garrodot's review against another edition
3.0
Some very interesting alternate-reality concepts, but it already feels pretty dated and resolved entirely too easily. Also, a bizarre sexual subplot.
graemescallion's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
danie_joye_breit's review against another edition
5.0
a well-balanced book that provokes philosophical inquiries, with interesting characters that you find yourself rooting for, even if they aren't main characters. The way this novel evokes a strong connection to humanity in such a real and constructive fashion is beautiful. I'm going to put the sequel high on my "to read next" list.
hawkeyegough's review against another edition
2.0
Good concepts but the characters were sort of poorly-developed. That would've been fine, as I think the plot could have been carried by the scientific concepts, as is the case with a lot of hard sci-fi. Unfortunately, Sawyer seems to have been persuaded by someone to add in a romantic aspect that feels really grafted on and distracting, as well as out of character for the main character. I wanted to give this three stars because the science really is interesting and Sawyer clearly did a lot of research, but the ending went into soap opera territory and ended up disappointing.
ristan72's review against another edition
5.0
What an amazing premise - 10,000 years ago, in one version or the universe, the Neandertals developed consciousness, and Homo Sapiens died out. Two worlds meet in a scientific experiment gone wrong, and a Neandertal drops into our world. Great series.
larrianne65's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I really liked this book and read it within a few hours in 1 night. It asks the question what would happen in a world different than ours. Populated by Neanderthals, less people, more communing with nature, more surveillance but not crime.
I like stories that imagine what if? That give us another way to look at the world. Another way to live. That put a magnifying glass up to our society and examine our strengths and our flaws. To examine if there is another, better way to live. Or if we are living our best lives just as we are.
The following topics were also covered: Neanderthal, Homo Sapien, Quantum, Theory, computing, Physics, sexuality, Bisexuality,civilization, extinction, family, love, experiment, soul, crime, surveillance, nature
I like stories that imagine what if? That give us another way to look at the world. Another way to live. That put a magnifying glass up to our society and examine our strengths and our flaws. To examine if there is another, better way to live. Or if we are living our best lives just as we are.
The following topics were also covered: Neanderthal, Homo Sapien, Quantum, Theory, computing, Physics, sexuality, Bisexuality,civilization, extinction, family, love, experiment, soul, crime, surveillance, nature
wayfaring_witch's review against another edition
4.0
Ponter is a Neanderthal scientist in a parallel universe where homo sapiens have died out. He is transported to our universe during an experiment. This was a fun read exploring how events would take place if this happened in our modern world. I was impressed with a lot of the research that Sawyer did as well as some of the consequences that tool place. I particularly enjoyed that the book would go to the Neanderthal world where Ponter's partner had to prove he didn't murder Ponter. Kept picking it back up whenever I got the chance! The ending was a bit weak as suddenly we have emotions, romance, and out of place philosophical conversations occurring. The next book will be on my to-read list as I am curious how the interactions will continue.
cabledsweater's review against another edition
3.0
It took some persistence to get through the first couple of chapters, but after that it held my interest. It may be that I've been out of school too long, but I had trouble wrapping my head around some of the scientific explanations, and some of the ones I did understand, I had trouble believing as they were used in the plot. The sympathetic characters carried the story, as did the Canadian locations I recognized. Definitely going to read the rest of the series.
blevins's review against another edition
3.0
What would happen if there was a parallel universe to ours where Neanderthals ruled "their" earth instead of humans and then a link was made between the two worlds? This is the book to answer that question. As always with Sawyer, lots of philosophical discussions--too much at times. I liked this first of a trilogy but second one went downhill for me. Never read the third.
dan_at's review against another edition
4.0
Mild spoilers ahead.
Easy interesting read, with some really good parts in it. The "love story" is totally unneeded, plain, uninteresting and just feels totally out of place, so is the Trial story in the parallel world. It does a good job of explaining their world a bit and delay the return of Ponter but other than that i was glad when the trial parts ended and we got back to the interesting Ponter storyline.
Overall i would recommend it to people who like alternate history and/or world exploring.
Easy interesting read, with some really good parts in it. The "love story" is totally unneeded, plain, uninteresting and just feels totally out of place, so is the Trial story in the parallel world. It does a good job of explaining their world a bit and delay the return of Ponter but other than that i was glad when the trial parts ended and we got back to the interesting Ponter storyline.
Overall i would recommend it to people who like alternate history and/or world exploring.