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maxed's review against another edition
3.0
It's a well-written, engaging book, that has nothing new to say and look kind of suspicious once you get past all the action and suffering.
The trouble is, you can replace almost all future technologies in it with 60's fighter jets, M15s and napalm, and get a serviceable Vietnam book. Much advertised Genetics are far from the central point of this volume.
Another problem with "Germline" is that it seems to be set in at least 22nd century (the hero remembers reading "21th century book", which is worded like 21th is not the current century), but both technologies and society seem barely advanced since 2010s. Which seems very unlikely right now.
In the end, it's one of those books that go very well on emotional level (it does well in delivering its "war is hell" message), but somewhat fall apart when you begin to examine details, which cost it 1 star in my rating.
The trouble is, you can replace almost all future technologies in it with 60's fighter jets, M15s and napalm, and get a serviceable Vietnam book. Much advertised Genetics are far from the central point of this volume.
Another problem with "Germline" is that it seems to be set in at least 22nd century (the hero remembers reading "21th century book", which is worded like 21th is not the current century), but both technologies and society seem barely advanced since 2010s. Which seems very unlikely right now.
In the end, it's one of those books that go very well on emotional level (it does well in delivering its "war is hell" message), but somewhat fall apart when you begin to examine details, which cost it 1 star in my rating.
beccagomezfarrell's review against another edition
4.0
"Fear and Loathing" in the subterranean world of endless war in Kazakhstan. I'm not into military science fiction, which means I'm not likely to read the sequels, but it's quite well written and more engaging than I expected for this genre. A character you begin loathing is one you can only empathize with by the end.
bobf2d33's review against another edition
4.0
This was a real find. Basic military sci-fi but where the author captures the stresses of war on the soldiers. Will read the others in the series.
books17's review against another edition
4.0
Had no idea what to expect from this, grabbed it from the library after checking it in one day - very impressed. Not the best written thing in the world, but an absolute ton of emotion in there, and some very cool ideas. Very much looking forward to checking out the others, now.
jasonoffer's review against another edition
4.0
I started off disliking this book as I found it very hard to get used to the author's writing style. Also the explanations of the surroundings and position of the main character were hard to follow. Therefore building a picture of the world and environment was difficult to say the least.
But I perervered and am delighted I did, as the ability of the author to build such a complex character and describe him in this viscious and brutal environment was amazing. My opinion about the faults in his writing was blown away by the creativity and story building that took over.
In summary, although the book was hard to get into any fan of war books should read this and anyone who thinks war is glamorous.....
As for the author how he produced such a vivid account of war even with his experience is beyond me.
But I perervered and am delighted I did, as the ability of the author to build such a complex character and describe him in this viscious and brutal environment was amazing. My opinion about the faults in his writing was blown away by the creativity and story building that took over.
In summary, although the book was hard to get into any fan of war books should read this and anyone who thinks war is glamorous.....
As for the author how he produced such a vivid account of war even with his experience is beyond me.
ansate's review against another edition
5.0
This is a hard review to write. It was compelling and interesting and gripping. There were tiny flashes of grim humor. But it was not a fun or light read at all.[return][return]At first I was put off that our protagonist was a civilian, but over the course of the book, it makes the way that he gets caught up in the experience more about the experience, without the complications of being stuck in the war. Instead of science fiction being the focus and war being just something that happens, science fiction makes it more general instead of being about a specific time that we can think of as safely past. [return][return]It makes me want to go read Catch-22. I didn't even like Catch-22 last time I read it. [return][return]Don't be worried that it appears to be first in the series. It's a complete story, and I can't even imagine how the next book will pick it up.
jasmeralia's review against another edition
5.0
Gritty, unpleasant, dark, and gripping, this conveys the true horrors that war might yet become.
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