"Alternated between exciting and dull"
Maybe, but I'm not going and looking for one. I was not as impressed as I expected to be.
I liked the snouts struggle to understand humanity and I liked the military and political conflicts, but I really didn't care about most of the characters.
Wes Dosson
Yes, definitely.
The core story was good, but I was just plain bored a lot of the time. The subplots were not very exciting.
"Much Better than Reviews Indicate"
No idea. I have only listened to the audio and not read the book.
This is definitely in the military sci-fi genre, but both the time period (near future) and the political elements make this series a bit more unique.
The space battle that takes place at the book's climax is very good of course, but I also very much enjoyed getting a peak at the enemy viewpoints. I hop the series continues to show us how the Rangora see things.
It remains true of this book, as others in the series, that the author is heavy handed with his political views and some might even be offended by some of his themes. He takes the idea of American exceptionalism and pumps it up to a galactic scale. Even when I agree with some of the authors basic ideas I found them a bit off-putting. Still, the book is very good and worth the time. Unlike others, I found the cultural plot with Parker to be very interesting and even exciting.
"Nice addition to the series"
Yes, despite the fact that many readers seem to have not enjoyed the book, I found it to be an interesting read. Book four, in many ways, is the conclusion of the series, but this addendum is worth your time. It's neat to take a leap into the future and see how history develops. Yes, the comparison to Moromonism is strong and the book can be preachy, but if you can let all that go you'll find a good story.
I was curious how Card would develop the Keeper of Earth. He leaves some mystery in place, but the Keeper is more developed here than in any other book.
The vivid dream given by the Keeper the to our favorite Star Master is good.
The whole series has caused me to look for similar themes in other books.
The book is a bit slow to start and all the names are hard to follow. Also, the large leaps in time add to the confusion. Still, I don't regret the read at all.
"Biblical Scale Fantacy - Science Fiction Adventure"
I love the essence of the story. I have always enjoyed stories with a grand scale in which the characters soar. This has the feel of a coming of age story, but the young man in question has the ability to alter the world in which he comes of age. Yes, the ground Card covers here is familiar and I get why many reviewers don't love the book, but I enjoyed it fully! Don't expect to read something like you've never read before - you won't find it here. However, if you go along for the ride you will be pleased. If you know biblical history you'll be even more pleased. There is not an exact parallel. This is not a re-telling of the Old Testament, but many of the themes are the same. Certainly, the Oversoul is NOT the God of the bible, but you won't be able to help making comparisons.
Njafai is the easy (and obvious) choice, but many of the charactes are likeable. The players in this tale are almost never all bad or all good. Even some of the villians have a sympathetic side.
I have never listened to the narrator before, but he does a great job. He has a very deep voice that, at times, sounds godlike. Well done.
The future is our past.
"Going Downhill Fast"
I'm not ready to abandon David Weber, but I am very disappointed. I may abandon this series though.
The lack of plot progress and the endless discussion of technology and geography. A few key discussion would be fun, but I started to feel like a history student. Also, there got to be so many characters and plot threads that I lost track. Worse, I didn't really care about most of them anyway n
The narrator was fine. Nothing special, but acceptable. I think some of the other reviewers were a bit hard on him.
The endless technology discussions and troop movement discussions and geography discussions -- you get the point. It was talk, talk, talk and we needed action.
This series could have been so awesome! I am just frustrated that the potential has been wasted.
"Intresting Idea"
Supernatural Historical Adventure
In some ways it has much in common with Ben Hur or The Robe. The book certainly has a christian viewpoint. It reminds me of the Indiana Jones movies too. It has the adventurous feel of Indiana Jones, but is set during the Biblical time frame.
I was intrigued by the young Pilite; there is another story there.
I would not call my reaction extreme. It was often humerous and had a nice flow.
This was not as good as Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter, but was still a good book and the narrator does a good job.
"Great Book"
Anyone who has been a science fiction (space opera and Star Trek specificlly, but any science fiction fan will do) fan will appriciate this book. The author uses well worn science fiction plots and devices in fresh ways. He is able to similtaneously pay omage and poke fun at the genere. While making you laugh out loud, he also manages to pose some thought provoking questions. The book is read by Will Wheaton, which is very fitting indeed, and he does a great job with the material. The author does overuse the common so-and-so said way to much in his dialogue. It probably would not be noticed in the written version, but it is a bit distracting in the audio version. Other than that small critique I give it an unabashed recommendation!