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mal_eficent's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
4.0
I picked this up randomly, haven't read any of the other books, and was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this. Robinson's writing is very description, and the way he handles 'beyond description' topics was a different from other ways I've read before. I wanted to give this a try because the topic reminded me of some of the events in <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/203288#">The Ship Who Sang</a> (if you've read that, you'll know) and it didn't disappoint in its philosophical approach to becoming part of something bigger.
That said, there are some very dated descriptions of people in here. I get that Robinson might not have intended the descriptions to be racist, but in 2023 they read as very insensitive and othering. (The book's also supposed to be set in 2020...) Kirra and Robert are described in a deliberately 'exotic' (oof) way even though they're described as beautiful/handsome and shown to be some of the most competent characters. I can't speak for the depictions of whole cultures as I don't know what the stereotypes of the time were, but there are definitely some there that read as insensitive as well (Chinese and Muslim cultures specifically).
If you're looking for a short, older sci fi that has a more individual approach to living in space than, say, The Expanse, this might be one to pick up if you can find it. The ending is a bit...strange, and not the same tone as the rest of the story, but I don't think it ruins it, and you can definitely read this without reading any of the other books in this series.
That said, there are some very dated descriptions of people in here. I get that Robinson might not have intended the descriptions to be racist, but in 2023 they read as very insensitive and othering. (The book's also supposed to be set in 2020...) Kirra and Robert are described in a deliberately 'exotic' (oof) way even though they're described as beautiful/handsome and shown to be some of the most competent characters. I can't speak for the depictions of whole cultures as I don't know what the stereotypes of the time were, but there are definitely some there that read as insensitive as well (Chinese and Muslim cultures specifically).
If you're looking for a short, older sci fi that has a more individual approach to living in space than, say, The Expanse, this might be one to pick up if you can find it. The ending is a bit...strange, and not the same tone as the rest of the story, but I don't think it ruins it, and you can definitely read this without reading any of the other books in this series.
satyridae's review
3.0
I enjoy listening to Spider Robinson read his own stuff. Not every author can pull it off, but Spider can.
This is an engrossing and mostly good follow-up to the inimitable Stardance. There are broad similarities in plot, and one can see bits of Callahan's here too. She says vaguely, not wanting to have to check the spoiler box.
It's a little too tidy, the ending, but not so tidy as to completely demolish what went before.
This is an engrossing and mostly good follow-up to the inimitable Stardance. There are broad similarities in plot, and one can see bits of Callahan's here too. She says vaguely, not wanting to have to check the spoiler box.
It's a little too tidy, the ending, but not so tidy as to completely demolish what went before.
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