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meera01's review
Could not keep my attention. I found it boring. There was too much exposition.
codex99's review
adventurous
inspiring
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.75
headachefromgod's review against another edition
3.25
Very interesting world! The characters are somewhat weak? I still sympathised with them and wanted the best for them but I definitely wasn't as invested as I could've been. Nothing really made the two main characters stand out, especially not Geoffrey sadly. I kinda sorta liked him but there wasn't really much.. there.
My other big thing about the book is that it has its own little plot within it that I didn't really feel interested (enough) in until page 200 or so, which is not a good sign! And the biggest interest (I think) came around page 500 or something.... It has a bit of a first book in a series vibe, not in the sense that the author might evolve their style as the series goes on as one may see in authors publishing one of their first books but more of the well planned, laid out series that's great as a whole! but the first book feels a bit like a prolonged prologue or just setting up interesting stuff that you get to dive deeper into in later books.
I will most likely continue reading the next book but since I'm not one for reading a ton of book series this weighs heavier on my rating than someone more well versed in the genre might consider normal.
My other big thing about the book is that it has its own little plot within it that I didn't really feel interested (enough) in until page 200 or so, which is not a good sign! And the biggest interest (I think) came around page 500 or something.... It has a bit of a first book in a series vibe, not in the sense that the author might evolve their style as the series goes on as one may see in authors publishing one of their first books but more of the well planned, laid out series that's great as a whole! but the first book feels a bit like a prolonged prologue or just setting up interesting stuff that you get to dive deeper into in later books.
I will most likely continue reading the next book but since I'm not one for reading a ton of book series this weighs heavier on my rating than someone more well versed in the genre might consider normal.
livvys23's review against another edition
Terminology difficult to understand without a science background.... Gets confusing.
kodermike's review
5.0
I have to admit, going solely on the back cover blurb, I was skeptical about this book, putting it off as a TBR for the last few years. I finally found a copy at a used bookstore and was in the mood for something that was a bit more meaty than usual faire of Sci-Fi I'd been reading later.
What won me over in the end was that it was an Alastair Reynolds book. I loved his Revelation Space books; the same can be said for this first chapter in the Poseidon's Children series. It starts off as a future drama, but quickly unfolds into the kind of space opera I've come to enjoy. We worth the week long marathon I spent reading it :)
What won me over in the end was that it was an Alastair Reynolds book. I loved his Revelation Space books; the same can be said for this first chapter in the Poseidon's Children series. It starts off as a future drama, but quickly unfolds into the kind of space opera I've come to enjoy. We worth the week long marathon I spent reading it :)
erinisobel's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
zoff's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mschlat's review against another edition
3.0
In many ways, this is the most accessible Alastair Reynolds I've ever read. The setting is the 22nd century with some human expansion to the Moon, Mars, and a bit further; the main characters are members of the Akinya family (whose matriarch pioneered much of the afore-mentioned expansion) and are fairly relatable characters; the language doesn't hit you over the head with the immediate strangeness of the Revelation Space books.
But it wasn't a great read. It was slow, I reacted poorly to a main character (Geoffrey Akinya, who would rather spend time studying elephants than anything else and makes that point frequently and with a good deal of prickliness), and I felt like the entire book was a prologue to more interesting stuff to come in later volumes. On the whole, the plot is a treasure hunt that takes the reader through different human settlements (roughly equivalent to the stuff you see in The Expanse novels) and different ideas of transhumanism. And, to be honest, I've seen more compelling portrayals of transhumanism elsewhere. If you're interested in humanity-starts-to-go-to-the-stars stuff with more than a dash of family dynamics, this might be worth a read. I don't think I'll look for later volumes.
But it wasn't a great read. It was slow, I reacted poorly to a main character (Geoffrey Akinya, who would rather spend time studying elephants than anything else and makes that point frequently and with a good deal of prickliness), and I felt like the entire book was a prologue to more interesting stuff to come in later volumes. On the whole, the plot is a treasure hunt that takes the reader through different human settlements (roughly equivalent to the stuff you see in The Expanse novels) and different ideas of transhumanism. And, to be honest, I've seen more compelling portrayals of transhumanism elsewhere. If you're interested in humanity-starts-to-go-to-the-stars stuff with more than a dash of family dynamics, this might be worth a read. I don't think I'll look for later volumes.
pauljacobson's review
4.0
I loved this book. Reynolds is easily my current favourite Sci-fi writer. This story was well crafted, plausible and kept me hooked. I haven't driven around a block a few extra times for many books. This one kept me driving so I could listen to a bit more.
lzad's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
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
4.25