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aetx's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
jaminup's review against another edition
3.0
Rounded down from 3.5 stars. A lot slower than I was expecting, but I found the second half much more engaging and was happy with the payoff by the end. I'm not sure if it was just the ebook version I was reading from, but there were so many typos it was distracting, especially for an award winning novel. I may revisit the Alliance-Union Universe at some point, especially since Cyteen is on my list of award winners to read, as I did immensely enjoy the world building.
thinkspink's review against another edition
3.0
This reminds me a lot of the books my teenage self read. These were usually characterised by a Chris Foss style cover, which has very little relationship to the story. Despite a gripping, visceral opening, the next 200 pages were fairly dry. While there were highlights, (usually involving Mallory or the Downers), there wasn't enough of these characters, or any real drive or flair - relying instead on the promise of large space battle set pieces at the climax. It just feels very old fashioned now, compared to modern sci-fi.
writings_of_a_reader's review against another edition
4.0
This was our book club pick for April and I honestly wasn't expecting to like it nearly as much as I did. The different factions and their political machinations reminded me, at times, of The Expanse. There were definitely comparisons that could be drawn between Earth Company, Union, and Merchants in this book; and the Belters, Martians, and Earth's United Nations in The Expanse series. Of course, this series came far before that one. I liked that the author was able to show the different sides of the conflict in this book, and how there were good and bad people on all sides. The characters felt very well drawn and real to me. I especially enjoyed reading about Damon and Elene, Josh, and the Hisa.
I do want to point out that this review is specially for the Graphic Audio version of this book. I tried listening to the other audio version and quite frankly, did not care for the narrator. I'm not sure how much I would have enjoyed this book if I had continued to listen to that version, or even read the print version. I would like to think the print version would have eventually drawn me in. The Graphic Audio version was loaded with a full cast of voice actors and lots of sound effects that made this book something I looked forward to listening to. It brought to mind the old radio programs people used to listen to. I don't know how much of the book is changed or left out of this version, but this version was about 13 hours long, and the other audio version was 19 hours long. So I'm assuming some things got cut, but I don't believe anything of real significance was cut.
In the end, I enjoyed this so much that I plan on reading the second book in the series.
I do want to point out that this review is specially for the Graphic Audio version of this book. I tried listening to the other audio version and quite frankly, did not care for the narrator. I'm not sure how much I would have enjoyed this book if I had continued to listen to that version, or even read the print version. I would like to think the print version would have eventually drawn me in. The Graphic Audio version was loaded with a full cast of voice actors and lots of sound effects that made this book something I looked forward to listening to. It brought to mind the old radio programs people used to listen to. I don't know how much of the book is changed or left out of this version, but this version was about 13 hours long, and the other audio version was 19 hours long. So I'm assuming some things got cut, but I don't believe anything of real significance was cut.
In the end, I enjoyed this so much that I plan on reading the second book in the series.
healnotslay's review against another edition
4.0
A study in the concept of loyalty and borders - but not quite as subtle as LHOD. Deeply political, only enjoyed this because I'm not working atm otherwise would not have been able to stomach it
Alternatively as someone on r/printSF said, cherryh's strength lies in writing "pathetic lonely male characters"
Alternatively as someone on r/printSF said, cherryh's strength lies in writing "pathetic lonely male characters"