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grid's review against another edition
4.0
I love Rucker’s wild imagination. There were stretches of this novel that deserve 5 stars, absolutely. But the ending felt a little flat to me (haha!) and there were some other stretches that I would probably only rate a 3. Don’t get me wrong, that’s still a good book, but just not a “favorites” contender.
I’ll read everything Rucker writes, the fiction anyway. and this didn’t disappoint.
I’ll read everything Rucker writes, the fiction anyway. and this didn’t disappoint.
mdpenguin's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
One of the big problems with this book is that it's a bunch of silly nonsense stitched together into an adventure. The best thing about it is that it's a bunch of silly nonsense stitched together into an adventure. I think that the degree to which the reader will get into the grand adventure of silly nonsense will be proportional to their tolerance of the three main characters. I, unfortunately, kind of disliked them. I could sympathize with them enough to enjoy the adventures and the weird ideas that Rucker throws around, but I thought that Zoe was an obnoxious moron, Villy was an vacuous moron, and Scud was just obnoxious. I'd get into it and then there would be a bit of romance or the characters would insult each other and suddenly I'd just feel like the book sucks. But then there would be some cool idea or imagery and I'd be enjoying it again. It was enjoyable enough and better than fair but didn't get too far beyond being a decent read.
david_agranoff's review against another edition
4.0
While I found this book a little long, I love how insanely weird and wild of a ride it is. It is Ruday Rucker so I didn't expect anything less. Full review on the way.
starcrunch's review against another edition
3.0
DNF - This book is super long, and as much as I love Rudy Rucker, I think it could have seriously been edited down. The premise is OK, the storytelling was funny and silly and I was into it, but the characters were just *bleh*. Like, who was Villy? The only two things I can recall about him (and I just read this) was that he is annoyed with his little brother and...he likes surfing?
Also, super nitpicky but he has Dutch and German accents confused. I know everyone thinks they are the same, but I lived in NL for 3 years and can tell you that they are not. So when the alien characters (Lampa or whatever) were doing a "silly Dutch accent" it is German you're lampooning there, ma boy.
I tried to finish it, but it was just too long and I wasn't drawn in. Too many books in this world to read, so onward!
Also, super nitpicky but he has Dutch and German accents confused. I know everyone thinks they are the same, but I lived in NL for 3 years and can tell you that they are not. So when the alien characters (Lampa or whatever) were doing a "silly Dutch accent" it is German you're lampooning there, ma boy.
I tried to finish it, but it was just too long and I wasn't drawn in. Too many books in this world to read, so onward!
annarella's review against another edition
4.0
It's the first book I read by this author and won't be the last.
I appreciated the style of writing and how the characters were written.
The plot is engaging and entertaining, quite fast paced even if the level is not always the same, sometimes it seems to drag on.
A very good book on the whole, I look forward to reading other from this author.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I appreciated the style of writing and how the characters were written.
The plot is engaging and entertaining, quite fast paced even if the level is not always the same, sometimes it seems to drag on.
A very good book on the whole, I look forward to reading other from this author.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine
psalmcat's review against another edition
3.0
What a very strange book! The plot is pretty standard stuff--teenagers on a road trip--except that the road is in a different dimension (?) that sort of tracks with our universe.... It's very weird with lots of strange little (and big) creatures, including live flying saucers. Lots of mechanical and scientific descriptions which was interesting. I felt like I needed to be doing drugs to understand or fully get into the story, but it will probably stick with me.
Probably really great to read if you're into surfing.
Probably really great to read if you're into surfing.
ksparks's review against another edition
3.0
Classic Rudy Rucker--wacky, wildly imaginative, and light-hearted. Young adults going on a road trip through other dimensions. Surfing, music as a propellant, weird aliens and alien babies. It's fun.
annarella's review against another edition
4.0
It's the first book I read by this author and won't be the last.
I appreciated the style of writing and how the characters were written.
The plot is engaging and entertaining, quite fast paced even if the level is not always the same, sometimes it seems to drag on.
A very good book on the whole, I look forward to reading other from this author.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I appreciated the style of writing and how the characters were written.
The plot is engaging and entertaining, quite fast paced even if the level is not always the same, sometimes it seems to drag on.
A very good book on the whole, I look forward to reading other from this author.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine
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