maxed's review
4.0
Frankly, I see nothing wrong with this book. It's classic Stross: funny, with a lot of references to geek culture and classics, with interesting story (maybe just a tiny bit obvious at times, but not really enough to spoil anything for me). I liked it very much and it made me giggle on public transit - what more can be asked of a book?!
saoki's review against another edition
4.0
Almost 2 years late, but I managed to read The Annihilation Score. And, you know what? I liked it. I liked Mo, I understood her reasons and her fears and I enjoyed the hell out of Charles Stross way of picking the Avengers (and those urban fantasy supers books) apart. It was fun, even though I have to agree that Mo was not much of an agent of her own destiny in the story and that the ending was very much predictable (I always expect Charles Stross to veer away from my expectations).
As for the much discussed way Mo treats Bob, well, Bob has spent the whole series treating her pretty much the same way. I never really got what kept them together, besides using each other as life-savers.
As for the much discussed way Mo treats Bob, well, Bob has spent the whole series treating her pretty much the same way. I never really got what kept them together, besides using each other as life-savers.
marpesea's review
4.0
Although I could have used a tad more resolution in this installment, this series continues to be fantastic. I loved the change in viewpoints (Mo!) and the narrator was fabulous.
es42's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the change of narrator - Stross succeeded in creating a distinct voice for Mo. It's a much welcome change of tone!
/spoilers ahead!/
Story-wise, I'd have preferred a more surprising twist, or at least more elaboration on the supernatural threats and themes.
/spoilers ahead!/
Story-wise, I'd have preferred a more surprising twist, or at least more elaboration on the supernatural threats and themes.
peter_xxx's review against another edition
3.0
this is actually a 2.5 star book. unlike other Laundry books this one has not Bob Howard but his wife Dr O'Brien who is the main character. For some reason this book feels like one of the weaker ones in this series. The story never really took off. The base idea was very good but I felt the execution was not living up to it.
derekjohnston's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
_meltea_'s review
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jkomg's review against another edition
2.0
I didn’t care for this one, as Mo was written as largely unlikeable. It was a mess with a ton of loose ends.
cheshire_the_cat's review against another edition
3.0
Very little to no spoilers if you already read the synopsis
I did not terribly enjoy this book, i got chuckles here and there, but the charming voice that Bob awkward nerdiness brings is not present, instead is replaced by a bitter and frankly insufferable Mo that sounds like a mix of a Karen and a intellectual snob, which is either a deliberate (and imo terrible) choice or a genuine inability to write a leading female character (I'm inclined to think is the former given that Stross has quite a few books with female leads that got good reviews)
Superheroes? This is different from previous cross-genre laundry books (like the first 3-4) because the idea of superheroes is given way more thought than the superheroes themselves, is also that methinks bleak superheroes require a somewhat less cynical world than TLF.
Truly 6/10, not terribly, not great, just decent.
I did not terribly enjoy this book, i got chuckles here and there, but the charming voice that Bob awkward nerdiness brings is not present, instead is replaced by a bitter and frankly insufferable Mo that sounds like a mix of a Karen and a intellectual snob, which is either a deliberate (and imo terrible) choice or a genuine inability to write a leading female character (I'm inclined to think is the former given that Stross has quite a few books with female leads that got good reviews)
Superheroes? This is different from previous cross-genre laundry books (like the first 3-4) because the idea of superheroes is given way more thought than the superheroes themselves, is also that methinks bleak superheroes require a somewhat less cynical world than TLF.
Truly 6/10, not terribly, not great, just decent.
titusfortner's review against another edition
4.0
Very disappointing. I loved the idea of having Mo as the protagonist in this installment of the Laundry Files, but she wasn't very well written. Stross depicts her without any of the earnest charm that characterizes Bob, and makes it hard to relate to and sympathize with her emotionally. The book was well paced and a quick read, but just felt flat.
Original review: 3 stars
Reread review:
Bumping it up to 4 stars. I feel less emotional betrayal with more time to process the significant change in direction of this series. There are still issues with the execution, but it is daring and interesting and worth more consideration.
Original review: 3 stars
Reread review:
Bumping it up to 4 stars. I feel less emotional betrayal with more time to process the significant change in direction of this series. There are still issues with the execution, but it is daring and interesting and worth more consideration.