eaterofworlds's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
provaprova's review against another edition
3.0
As much as I like the Zones of Thought universe, this drags in the middle, Tine society isn't as interesting second time around, and it doesn't end the storyline.
disastrouspenguin's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
Long. Quite good, the Tines' world is really interesting, and the characters that Vinge built were what really kept me from abandoning the story. Unfortunately, the ending felt a bit half-baked. This series took me a long time to read.
Long. Quite good, the Tines' world is really interesting, and the characters that Vinge built were what really kept me from abandoning the story. Unfortunately, the ending felt a bit half-baked. This series took me a long time to read.
hawkeyegough's review against another edition
3.0
I found the main character to be a little bit painfully naive. Also wished I had heard more from one of the other main characters. General rambliness hurt the pacing, but it's a good read.
elliottback's review against another edition
4.0
If you liked "A Fire Upon the Deep" you won't like the continued GRRM-esque adventure story of the children and the dog-pack-tines. Where's the sweeping space Opera?
dja777's review against another edition
Loved [b:A Deepness in the Sky|226004|A Deepness in the Sky (Zones of Thought, #2)|Vernor Vinge|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1350952749s/226004.jpg|1270006], liked [b:A Fire Upon the Deep|77711|A Fire Upon the Deep|Vernor Vinge|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1333915005s/77711.jpg|1253374], but could NOT make it through this one.
eoghann's review against another edition
4.0
As the much anticipated sequel to the exceptional A Fire Upon the Deep, there are ridiculous levels of expectation about this book.
Not surprisingly it doesn't meet them.
It's actually a rather good story. But while it does take place shortly after the events of A Fire Upon The Deep and it does deal with some of the same covers, it's not really a sequel in the normal sense because it is not only stylistically and thematically different, but it doesn't continue the same story.
Yes there are some references to the Blight and the ending seems to set up a further book that might actually address that story, but this one is all about the Tines and how the remaining humans try to integrate with them.
Taken on its own it's a strong story that explores the complexities of Tine society with their complex pack nature. But there's nothing galactic happening here and that's bound to disappoint some fans.
There are a few weak points however. It's an oddly unemotional book. A lot of events are described from a distance and the only romantic entanglement we experience first hand is probably the most restrained I've ever read.
There's also the problem of the central character being a bit... well dim... purely to make the central conspiracy work.
But I think those weaknesses are outweighed by the Tines, the Choir and an interesting analog to China. Not a classic perhaps but easily worth your time.
Not surprisingly it doesn't meet them.
It's actually a rather good story. But while it does take place shortly after the events of A Fire Upon The Deep and it does deal with some of the same covers, it's not really a sequel in the normal sense because it is not only stylistically and thematically different, but it doesn't continue the same story.
Yes there are some references to the Blight and the ending seems to set up a further book that might actually address that story, but this one is all about the Tines and how the remaining humans try to integrate with them.
Taken on its own it's a strong story that explores the complexities of Tine society with their complex pack nature. But there's nothing galactic happening here and that's bound to disappoint some fans.
There are a few weak points however. It's an oddly unemotional book. A lot of events are described from a distance and the only romantic entanglement we experience first hand is probably the most restrained I've ever read.
There's also the problem of the central character being a bit... well dim... purely to make the central conspiracy work.
But I think those weaknesses are outweighed by the Tines, the Choir and an interesting analog to China. Not a classic perhaps but easily worth your time.
danielmbensen's review against another edition
3.0
On my second attempt to re-read this book, I finished it. The Children of the Sky has two problems: it's not at all the same kind of story as the first two books in its series, and it's not nearly as good. It's trying to be a cozy murder mystery/romance with some bigger things to say about sweat-shops and maybe fake news, but it never gets there. It never says them. There are glimmerings of something great here, but nothing got the development it needed. Based on "Fast Times at Fairmont High" versus Rainbows End, I theorize that Vinge's process is to write the story, then completely rewrite it. I wonder whether with Children of the Sky, we're looking at step one.
furicle's review against another edition
3.0
There are books that never go where you expect. And then there are books that never go where you want them to.
This book is both of those at different times.
First off the obvious - it's a sequel to a personal favourite story that's arguably one of the best sci fi novels ever. And no, it's not any where near as awesome. (They never are).
If you haven't read that book, this one probably won't make much sense, or even convey how wonderful the original was.
