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rocketiza's review against another edition
3.0
Writing style was definitely dated, I started losing interest in the middle but it got brought back for a strong end.
whippycleric's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
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? Yes
4.5
Rarely does a sequel live up to the original, but in this case it surpassed it quite significantly. I've read a few Pohl novels now and they're always good, but this is a great one. The amount of plot crammed into this relatively short book is immense yet it still doesn't feel rushed. The journey of Tenny is an epic roller-coaster of emotions, built in a dystopian world, peppered with comedy throughout. Part of why this sequel manages to be better than the original when many don't its because it's not a sequel with the same characters, just the same world, and it's more of a retelling of the original but worth improvements. The characters and the plot are more engaging than the first and I can't wait to pick up another Pohl novel. The only reason it's not 5 stars is I wanted more, once I was truely invested it ended too quickly, it's a good negative to have though. I have his "The world at the end of time" 4.5 stars and I can't rate this higher so it sits at 4.5. For context I gave the original space merchants 3.5 starts.
skylar2's review against another edition
4.0
Like all the best satire, Merchant's War stays close to the truth and explores how following a "greed is good" philosophy to its absurd extreme would look. At times, I was waiting for the Ferengi Rules of Acquisition to be brought out.
ajali's review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
larsinio's review against another edition
5.0
better than the space merchants. characters were much better, satire more satirical. Plot not really predictable
you think its going to be a rehash of the old book, but it really goes in much different directions.
ending reminded me a bit of the diamond age.
still probably too short, but this book definitely achieved what it set out to do - a thoroughly enjoyable scifi satire in an ultra-capitalist universe.
RIP Frederik Pohl
you think its going to be a rehash of the old book, but it really goes in much different directions.
ending reminded me a bit of the diamond age.
still probably too short, but this book definitely achieved what it set out to do - a thoroughly enjoyable scifi satire in an ultra-capitalist universe.
RIP Frederik Pohl
bruc79's review
3.0
Um excelente final, mas um pouco fastidioso até chegar lá. Os publicitários q façam uma cuidada introspecção sobre os exageros q por vezes cometem. A lei do quem sobrevive é o mais forte nesta selva urbana continua a ser cada vez mais uma realidade, especialmente em tempos de crise económica severa
sexton_blake's review
5.0
THE SPACE MERCHANTS, by Pohl and Kornbluth, is an all time classic satirical SF novel. Thirty years after its publication, Pohl wrote this sequel and, wow, he really delivered. As excellent as the original novel is, THE MERCHANT’S WAR is better. The satire bites harder, the plot speeds along without once flagging, and the protagonist is engaging and, initially, wonderfully faulted. The story of his rise, fall, and rise is brilliantly told, and the commercial world in which it occurs is really well crafted. I loved everything about this book except its lousy cover. A Google image search reveals that ALL its editions have lousy covers. I suppose that's quite ironic, considering the story concerns advertising and marketing.
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