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jennutley's review against another edition
4.0
Okay, the love story part of this book should have made my rating only 3 stars, but I loved the premise so much that I decided to be generous.
It is the future. Dr. Zeus (also known as "The Company") has invented time travel. And in order to prove they could travel through time, they invented immortality too. Immortality, though, comes with a price. Cyborg transformation, anyone?
And time travel is really expensive. But it can also be quite lucrative when you have agents working on your behalf to acquire wealth, knowledge, soon-to-be endangered plants and animals, and lost works of art for you. Don't try to change the past though. If the past is recorded, you can't monkey with it. Luckily, there is plenty that happened in the past that no one bothered to write down.
This first novel takes place during the Spanish Inquisition and the reign of Mary I (Bloody Mary). Holy crap, did I stumble into yet another Tudor historical novel without even knowing it?
Once again, didn't much care for the love story part but really loved the history part.
Thanks for the recommendation Adele.
It is the future. Dr. Zeus (also known as "The Company") has invented time travel. And in order to prove they could travel through time, they invented immortality too. Immortality, though, comes with a price. Cyborg transformation, anyone?
And time travel is really expensive. But it can also be quite lucrative when you have agents working on your behalf to acquire wealth, knowledge, soon-to-be endangered plants and animals, and lost works of art for you. Don't try to change the past though. If the past is recorded, you can't monkey with it. Luckily, there is plenty that happened in the past that no one bothered to write down.
This first novel takes place during the Spanish Inquisition and the reign of Mary I (Bloody Mary). Holy crap, did I stumble into yet another Tudor historical novel without even knowing it?
Once again, didn't much care for the love story part but really loved the history part.
Thanks for the recommendation Adele.
brdgtc's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating concept and well researched (without being pedantic). Not necessarily a great plot or inspired writing, but overall a very readable combination of sci-fi and history.
rebeccacider's review against another edition
3.0
A secret cabal of high-tech cyborgs with instructions from the future, operating throughout all of human history: beat that as a science fiction premise.
I did feel the plot, engaging and moving as it was, had enough material for a short story, not a novel. But it's a debut, and I will definitely pick up more volumes in this series.
Recommended to fans of Connie Willis!
I did feel the plot, engaging and moving as it was, had enough material for a short story, not a novel. But it's a debut, and I will definitely pick up more volumes in this series.
Recommended to fans of Connie Willis!
jrc2011's review against another edition
3.0
Another Goodreads user starts off his reviews of "The Company" books calling out the genre that the author is imitating -- I think "hello, historical romance" and "waste of a perfectly good cyborg" (a different reviewer) just about sum it up.
This was a fun and quick read -- but basically a sci-fi fantasy with a mention of time travel as a device to excuse omniscience of some of the characters. It leaves a lot open to interpretation and I think that it would prove a fantastic basis for film or tv series. If you like historical fiction mashed up with scifi - you'll enjoy this! Great "beach read."
This was a fun and quick read -- but basically a sci-fi fantasy with a mention of time travel as a device to excuse omniscience of some of the characters. It leaves a lot open to interpretation and I think that it would prove a fantastic basis for film or tv series. If you like historical fiction mashed up with scifi - you'll enjoy this! Great "beach read."
sillypunk's review against another edition
3.0
Meh: http://blogendorff.ghost.io/book-review-in-the-garden-of-iden/
elusivity's review against another edition
4.0
Quite an interesting premise for immortality, with humorous bits in between. The main character, Mendoza, however, is somewhat whiny, and could grate upon the nerves.ยด
Also, it was strange to read this--the first of a long series--while the author was laid upon her deathbed. Definitely affected my level of appreciation for this book...
Also, it was strange to read this--the first of a long series--while the author was laid upon her deathbed. Definitely affected my level of appreciation for this book...
ginnikin's review against another edition
3.0
This is an interesting concept: future scientists discover a way to make immortals (with a wide range of "powers" *eyeroll*) and travel back in time to do so. Mendoza is rescued from the Inquisition in just such a fashion. Interesting so far. Unfortunately, it didn't really hold up for me beyond the introduction. There's love, tragedy, religion & intolerance, and then loss. *shrug* Also, the first person memoir style sets the whole thing up as a doomed enterprise (not that immortal + mortal has ever been anything but in fiction) from the start.
It really plays on the fear of aging and dying, which didn't endear it to me, either.
Still, an entertaining enough read. It sets up a sequel (probably several: history is a long time, don'tcha know).
It really plays on the fear of aging and dying, which didn't endear it to me, either.
Still, an entertaining enough read. It sets up a sequel (probably several: history is a long time, don'tcha know).
counterfetti's review against another edition
dark
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Mendoza and Joseph are by far the most interesting dynamic in the book - but the tragedy hit well too