tstorm's review against another edition
3.0
I agree with other reviews that the first two thirds of this book were amazing. The direction the author chose to take the ending was disappointing to me. However, I would still recommend this book based on the highly entertaining quality of the first two-thirds. Overall rating 3.5
glitterbomb47's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. The setup (about the first quarter of the book) was slow and I disliked the main character. I am so glad I powered through, because this book is some great science fiction!
jonwesleyhuff's review against another edition
3.0
This was a lot of fun to read. I did figure out what was going on after the first scene, but it's to the credit of the book that it was entertaining enough that I didn't get annoyed waiting for the characters to catch up. The author was great at keeping you "turning the page" and keeping the momentum of the story up. It was fun to watch the story unfold.
cdeane61's review against another edition
3.0
I really liked this book - up to one certain event.
Then I had the thought "oh it one of these" and the going got tough.
I did get through, and actually liked the very end, so a little redemption.
Protagonist "Mike" is one of the cooler characters I've seen in awhile.
Then I had the thought "oh it one of these" and the going got tough.
I did get through, and actually liked the very end, so a little redemption.
Protagonist "Mike" is one of the cooler characters I've seen in awhile.
lanica's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book and would recommend it, but I'm not going to use my 'school library review' format, because I don't see the value in adding it to a school library. It's meant for an adult audience - not in the sexual way - who are looking for a light sci-fi read.
What I liked:
The premise and the humor. I also loved some sections of the writing. The ending to chapter six was perfect. It was at that point that I knew I was really going to like this book. I also loved the moment when Mike figured it all out. I literally (and yes I know how to use that word correctly) had chills go up and down my spine as I read that scene.
What I didn't like:
The characters were forgettable and in many cases bled into each other. There were some scenes when it really didn't matter who was saying what and I just passed right through the dialogue tags to get to the meat of the words.
The science was weak. Actually, it was non-existent. When Mike tried to find answers he was met with the confidentiality clause and people refused to speak, but even once he started to get answers, they were insubstantial and theoretical. There was no real science in this science-fiction book. Kim Stanley Robinson fans will automatically hate this book, they are on opposite ends of the hard-science vs. made-up-science continuum.
That's probably why I hated the alpha-predator at the end of the book. I can usually fit anything into a good story, but my suspension of disbelief was unable to overcome the complete impossibility of this thing. It's a good thing that the ending was so quick. We didn't have to watch that thing for very long.
OVERALL:
I liked it and would recommend it as a light read to sci-fi fans. It's interesting and made me think, but my thoughts always circled back to the impossibility of it all. A good story.
What I liked:
The premise and the humor. I also loved some sections of the writing. The ending to chapter six was perfect. It was at that point that I knew I was really going to like this book. I also loved the moment when Mike figured it all out. I literally (and yes I know how to use that word correctly) had chills go up and down my spine as I read that scene.
What I didn't like:
The characters were forgettable and in many cases bled into each other. There were some scenes when it really didn't matter who was saying what and I just passed right through the dialogue tags to get to the meat of the words.
The science was weak. Actually, it was non-existent. When Mike tried to find answers he was met with the confidentiality clause and people refused to speak, but even once he started to get answers, they were insubstantial and theoretical. There was no real science in this science-fiction book. Kim Stanley Robinson fans will automatically hate this book, they are on opposite ends of the hard-science vs. made-up-science continuum.
That's probably why I hated the alpha-predator at the end of the book. I can usually fit anything into a good story, but my suspension of disbelief was unable to overcome the complete impossibility of this thing. It's a good thing that the ending was so quick. We didn't have to watch that thing for very long.
OVERALL:
I liked it and would recommend it as a light read to sci-fi fans. It's interesting and made me think, but my thoughts always circled back to the impossibility of it all. A good story.
nigelbaker's review against another edition
3.0
Most of the story slowly evolves, with an interesting premise and characters. Then, about 3/4 of the way through the 'secret' is revealed and it's familiar. In fact it's just the final part of the previous book (14) bolted onto the end.
This changes the tone and genre from interesting and light-hearted to tense, action horror. It's an abrupt change and a very unsatisfactory ending.
This changes the tone and genre from interesting and light-hearted to tense, action horror. It's an abrupt change and a very unsatisfactory ending.
seinfeldt's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
diaryofthebookdragon's review against another edition
3.0
Peter Clines, why the hell did you have to spoil it with bugmans?
The Fold started great and intense. I could not put it down and it had all elements to make it to my favorites shelf:
+ Geeky main characters
+ Secret government experiment
+ Mike (and me) working to solve the mystery what are they hiding
+ Weird scientific theories how space/time travel is possible.
It was all going great until Peter Clines left the realistic sf for horror sf grounds. Scenes with a lot of blood and monsters didn't scare me and they cheapened the mystery. I'm sorry Peter Clines didn't stay with the possible and scientific speculations until the end.
The Fold started great and intense. I could not put it down and it had all elements to make it to my favorites shelf:
+ Geeky main characters
+ Secret government experiment
+ Mike (and me) working to solve the mystery what are they hiding
+ Weird scientific theories how space/time travel is possible.
It was all going great until Peter Clines left the realistic sf for horror sf grounds. Scenes with a lot of blood and monsters didn't scare me and they cheapened the mystery. I'm sorry Peter Clines didn't stay with the possible and scientific speculations until the end.
mandyherbet's review against another edition
4.0
Just fun. Good plot for the first 2/3 before it descended into madness. I was expecting it though since I read Clines's previous novel, 14, so it didn't surprise me. I would have liked to see where the plot could have gone without the descent into the weird world of 14 but I still really enjoyed the audiobook. Great narration!