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bijan711's review against another edition
4.0
Oooooh this book was so good. I wanted a bit more at the end, but I guess I have a whole 'nother book to keep exploring this universe. Speaking of which, based on a lot of salty reviews, it seems beneficial to have read this before Sea of Stars; nothing to be upset about!
Lastly, what stood out most to me was this books ability to hold tension. My chest was tight throughout the entire second half of the book. I actually switched predominantly to audio because they did such a good job of enhancing that tension. Very fun read and a great commentary on why we're alive.
Lastly, what stood out most to me was this books ability to hold tension. My chest was tight throughout the entire second half of the book. I actually switched predominantly to audio because they did such a good job of enhancing that tension. Very fun read and a great commentary on why we're alive.
asriram's review against another edition
2.0
I was hoping that after the amazing book that was To Sleep in a Sea of Stars, Pasolini would once again make an excellent novel. I was sadly disappointed. This book is what The Martian would be if you removed the science and hope and made it solely about Mark trudging across the surface of Mars, as everything just gets worse and worse for him. Seeing characters suffer in the way that they do isn’t particularly compelling for me, and the hopeful and anticipatory ending of TSiaSoS is completely lost here, with there being a moment of hope on the last page - this really doesn’t do anything for me, and I found the plot lead up to this moment of revelation extremely dull. I struggled to read this book, looking for excuses to put it down, but an intellectual desire to see if the ending was worth it was what compelled me to finish. Not particularly impressed with this novel - I hope future Fractalverse novels are more in line with the first Fractalverse novel rather than this one.
willjacks's review against another edition
2.0
THUD
The pain and the melatonin. I cry and clutch at my bandaged knee… for some reason it makes me think of dead girlfriend.
THUD
We must hike for many miles towards the hole in the ground that makes lots of noise for some reason, and we must bicker over politics and religion in the interim.
THUD
We have developed the technology to save someone who’s been severely wounded, but not the technology to prevent blisters.
THUD
I actually liked the first book even though it was a 32 hour audiobook.
The pain and the melatonin. I cry and clutch at my bandaged knee… for some reason it makes me think of dead girlfriend.
THUD
We must hike for many miles towards the hole in the ground that makes lots of noise for some reason, and we must bicker over politics and religion in the interim.
THUD
We have developed the technology to save someone who’s been severely wounded, but not the technology to prevent blisters.
THUD
I actually liked the first book even though it was a 32 hour audiobook.
feminerdity's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
samrp01's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was WILD. Good audiobook, but the story itself was project Hail Mary by Andy weir on crack. The ending felt abrupt, like the author was trying to be poetic but I just wanted a conclusion, not open ending.
malignantcactus's review against another edition
3.0
Mostly Jumbled Thoughts on Fractal Noise by Christopher Paolini
The genuinely oppressive atmosphere is far and away the star here. I could feel every palpable iota of tension Paolini put to word, and it's brilliant.
What detracts from Fractal Noise, however, is purely that I had no emotional connection to the characters or events. I recognize that Alex is not only emotionally and mentally suffering the stages of grief, but that the physical journey is a manifestation of that as well. It's all good, I just had no emotional connection to Alex or his struggles, which sucks.
I do, however, like that Paolini chose to not focus on any of the hard scifi elements for long, instead inserting them here and there. Focusing on the characters and their struggles and merely setting them against a scifi backdrop was a fantastic choice.
I wanted to love this book, but in the end, I just like it.
3.5/5
The genuinely oppressive atmosphere is far and away the star here. I could feel every palpable iota of tension Paolini put to word, and it's brilliant.
What detracts from Fractal Noise, however, is purely that I had no emotional connection to the characters or events. I recognize that Alex is not only emotionally and mentally suffering the stages of grief, but that the physical journey is a manifestation of that as well. It's all good, I just had no emotional connection to Alex or his struggles, which sucks.
I do, however, like that Paolini chose to not focus on any of the hard scifi elements for long, instead inserting them here and there. Focusing on the characters and their struggles and merely setting them against a scifi backdrop was a fantastic choice.
I wanted to love this book, but in the end, I just like it.
3.5/5
voxeldoodle's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
jlmyatt's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
mx5421's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
busybee123's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I had to binge watch grotesquely cheesy Netflix originals after this one.
Fractal Noise was really, really good. However, trigger warning, it's a super sad book. Do you want an existential crisis? Well, Paolini has delivered. I give it a 4.5 out 5 because I just wanted to know more about....everything. the world, the characters, the hole.
Fractal Noise was really, really good. However, trigger warning, it's a super sad book. Do you want an existential crisis? Well, Paolini has delivered. I give it a 4.5 out 5 because I just wanted to know more about....everything. the world, the characters, the hole.