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noamberg's review
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
jodihannah's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I really enjoyed this book. It was surprising, too, to see McCarthy grow so much as an author between books 1 and 2. Book one was... awkward. The characters weren't as well developed and the plot felt a little off kilter. But this book. It was amazing. The subtlety in both the plot and the characters was striking. The plot itself was unique, and had parallels to so many components of today's society. From the miscommunication between genders based almost entirely on emerging technology, to the exile of an entire generation of children, I found the parallels almost startling. This was truly an excellent novel of our times (even though it was written in the early aughts and here it's already 2023!)
thestarman's review against another edition
RATING: 2+ suns. Fantasy, not science fiction.
REVIEW: Tedious immortal-ish teen angst + magical nano-matter to solve all* problems = YAWN.
* And I mean ALL problems -- even, sort of.
BONUS POINTS FOR:
DEMERITS FOR:
-- When no one can "die," any attempts at tension are wasted.
-- This is Book 2 of a series, apparently. This was NOT mentioned on the front or back cover, nor elsewhere. There was only the vague mention of another book (Collapsium) set in the same universe. This is a fail in marketing and information. (Perhaps your copy of the book is updated and more accurately presented?)
-- Lots of other things I won't bore you with. But if you like your "science" fiction pretty silly and fantastical, this may be a fun book for you.
REVIEW: Tedious immortal-ish teen angst + magical nano-matter to solve all* problems = YAWN.
* And I mean ALL problems -- even
Spoiler
deathBONUS POINTS FOR:
Spoiler
Character XMary was the only light here (and the only female character of much consequence). She was far more interesting than the idiotic farting & fighting boys. Sadly, XMary got insufficient page time.DEMERITS FOR:
Spoiler
-- When no one can "die," any attempts at tension are wasted.
-- This is Book 2 of a series, apparently. This was NOT mentioned on the front or back cover, nor elsewhere. There was only the vague mention of another book (Collapsium) set in the same universe. This is a fail in marketing and information. (Perhaps your copy of the book is updated and more accurately presented?)
-- Lots of other things I won't bore you with. But if you like your "science" fiction pretty silly and fantastical, this may be a fun book for you.
tome15's review against another edition
4.0
McCarthy, Wil. The Wellstone. Queendom of Sol No. 2. Spectra 2003.
This is a reasonably close sequel to The Collapsium. It raises the question of what to do with rebellious youth in a post-human, post-scarcity world. Answer: Send them to Camp Friendly, a high-tech gulag in deep space. After that, we have to guess whether it is going to be Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn or Lord of the Flies. For me, it was a bit hard to get into, but it got better as it went along. 4 stars.
This is a reasonably close sequel to The Collapsium. It raises the question of what to do with rebellious youth in a post-human, post-scarcity world. Answer: Send them to Camp Friendly, a high-tech gulag in deep space. After that, we have to guess whether it is going to be Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn or Lord of the Flies. For me, it was a bit hard to get into, but it got better as it went along. 4 stars.
froggye9dcc's review
5.0
One of my all time favorites. I have read this series many times. So bittersweet.
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