Reviews

3.5. Daaaaaaaaaang. I really wanted to give this book a 4. Unfortunately, the first half of the book seemed to drag. Then the latter half sneaks up and catches you by surprise.

The best part of this book is by far the Spider people. Read it just for that!

eaterofworlds's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring mysterious tense 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

5.0

skylar2's review against another edition

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4.0

Vinge's story combines both a constant stream of ideas and their impacts on vastly different societies, and also an exploration of the importance of free will and diversity in thought. It's definitely worth the read.

adam_penny's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

kami5's review against another edition

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5.0

Fascinating story with great character interaction and a strong interplay of emotions. A must read for any fan of science fiction.

mebius's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional informative mysterious sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Poor Tomas

It could be a great book, but it was ruined by Qiwi's unnecessary dark subplot. If the author wanted to show us that Tomas Nau is a monster. It could be done in different ways and we've seen it almost from the start. But do what he did and repeat through the book.

Spoiler

Fourteen-year-old girl groomed and basically raped by 60-year-old pedophile. But what pisses me off most is that no one did anything to help her or say something about it. They only called her whore behind her back. From the same people who willingly accepted slavery even though they were supposed to be great traders and negotiators and they had bargaining power. Even Nau said in the beginning that Emergents can't survive without Qeng Ho.

And in the end, she got together with spineless Ezr Vihn?! Who beat her up that one time who, even knowing about her mindscrubs didn't do anything. Even though he could warn her somehow with localizers, recruit her to help with resistance.

I was sick to the stomach every time I read Qiwi's POV even though she was my favorite human character from the start.

And in the end, we didn't even get her POV only got a spineless Ezr Vihn character who didn't do anything for a whole book but became a hero in the end. And obnoxious Pham Nuwen who I couldn't stand in A Fire Upon the Deep, now we got even more of him with the longest chapters in the book

Spoiler

and complete 180 in his goals out of the blue.

The saving grace was Arachna's world and the characters in it. Loved everyone of them

Spoiler

poor Gokna

neonrabbit's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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