brendaclay's review against another edition
2.0
This book has won a lot of awards, but it just... wasn't for me, on multiple levels.
nglofile's review against another edition
3.0
An intriguing structure that works the toggling-between-timelines better than most.
Examines the aftermath (year 2035) of a cataclysmic event through a tiny group of survivors literally encased in a structure of alien making. Were these same beings responsible for wiping out life on earth? If so, why later provide a means to go back to the time near-preceding it (2013-2014) to gather supplies and children(!) to help ensure the propagation of the species? The reveal near the end isn't all that shocking, in part due to the fact similar stories are not uncommon. However, that doesn't mean it wasn't carried successfully here; the problem lies more in the fact it was shown as something of a mic-drop, when it may have been better served in allowing ramifications to breathe and layer with increasing enlightenment.
One idea worth turning over is the possible fallacy of the biological imperative. Terrible damage is done in the interest of continuing the species at all costs, but why? Would the quality of life of the survivors have been vastly improved if they were allowed to make the best of the days they had? Rather wish this had been teased out more, but it may be a reader's perception rather than intent of the author.
Examines the aftermath (year 2035) of a cataclysmic event through a tiny group of survivors literally encased in a structure of alien making. Were these same beings responsible for wiping out life on earth? If so, why later provide a means to go back to the time near-preceding it (2013-2014) to gather supplies and children(!) to help ensure the propagation of the species? The reveal near the end isn't all that shocking, in part due to the fact similar stories are not uncommon. However, that doesn't mean it wasn't carried successfully here; the problem lies more in the fact it was shown as something of a mic-drop, when it may have been better served in allowing ramifications to breathe and layer with increasing enlightenment.
One idea worth turning over is the possible fallacy of the biological imperative. Terrible damage is done in the interest of continuing the species at all costs, but why? Would the quality of life of the survivors have been vastly improved if they were allowed to make the best of the days they had? Rather wish this had been teased out more, but it may be a reader's perception rather than intent of the author.
sarah_dietrich's review against another edition
3.0
A fun, light read. No depth to it, no character development, etc.. Even shorter than the page count of 189 would have you think, only took a few hours to read.
mikernc's review against another edition
5.0
I really liked this book. Short, sweet, to the point. Explained just enough for closure, left just enough unexplained to wonder.
jimmypat's review against another edition
1.0
It's a bit bewildering that this book could be published. Terrible writing, plot holes, juvenile (but not appropriate for juveniles with its subject matter/language).... in the end, I just started laughing at the absurdity of this book.
tanya_the_spack's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed the story, but the oddly literal deus ex machina resolution is kind of absurd and never explained.
ginnikin's review against another edition
2.0
The scenario was impressive; the story was less so. The characters didn't have enough character (I remember feeling that way about Kress's books I ready a long time ago). Still, it was an easy read and an interesting idea. I get that the Tesslies were a macguffin, but your macguffins still need to make sense. Why were they interfering? Why in such an unscientific way? Why the urgency to get them out of the Shell after the last Grab?
raven_morgan's review against another edition
5.0
Read as part of the 2013 Hugo packet.
And yeah, kind of holy crap amazing. Suspect it will be one that I reread fairly regularly. Though dammit, I kind of wanted it to be expanded into a novel.
And yeah, kind of holy crap amazing. Suspect it will be one that I reread fairly regularly. Though dammit, I kind of wanted it to be expanded into a novel.
eishe's review against another edition
4.0
A haunting, short and easy read.
Even though I knew what was coming at the end, it still hit me like a brick wall. Recommended.
Even though I knew what was coming at the end, it still hit me like a brick wall. Recommended.