This all comes together in a perfect mix of humor, action and suspense. Each book moves the story forward in some way and adds another layer of detail but contains the same great ingredients. Just thoroughly enjoyable novellas.
Tag - Science fiction
It was interesting enough that I kept reading but just didn't quite grab me. Perhaps it is not quite my genre; a little too much romance and family drama for my tastes. Plus. lots of interesting philosophical questions bouncing around but not a lot of answers and at the expense of the plot and character development.
I found it interesting but sort of meandering; a giant thought experiment with some intriguing characters and a good hook but that never quite gets beyond a desultory pace or energy. Despite the "bombshell" at the end, not sure I have the energy to tackle the second book.
I am somewhat torn as to my reaction. I really enjoyed it for about 75% but then it felt like it was dragging a bit. But no sooner had I begun to feel that, it cranked up the tension and I stayed up late to finish it. I guess I am more on the positive (some nearly gushing) reviews spectrum than I am on the negative. But, perhaps because I am not all that knowledgeable about science fiction or speculative fiction, I can't quite see the profound and literary masterpiece some have found.
A creative and thought provoking science fiction/fantasy novella with some well done characters. Have to wonder what it could have been at standard novel length though ...
Entertainingly exemplifying the maxim that "All diplomacy is a continuation of war by other means," The Human Division is the type of intelligently crafted and inventive military-political science fiction that reminds us that though we might be able to pinpoint a genre's takeoff point, nobody can predict how far it will fly.
One of the ways I attempt to prevent my book addiction from bankrupting me is by picking up books at library sales and clearance sections. You get the job of buying a book with a lot lower cost. One such pick-up was The Merchant and the Alchemist’s Gate by Ted Chiang. Seemed like a good fit for me: short novella set in exotic location with a philosophical/religious bent. Here is the blurb: In medieval Baghdad, a penniless man is brought before the most powerful man in the world, the...
One of the ways I attempt to prevent my book addiction from bankrupting me is by picking up books at library sales and clearance sections. You get the job of buying a book with a lot lower cost. One such pick-up was The Merchant and the Alchemist’s Gate by Ted Chiang. Seemed like a good fit for me: short novella set in exotic location with a philosophical/religious bent. Here is the blurb: In medieval Baghdad, a penniless man is brought before the most powerful man in the world, the...
I really enjoyed this quirky post-apocalyptic series. It is rather spare and lacks much action but the concept is intriguing enough and the author manages to carry a great deal of suspense and tension.
