Greg

Exactly what I wanted from this book - a fast-reading, cinematic, campy, dorky technothriller from the 90s.

It's a bit long, but still my favorite thing I've read from Dan Brown.

The enlightened reader would like character motivations that make sense and clear character development but get outta here with that. I want a fake-smart popcorn-flick and this thing DELIVERS. Where's the movie?

A Space Opera, Cyberpunk noir, First Contact Technothriller.

Alastair Reynolds is simply the most imaginative author I've ever read.

As advertised. This book is exactly what the cover-art and title would imply: Michael Crichton-based techno-thriller goodness. Inject this directly into my veins.

This is so much better (read: weirder) than you could've ever imagined. You KNOW there will be a movie. There's a measure of surrealism reading this in the same year as, “Trust” by Hernan Diaz.

More spy/espionage this time around than action/adventure (as compared to the first book). Still funny, still techno-thriller, but perhaps it strayed too far from what made, “Station Breaker” such a page-turning hoot.

A fun Action/Adventure flick. A POV technothriller with enough twists and turns that it resembles an adult Choose Your Own Adventure story. The dialogue is quippy, but by design - it's meant to be fun/funny. After reading a couple Matthew Woodring Stover books, I recognize that a part of me just likes to read, “Die Hard” in novel format.

For Fans Of: Ready Player One (the book, not the awful movie)

Being a bit generous here because of the poignancy of the overarching theme.

Impressive display of techno-thriller/sci-fi wizardry with a bit of heart to boot. Makes me wonder as an American reader, what other books I've missed from this author. Obviously talented with a great imagination, hopefully there are more English translated works to come.

FFO: Michael Crichton, Cixin Liu

I am in love with this book. Such talented writing. Such big ideas yet grounded in granite-hard science fiction. I regretted watching the hours and minutes dwindling on my audiobook app. as the story unfolded. I could've stayed inside this novel for weeks and months.

For Fans Of: The Three Body Problem, Project Hail Mary, Ad Astra (film), 2001: A Space Odyssey

*2.5 stars

Fascinating account of someone's life and career that is so foreign to the average person, it may as well had been science fiction. Written with such heart, detail, and suspense, I'm a little sad she doesn't have more books for me to read (afterall, the woman only has one life).

Alastair Reynolds' boundless imagination is his superpower. This book is one mind-bending concept, after mind-boggling idea, after neato premise, after another. I first read, “Revelation Space” and was ready to give up on Reynolds as I quite disliked that novel (despite its universal praise). Now I realize that he was just getting his feet underneath him in Revelation Space and his best was yet to come - I'm glad I gave him another chance.

Matthew Woodring Stover is a virtuoso musician who has chosen Technical Brutal Death Metal for his chosen method of expression. This was absolutely pummeling.

I'm confused why this series doesn't have a larger cult following, impact, or influence on the genre. Where is the praise/derision that this series should have left in it's wake?

I am dumbfounded that this was published in 1961. I would've been impressed had you told me it was 1981. With that said, this is one of those books where I enjoy the discussion, analysis, and art more than the book itself. Such a great concept. I would love for others to continue this; there's so much more to do here. More, please.

This book has the time honored pitfall of Cyberpunk tales in that it presents a ton of uniquely bizarre concepts and ideas but is unable to deliver on a compelling story - which is unfortunate because the author established such a great platform to build upon. The story really falls apart in the third act, adding insult to injury for those who were patiently waiting.

I initially rated this 4/5 because I found myself frustrated with a recurring theme in the story but I've had a change of heart. If that exasperation I felt was intended by the author, and this story was simply performing upon its intended function for the reader, then this is a 5/5. A deceptivley layered novel for what is categorized as a rom com/romance novel.