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amandadee's review
5.0
**I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
I'm going to skip the recap and go straight for the review here. I very much enjoyed this book! I can see why it's been compared to the Martian as there is a good deal of geeked out science in it. I will have to assume the World War Z similarities are there since I have not yet read the book, only seen the movie.
The entire book is written in a series of interviews, a few journal entries and a news story or two. And I found it quite brilliant. The story unfolded with these interviews at a page turning pace, jumping from one perspective to another flawlessly. Even in this interview format the core characters were well developed and their relationships with each other, and the way their personalities challenged each other, really came through. I found myself intrigued by the mysterious interviewer. Who is he? Who does he report to? Just how many strings is he puppeting? This book has everything from science, to politics, mythology, aliens and conspiracies. It unravels something bigger than what anyone imagined going in to it and opens up so many new questions along the way. And the ending? I was fully expecting the cliffhanger we're left with. I don't even mind that I thought it predictable; I would have been more upset had it not happened.
I'm going to skip the recap and go straight for the review here. I very much enjoyed this book! I can see why it's been compared to the Martian as there is a good deal of geeked out science in it. I will have to assume the World War Z similarities are there since I have not yet read the book, only seen the movie.
The entire book is written in a series of interviews, a few journal entries and a news story or two. And I found it quite brilliant. The story unfolded with these interviews at a page turning pace, jumping from one perspective to another flawlessly. Even in this interview format the core characters were well developed and their relationships with each other, and the way their personalities challenged each other, really came through. I found myself intrigued by the mysterious interviewer. Who is he? Who does he report to? Just how many strings is he puppeting? This book has everything from science, to politics, mythology, aliens and conspiracies. It unravels something bigger than what anyone imagined going in to it and opens up so many new questions along the way. And the ending? I was fully expecting the cliffhanger we're left with. I don't even mind that I thought it predictable; I would have been more upset had it not happened.
saradi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
pipinghotbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
midwifereading's review
4.0
Holy. Moly.
First of all, I was hesitant when I found out the narrative structure of this book is primarily made up of interviews with a nameless man and some journal entries from other characters. I even thought I might put it down at one point. It didn't take long for the story to dig its fingers into me and hang on, though. I changed my mind and kept reading. I had to.
The nameless man. I don't know why, but his character is the root of all suspense in this story. I am not sure how, but he is more interesting to me than the massive robot the story is centered on! He is fascinating and infuriating. If I get through the next two books (and 1/2 book pdfs) without getting to finally meet him, I will lose it.
This book is why I love sci-fi. It's not the most incredible book I have read, but that doesn't matter, because the story is well-executed, the premise is intriguing, and the characters very human. Except that weird eyebrowless guy -- I am pretty sure he isn't exactly human...
Some moments are pretty farfetched, but somehow still make sense in the context we're forced into. I am looking forward to finding out where this goes. Good thing I am 2nd in the queue for both of the other books!
First of all, I was hesitant when I found out the narrative structure of this book is primarily made up of interviews with a nameless man and some journal entries from other characters. I even thought I might put it down at one point. It didn't take long for the story to dig its fingers into me and hang on, though. I changed my mind and kept reading. I had to.
The nameless man. I don't know why, but his character is the root of all suspense in this story. I am not sure how, but he is more interesting to me than the massive robot the story is centered on! He is fascinating and infuriating. If I get through the next two books (and 1/2 book pdfs) without getting to finally meet him, I will lose it.
This book is why I love sci-fi. It's not the most incredible book I have read, but that doesn't matter, because the story is well-executed, the premise is intriguing, and the characters very human. Except that weird eyebrowless guy -- I am pretty sure he isn't exactly human...
Some moments are pretty farfetched, but somehow still make sense in the context we're forced into. I am looking forward to finding out where this goes. Good thing I am 2nd in the queue for both of the other books!
thehal's review against another edition
1.0
DNF p.46
I really got through some really bad books, but never did I put one of them down so fast (I wanted to throw it out of the window actually)...
Don't get me wrong, I loved the idea and premise of this. Also I normally don't have anything against interview focused novels. But oh boy... This was just a pile of (unnessessary) informations, and in my eyes - the eyes of someone who is nearly finished with their linguistic and literature studies - very poorly written. I couldn't get past a few chapters, which I am kinda sorry for, because I really wanted to keep on going even though I don't like it, so I can write a proper review about the whole thing, but I just can't. Maybe some day, but as for now, this will be put on my rare dnf-pile, and I'll go read a nice book instead..
I really got through some really bad books, but never did I put one of them down so fast (I wanted to throw it out of the window actually)...
Don't get me wrong, I loved the idea and premise of this. Also I normally don't have anything against interview focused novels. But oh boy... This was just a pile of (unnessessary) informations, and in my eyes - the eyes of someone who is nearly finished with their linguistic and literature studies - very poorly written. I couldn't get past a few chapters, which I am kinda sorry for, because I really wanted to keep on going even though I don't like it, so I can write a proper review about the whole thing, but I just can't. Maybe some day, but as for now, this will be put on my rare dnf-pile, and I'll go read a nice book instead..
ceruleancow's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0