty-ness of the first book and this one doesn’t disappoint either offering a fun political plot with many spy thriller twists and turns. The characters are complex, the humans, the aliens, the AI – the plants!
It’s fun hard sci fi with a unique twist and very memorable characters. Looking forward to the next book!
I enjoyed the pure heisty-ness of the first book and this one doesn’t disappoint either offering a fun political plot with many spy thriller twists and turns. The characters are complex, the humans, the aliens, the AI – the plants!
It’s fun hard sci fi with a unique twist and very memorable characters. Looking forward to the next book!
jephers's review against another edition
5.0
Loved loved loved this book - almost as much as the first. Deep. Makes you think, and question things. I love the world-building, and the alien life forms mentioned.
With both this book and The Quantum Magician I kept feeling like I'd come into a series/universe on like the second or third book - there's just so much depth that seems to already be there. I just found out the author has previously written stories in the same universe, only they're in short story/novella format. Unfortunately, none are on audible, which is how I consume all my scifi/fantasy content these days.
I have to say that by NOT reading the books I constantly find myself wondering how the characters' names are spelled. Interesting.
I also REAAAALLY missed Marie in this book. She was so much fun in the first book.
And I don't know if I would have enjoyed these books as much if I'd read them. Yes, they're great, but at the same time, T Ryder Smith gives them all SO much personality... My internal reading voice wouldn't do them justice like he does.
While these days I find myself avoiding more series because some just seem to go on too long, I hope there will be more books in this series.
With both this book and The Quantum Magician I kept feeling like I'd come into a series/universe on like the second or third book - there's just so much depth that seems to already be there. I just found out the author has previously written stories in the same universe, only they're in short story/novella format. Unfortunately, none are on audible, which is how I consume all my scifi/fantasy content these days.
I have to say that by NOT reading the books I constantly find myself wondering how the characters' names are spelled. Interesting.
I also REAAAALLY missed Marie in this book. She was so much fun in the first book.
And I don't know if I would have enjoyed these books as much if I'd read them. Yes, they're great, but at the same time, T Ryder Smith gives them all SO much personality... My internal reading voice wouldn't do them justice like he does.
While these days I find myself avoiding more series because some just seem to go on too long, I hope there will be more books in this series.