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kalleq's review against another edition
4.0
This is very enjoyable reading. Science, politics, and very interesting characters. He has taken the climate change forecasts and woven a very interesting near future tale. Maybe more alternative present day tale as it was written before 2007. Some scenarios have come to pass. National Science Foundation, senatorial and presidential politics, genetic engineering, surveillance state, there is plenty keep the interest. This is the second in the "Science in the Capitol" trilogy.
neglet's review against another edition
I enjoyed this one a little more than the previous book in the series, probably because it had a little more action and my expectations weren't too far off from what the book delivered. Still, I found the main character a bit eccentric, maybe unbelievable, but the themes and ideas in the book were pretty interesting. I'm curious how the final book in the series will stack up.
tsharris's review against another edition
4.0
Chilling (pun intended) depiction of rapid climate change in Washington DC. Despite having been written a decade or so ago, seems to capture the present moment extremely well. Broken politics, paranoia about out-of-control surveillance, extreme weather events - the only difference is that KSR may have been too optimistic about possibilities for collective action.
nitar8's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
canadajanes's review against another edition
2.0
Meh. Maybe slightly more interesting than the last one, but still doesn't know what it is. I really don't understand why there is a spy plot going on in the midst of climate drama, science, and politics. It just doesn't fit.
adrianlarose's review against another edition
2.0
Overall plot arc is a bit lacking and characters other than the main few characters are towards the caraciatural or stereotypical type. Still an interesting "clifi" read, esp. if you are interested in political and power dynamics aspects of clifi from an American perspective.
mschlat's review against another edition
5.0
I'll be honest --- it's tough for me to be objective about this book. There's a great deal of Liberal Scientist living-off-the-grid-and-saving-the-world porn here, and I like almost all of it. (As I've mentioned before, Frank Vanderwal is one of my favorite fictional characters.) But here's a bit of critical reflection.
1) Between my first read and now, I've delved more into Buddhism and climate change, and I appreciate even more Robinson's takes on both. I think his Buddhism is a little light on philosophy and a little too supernatural, but the book has some nice takes on the reincarnation of leaders like the Dalai Lama. And the climate descriptions remain outstanding. It is frightening to read descriptions written in 2005 that feel like 2017.
2) I feel like the book drags a bit in the middle. Robinson never just does infodumps, but he has a lot he wants to get across about science and politics, and it takes a while to develop all of it, sometimes to the detriment of plot.
3) When you read the first volume, you get a sense of an ensemble cast, with the Quibler family showing aspects of the NSF, presidential politics, and the perils of raising a toddler. A lot of that fades in this volume, and as much as I love Frank, I missed that emphasis.
But, despite any issues, you still get Frank living in a tree and working at the NSF to change the world. Pretty damn awesome.
1) Between my first read and now, I've delved more into Buddhism and climate change, and I appreciate even more Robinson's takes on both. I think his Buddhism is a little light on philosophy and a little too supernatural, but the book has some nice takes on the reincarnation of leaders like the Dalai Lama. And the climate descriptions remain outstanding. It is frightening to read descriptions written in 2005 that feel like 2017.
2) I feel like the book drags a bit in the middle. Robinson never just does infodumps, but he has a lot he wants to get across about science and politics, and it takes a while to develop all of it, sometimes to the detriment of plot.
3) When you read the first volume, you get a sense of an ensemble cast, with the Quibler family showing aspects of the NSF, presidential politics, and the perils of raising a toddler. A lot of that fades in this volume, and as much as I love Frank, I missed that emphasis.
But, despite any issues, you still get Frank living in a tree and working at the NSF to change the world. Pretty damn awesome.
blevins's review against another edition
3.0
Second book in KSR's eco-trilogy. Lots of science and weather talk--almost too much to be honest. I've read lots of Robinson (his Mars trilogy is AMAZING! Best series of books I've ever read about going to Mars and creating a civilization) so that wasn't a real surprise. Anxious to read the third book in 2007.
crostonk's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-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? No
4.75
Great book, KSR is excellent.