nguyen_vy's review against another edition

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adventurous informative inspiring medium-paced

4.0

ktitus25's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious relaxing tense 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

3.75

lanou_u's review against another edition

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adventurous fast-paced

3.0

Yma propaganda

irfansyahril's review against another edition

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inspiring slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

cloramagone's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective slow-paced

5.0

sjlee's review against another edition

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5.0

Perhaps the greatest thing we could ever discover as a species is another world filled with life in a complicated ecosystem. Science fiction has been rooted in the notion of exploring new worlds for over a century. Like a classic naturalist text Barlowe creates a world and explores various animals, plants and their interactions.

A joint human-alien team travels to the planet of Darwin IV. The visit seems like an incredible opportunity for human redemption. In Barlowe's fiction humanity has poisoned the planet earth and lost much of its biodiversity, especially large animals.

Barlowe plays the role of an artist sent along the expedition to capture the natural beauty of the planet and its life. The book is supposed to be his in-fiction sketches and pictures. The images are accompanied by anecdotes and observations on animal behaviour and speculation about how life on the planet works.

Barlowe creates an incredible world of lush, strange and bizarre animals. It's hard not to look at the collection of life and feel they are grounded in reality. Sometimes I have questions about the realism of the world, particularly the locomotion of the animals in certain cases. Still, the beauty of Darwin IV and this book is in the creativity and the imagination. For those who have dreamed of visiting an alien world and exploring the life there, this book is a perfect fit for you.

danidys21's review against another edition

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4.0

An admirable book that presents the sheer power of imagination, brought to life with great talent. The focus is definitely the beautiful artwork of these strange creatures but there is a loose story thread that goes through with anecdotes of encounters with the animals but it isn't exactly a page turner. Still, worth the time for the ideas and creatures brought to life.

jonbar94's review against another edition

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5.0

A beautiful immersion into an alien world; I was not expecting Barlowe to be such a great writer as well. His artwork and sketches hit the nail in the coffin, and you have no choice but to live inside this extraterrestrial space.
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