This book is a very different kind of story - the original draws the backdrop the new one plays in front of.
The contrast between the two is striking.
This book is so much smaller in scope. It encompasses only a small portion of a single planet rather than most of the Milky Way. There are only a handful of characters, not dozens of groups scattered all over, and instead of millions of civilizations of billions of people dropping like flies, tragedy here is very small scale and personal.
The biggest tragedy might be the weak ending trying desperately to segue into another (as yet unwritten) sequel.
Chunks of it are adventure tale, chunks of it naive politics, there's even a hint of romance here and there. But it's all one thing, then the next, changing jarringly from section to section. Just as I'd get into it, I'd have the rug yanked out again.
It has potential, and it's moments, but ends up falling short of what it could have been.
If you loved A Fire Upon The Deep, pick this up as a return visit to Tines World to fill in some local colour.
For me it's mostly a miss I had a hard time judging on its own merits.
This book is both of those at different times.
First off the obvious - it's a sequel to a personal favourite story that's arguably one of the best sci fi novels ever. And no, it's not any where near as awesome. (They never are).
If you haven't read that book, this one probably won't make much sense, or even convey how wonderful the original was.
This book is a very different kind of story - the original draws the backdrop the new one plays in front of.
The contrast between the two is striking.
This book is so much smaller in scope. It encompasses only a small portion of a single planet rather than most of the Milky Way. There are only a handful of characters, not dozens of groups scattered all over, and instead of millions of civilizations of billions of people dropping like flies, tragedy here is very small scale and personal.
The biggest tragedy might be the weak ending trying desperately to segue into another (as yet unwritten) sequel.
Chunks of it are adventure tale, chunks of it naive politics, there's even a hint of romance here and there. But it's all one thing, then the next, changing jarringly from section to section. Just as I'd get into it, I'd have the rug yanked out again.
It has potential, and it's moments, but ends up falling short of what it could have been.
If you loved A Fire Upon The Deep, pick this up as a return visit to Tines World to fill in some local colour.
For me it's mostly a miss I had a hard time judging on its own merits.
booknerd_therapist's review against another edition
4.0
This is my first experience with Vernor Vinge and his particular style of science fiction. Just so you know: this book is part of his "Zones of Thought" series, and this is book #3. #1 is A Fire Upon the Deep, followed by A Deepness in the Sky as #2. There is also a free Kindle download for "After the Battle on Starship Hill: Prologue to The Children of the Sky." I probably would have enjoyed this book more if I knew I was starting in the middle of a series... but this is what happens when we receive books as gifts I suppose.
Anyway -- his writing style is accessible enough. He uses a wide and varied vocabulary that includes everything from vulgar obscenities to obscure adjectives most people have never heard of, and that keeps things interesting. Some other reviewers have criticized the author for his lack of character development, but I don't totally agree with that. Some of the characters were flat and boring, but I found a few of them quite endearing. Maybe it had to do with their dog-like nature, but I got pretty attached to some of them.
My only real criticism here is the pace of the book. It seems like it has way too much detail, some of which is completely nonessential to the plot (or setting, or character development, etc.). This wasn't a "can't put it down" type of book for me. This was a "let's hurry up and get to the action" type of book, in which I skimmed paragraphs that were not terribly important and distilled information down to its essentials to move along. The book is 675 pages (paperback), and probably could have stopped at around 500.
Other than that, I did enjoy the book for the most part, and will certainly be checking out the rest of the series.
Anyway -- his writing style is accessible enough. He uses a wide and varied vocabulary that includes everything from vulgar obscenities to obscure adjectives most people have never heard of, and that keeps things interesting. Some other reviewers have criticized the author for his lack of character development, but I don't totally agree with that. Some of the characters were flat and boring, but I found a few of them quite endearing. Maybe it had to do with their dog-like nature, but I got pretty attached to some of them.
My only real criticism here is the pace of the book. It seems like it has way too much detail, some of which is completely nonessential to the plot (or setting, or character development, etc.). This wasn't a "can't put it down" type of book for me. This was a "let's hurry up and get to the action" type of book, in which I skimmed paragraphs that were not terribly important and distilled information down to its essentials to move along. The book is 675 pages (paperback), and probably could have stopped at around 500.
Other than that, I did enjoy the book for the most part, and will certainly be checking out the rest of the series.