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kitsuneheart's review against another edition
4.0
The current accepted models of evolution emphasize small changes perpetuated over many generations, taking thousands, if not millions, of years to change one species into another. But what if that is wrong? What if there's more like a...switch. A sudden, drastic change in the genetic makeup of a species, creating an instant branch on the evolutionary tree, and the arrival of a new species that exists in direct competition to the original?
What if this once happened to humans?
What if it starts happening again?
Bear has us follow various scientists as the switch is flipped and humanity enters the next stage of its evolution. And the non-evolved members of humanity take it...about as well as you'd expect. Quarantines, abortions, murders...it's all the drama you see in the more gruesome storylines of Marvel's X-Men, but this time, the new species isn't showing themselves at puberty, but can be detected in their mother's own womb.
Greg Bear took the ethical debate of “how can we co-exist with aliens on a resource-scare planet” and changed it to “how can we co-exist with our own alien children.” And it's terrifying to the reader on both sides: the original humans, who will soon find themselves either controlled by these new creatures or edged out of their niche in the environment, or through the eyes of the mutated children, barely here, but already humanity's greatest threat.
I will definitely be going on to the second book in the series! Bear gives you a satisfactory ending, for those who aren't quite into the series and with no plans of continuing, but there's enough left there at the end to make you curious and come back.
What if this once happened to humans?
What if it starts happening again?
Bear has us follow various scientists as the switch is flipped and humanity enters the next stage of its evolution. And the non-evolved members of humanity take it...about as well as you'd expect. Quarantines, abortions, murders...it's all the drama you see in the more gruesome storylines of Marvel's X-Men, but this time, the new species isn't showing themselves at puberty, but can be detected in their mother's own womb.
Greg Bear took the ethical debate of “how can we co-exist with aliens on a resource-scare planet” and changed it to “how can we co-exist with our own alien children.” And it's terrifying to the reader on both sides: the original humans, who will soon find themselves either controlled by these new creatures or edged out of their niche in the environment, or through the eyes of the mutated children, barely here, but already humanity's greatest threat.
I will definitely be going on to the second book in the series! Bear gives you a satisfactory ending, for those who aren't quite into the series and with no plans of continuing, but there's enough left there at the end to make you curious and come back.
rproaudio's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
mnapoleon's review against another edition
4.0
This book was part hard-scifi part Michael Crichton book. At times I felt like was reading some airport bestseller.
preston94vaughn's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
kombrink's review
challenging
hopeful
slow-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
4.0
rc90041's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent hard sci-fi. I learned a lot about viral fossils entrenched in human DNA (endogenous retroviruses). The story moved along nicely and managed to stay pretty gripping. Fine edutainment.
puck1008's review against another edition
4.0
Published in 1999 and it shows. It's a good read, but the level of bonkers is much too low. The things that bugged me the first time (super binary, indigenous stereotypes, bipoc are there, act just like white folks unless being a stereotype, no queer folks in sight, no intersex folks) still bugged me this read through. The scientific speculations are very very optimistic, but still interesting.
kpwerker's review against another edition
4.0
This might be the most engaging sci-fi book I've read in months or possibly years.
Although I had to fight my inclination to edit the book as I read (lots of extraneous details that hinder rather than help, and some clunky habits), the story was compelling enough to keep me reading at a rapid clip.
In present-day end-of-the-millennium, a massive challenge to the accepted theory of gradual evolution threatens the entire human population's ability to understand itself. Bear's managing to take such a high-level view of a medical crisis while focusing on only a few key players is a wonderful feat.
Scientists are by turns thrilled, baffled, supported and challenged, and they don't have enough time to find answers. Politicians are interested in politics, not as much in science (or they might be interested in science, but sometimes only if it reinforces their career). And the general public riots.
Given my recent rantings about people's general inclination to believe what's convenient even if it contradicts what's true (see vaccination hysteria), I found this book to be thoroughly engrossing. Science is the clear winner, here.
The characters are compelling, though I wasn't fully satisfied by the development of some. At times, Bear seemed lazy in his characterizations, and at others he approached the profound. I'd stop there, but I feel I must state this obvious bit: Mr. Bear, there's not a chance in hell Kaye Lang would, at any time, look fiercely into the eyes of someone threatening her and correct their address by saying, "It's *Mrs.* Lang." It's Ms. Lang, no doubt. Or, if the correction must be made, it's *Dr.* Lang.
There's a sequel I hear isn't as extraordinary, but I do plan to read it. For now, I enthusiastically recommend Darwin's Radio to any hard sci-fi fan; anyone interested in evolutionary biology, genetics, anthropology, obstetrics, sociology or mob psychology; and folks who avoid sci-fi because they don't like spaceships and funny names.
Although I had to fight my inclination to edit the book as I read (lots of extraneous details that hinder rather than help, and some clunky habits), the story was compelling enough to keep me reading at a rapid clip.
In present-day end-of-the-millennium, a massive challenge to the accepted theory of gradual evolution threatens the entire human population's ability to understand itself. Bear's managing to take such a high-level view of a medical crisis while focusing on only a few key players is a wonderful feat.
Scientists are by turns thrilled, baffled, supported and challenged, and they don't have enough time to find answers. Politicians are interested in politics, not as much in science (or they might be interested in science, but sometimes only if it reinforces their career). And the general public riots.
Given my recent rantings about people's general inclination to believe what's convenient even if it contradicts what's true (see vaccination hysteria), I found this book to be thoroughly engrossing. Science is the clear winner, here.
The characters are compelling, though I wasn't fully satisfied by the development of some. At times, Bear seemed lazy in his characterizations, and at others he approached the profound. I'd stop there, but I feel I must state this obvious bit: Mr. Bear, there's not a chance in hell Kaye Lang would, at any time, look fiercely into the eyes of someone threatening her and correct their address by saying, "It's *Mrs.* Lang." It's Ms. Lang, no doubt. Or, if the correction must be made, it's *Dr.* Lang.
There's a sequel I hear isn't as extraordinary, but I do plan to read it. For now, I enthusiastically recommend Darwin's Radio to any hard sci-fi fan; anyone interested in evolutionary biology, genetics, anthropology, obstetrics, sociology or mob psychology; and folks who avoid sci-fi because they don't like spaceships and funny names.
adamrshields's review against another edition
3.0
Short review: I found this free at the library and didn't realize it was an abridged book. I hate abridged books, I never know if they cut out the good parts or not. Interesting biological science fiction (near future). Not a great story, but an interesting book. Now I have to decide whether to go back and read the whole book, or just move forward and read the next book in the series.
Full review on my blog at http://bookwi.se/darwins-radio-bear/
Full review on my blog at http://bookwi.se/darwins-radio-bear/
deeparcher's review against another edition
3.0
The science ideas were interesting, but it seemed to take forever to get through the action and the relationships between the characters were awkward.