qwedsa123's review
adventurous
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
darkchocolate's review against another edition
3.0
Is this how it ends? REALLY ?!!
For a book i didn't know if i like it or not when i got to the epilogue i was like WTF...How could you do this to the readers? I mean there are open endings and open endings.. Ahhh jinjaaaa!
What i liked about this book - the many incredible stories and myths about the planets, each one with their unique fate. The cities and the way they represent the nations who build them. The second half of the book - more action, more suspense, growth of the characters, unexpected twist. The bond between Jaan and Garse, their honor codex and the way they fought against everything and everyone unjust. The fact that Gwen after all stayed with her Jaan Vikary.
What i didn't like in this book - how annoyingly clinching was Dirk t'Larien to the memory of Jenny (but i really liked that after all he grew and understood more the Kavalan people and what trully stands behind all those given words and names). I didn't like the first half of the book mainly because i was expecting after each chapter for something more and thrilling to finally happen instead of just reading about the memories about a woman who never actually existed.
I don't know how i feel about Garse Ironjade Janacek. Actually i do know - I HATED HIS ENDING!! Of course, i hated it! The way he died..this is wrecking!! BUT i also understand why Martin finished him in that manner. It makes the reader more involved.
For a book i didn't know if i like it or not when i got to the epilogue i was like WTF...How could you do this to the readers? I mean there are open endings and open endings.. Ahhh jinjaaaa!
What i liked about this book - the many incredible stories and myths about the planets, each one with their unique fate. The cities and the way they represent the nations who build them. The second half of the book - more action, more suspense, growth of the characters, unexpected twist. The bond between Jaan and Garse, their honor codex and the way they fought against everything and everyone unjust. The fact that Gwen after all stayed with her Jaan Vikary.
What i didn't like in this book - how annoyingly clinching was Dirk t'Larien to the memory of Jenny (but i really liked that after all he grew and understood more the Kavalan people and what trully stands behind all those given words and names). I didn't like the first half of the book mainly because i was expecting after each chapter for something more and thrilling to finally happen instead of just reading about the memories about a woman who never actually existed.
I don't know how i feel about Garse Ironjade Janacek. Actually i do know - I HATED HIS ENDING!! Of course, i hated it! The way he died..this is wrecking!! BUT i also understand why Martin finished him in that manner. It makes the reader more involved.
bishoyzaki's review
2.0
I only gave it 2 stars because I liked the part about kavalar history and GRRM's unique imagination of a post-apocalyptic society, otherwise the characters are bland, the story almost non-existent and most of all the book is wickedly boring in a way that I never would have expected from something written by GRRM. I was so bored that around the 70% mark I just gave up and I couldn't care less what happened to those characters.
jaimygdala's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
davybaby's review against another edition
3.0
Worlorn is an asteroid that is floating through space and, for the first time, a solar system that will allow it to sustain life (for the 50 years it will be in the solar system). In honor of this, it is being used as a festival planet, with each culture of the 13 other planets creating a city on it. But by the time Dirk finds himself drawn there by a former lover, Worlorn is dying. Leaving the system, it is getting colder and darker by the day, and Dirk finds himself in danger from the world's remaining population.
Like in any good science fiction, there were really interesting cultures and a great setting. The cities, which are the only hints of their cultures, are largely empty or dying. This allows a particularly interesting and melancholy view of the cultures, shown by only what and who they left behind. And once it got going, I found myself unable to put it down. However, the storyline was somewhat lacking and the ending was abrupt and unsatisfying. The main characters were only mildly interesting compared to many of the secondary characters.
Overall, as a fan of Martin's work, I was disappointed. If you're in the mood for fun science fiction, it certainly is better than a lot of what's out there. But it's not up to par with the rest of Martin's writing.
Like in any good science fiction, there were really interesting cultures and a great setting. The cities, which are the only hints of their cultures, are largely empty or dying. This allows a particularly interesting and melancholy view of the cultures, shown by only what and who they left behind. And once it got going, I found myself unable to put it down. However, the storyline was somewhat lacking and the ending was abrupt and unsatisfying. The main characters were only mildly interesting compared to many of the secondary characters.
Overall, as a fan of Martin's work, I was disappointed. If you're in the mood for fun science fiction, it certainly is better than a lot of what's out there. But it's not up to par with the rest of Martin's writing.
anthonyarnone's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
crunden's review against another edition
I read this one a few years back and absolutely adored it. GRRM writes wonderful sci-fi and I really want this to be a miniseries some day. Very cool plot and world-building.
jch2022's review
4.0
An excellent tale of suspense and action by Martin(who happens to be amongst my favorite authors.) Though set on another world and definitely a SF novel this one has such rich characterizations and depth I found myself caught up in the tale and could hardly stop to attend to real life duties.