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timinbc's review
3.0
It might help to think of this book as Scenes in the Caine Universe, in which Gannon has written several set pieces. That done, he builds a flimsy plot around them ... and doesn't bother with an ending.
Older readers with a British background will recognize Caine as a modern Dan Dare. Never wrong, never really in trouble, inspires fierce loyalty, and can be underestimated an infinite number of times.
There are some mildly interesting thoughts on what virtuality can do to a society. There are some dull political machinations.
For a long time in the middle of this book I thought I had slipped over into the similar John Scalzi series.
Elena is a real Maltese Falcon. I don't really care by now whether we ever see her again.
And the inane "challenges" - sheesh. Especially the virtuality with microscopic detail about 1860s London, give me a break. And of course you can never go wrong with a fight on a train. Yawn.
And then we come to what I have to call the ending because it was at the end. This is right out of Edgar Rice Burroughs. There they were in the 30'-deep pit with venomous snakes and greased sides. (turns page) Having escaped the pit, they strolled into the palace ... Or, to put it another way: "Cap't this could go ANYwhere -- or nowhere!" ... "Oh look, we're in the Vatican on Easter Sunday!" (book ends)
Too many loose ends and mighty leaps. Ptui. Three stars only because there were so MANY ideas.
Older readers with a British background will recognize Caine as a modern Dan Dare. Never wrong, never really in trouble, inspires fierce loyalty, and can be underestimated an infinite number of times.
There are some mildly interesting thoughts on what virtuality can do to a society. There are some dull political machinations.
For a long time in the middle of this book I thought I had slipped over into the similar John Scalzi series.
Elena is a real Maltese Falcon. I don't really care by now whether we ever see her again.
And the inane "challenges" - sheesh. Especially the virtuality with microscopic detail about 1860s London, give me a break. And of course you can never go wrong with a fight on a train. Yawn.
And then we come to what I have to call the ending because it was at the end. This is right out of Edgar Rice Burroughs. There they were in the 30'-deep pit with venomous snakes and greased sides. (turns page) Having escaped the pit, they strolled into the palace ... Or, to put it another way: "Cap't this could go ANYwhere -- or nowhere!" ... "Oh look, we're in the Vatican on Easter Sunday!" (book ends)
Too many loose ends and mighty leaps. Ptui. Three stars only because there were so MANY ideas.
bhagestedt's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.0
nadiahouston's review
2.0
Caine bounces around from planet to planet, solving everyone's problems, and then the book just stops without an ending.
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