jmy's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
bookmason's review against another edition
3.0
Okay time waster, nice humourous edge, but more hard scifi novel than what I was lead to believe.
Not sure I'll read the sequel.
An interesting premise but it doesn't quite get the balance right between the humour and the serious side.
Not sure I'll read the sequel.
An interesting premise but it doesn't quite get the balance right between the humour and the serious side.
raforall's review against another edition
4.0
Review coming to blog and Booklist Magazine soon.
Thought-provoking and fun-- in equal measures. A solid SF for fans both casual and serious.
Thought-provoking and fun-- in equal measures. A solid SF for fans both casual and serious.
hecate64's review against another edition
5.0
It’s a blast
What a blast. I didn’t get anything done today because I read this in one sitting. If you like Scalzi and Valente, you’ll enjoy this.
What a blast. I didn’t get anything done today because I read this in one sitting. If you like Scalzi and Valente, you’ll enjoy this.
timeswitch's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
siclarke's review against another edition
4.0
I have mixed feelings about this one.
It was billed as funny science fiction. It has funny moments and it has warmth and wit, but I wouldn't call it a comedy.
It has frequently been compared to Hitchhiker (including by the author); however, I don't see that at all.
It was written more than a decade ago and published two years ago. I suspect the author's worldview has shifted dramatically in that time. Some of the book seemed to reflect the outlook I see in his twitter feed, but it carries the ghost of what I suspect were his earlier views.
There were a lot mixed messages and I'm not sure what the book's aim was.
I enjoyed the writing style and the character development. I think I'd like to read something Mr Tomlinson has written more recently as I suspect this isn't the best he has to offer.
It was billed as funny science fiction. It has funny moments and it has warmth and wit, but I wouldn't call it a comedy.
It has frequently been compared to Hitchhiker (including by the author); however, I don't see that at all.
It was written more than a decade ago and published two years ago. I suspect the author's worldview has shifted dramatically in that time. Some of the book seemed to reflect the outlook I see in his twitter feed, but it carries the ghost of what I suspect were his earlier views.
There were a lot mixed messages and I'm not sure what the book's aim was.
I enjoyed the writing style and the character development. I think I'd like to read something Mr Tomlinson has written more recently as I suspect this isn't the best he has to offer.
trike's review against another edition
2.0
2 stars because it’s only semi-funny and the cavalier attitude toward genocide. WTF was that about?
——
All these books that have the same date for the summer of ‘22 are because I was locked out of Goodreads and didn’t note the day I read the books.
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All these books that have the same date for the summer of ‘22 are because I was locked out of Goodreads and didn’t note the day I read the books.
czarina_misha's review against another edition
2.0
Introducing the characters, setting up the plot, explaining the science, and narrating the climax are all done in the same bland manner. I was so bored with it all that I barely noticed when the plot had moved into the “exciting” bit. The first 200 pages of setup could (and should) be reduced to one short chapter. The next 200 pages could be condensed into 3-4 short chapters. This is really enough plot for one short story. The writer does have sentences here and there with a witty or wry turn of phrase, but do not expect an Adams-sequel humorous sci-fi. This is straightforward first contact sci-fi, heavy on the sci.
karak's review against another edition
4.0
Loved it!
Slow start, but once it got going, it was fabulous.
Slow start, but once it got going, it was fabulous.