Benbarian

I've read most of Banks's work by now, and this is a little underwhelming. After the depth and breadth of Surface Detail, this leaves me feeling a little cold. Banks as always paints sweeping vistas of alien awesomeness and really digs in with amazing concepts and high tech culture. But one doesn't ever really like his characters, only the Minds seem to have any depth to them.

It won't be the last Banks i read, he does keep me hooked enough to continue. But I hope they get better rather than worse from here.

This was ok. Kept my ears busy, put pretty pictures of moon bases and telescopes and stuff in my mind's eye. Characters were human. Not much thought went into the idea of living on the moon though, there were all kinds of opportunities for awesome details about the hardships and difficulties of a permanent moon colony, that were conveniently ignored. Having read Red Mars (Kim Stanley Robbinson) this was frustratingly shallow. But it entertained me, and I'll probably read more of Mr Bova's works.

I read this because Steven Erikson mentioned it was one of his inspiration. And I can see why, there are many elements that led to Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen. The difference is that Erikson is a brilliant story teller. Cook, not so much. It was an entertaining read, with some very interesting military fantasy elements, I think he started a genre here in some ways. But the story is just so shallow, you never really get into the characters. It's written like a first person account that was written in the Annals of the Black Company, so that justifies the lack of detail, but I still missed it, the book would have been so much stronger if it was written with more emphasis on description and maybe some other character's POVs. I might listen to the rest of the series if I've got nothing better to read, but I'm not going to go out of my way I don' think. If you've tried this, you're gong to love Steven Erikson, esp the first few books of his Malazan series

This is certainly entertaining, and the narration is great. But I'd rather read a Pratchett. All the bits of this individually make for entertainment, it's just that all together they don't stand out as anything vaguely new or novel. Everything has been done before, better. Didn't finish it.

Excellent story, even better than the first in the series. Full of action, adventure, well written dialogue and quips galore. I love the schemes and plots the Gentlemen Bastards think up. The world is so well realized and detailed. The narration is perfect, you never hear anything but the author's voice.

I would give it more stars if I had anywhere to stick them.

This was better than expected. Definitely young adult reading, but entertaining and engaging. I'll watch the movie next, and will probably read the next one too. But don't expect deep or meaty or chewy or even Hans Solo

Excellent! One of the best fantasy novels I've read in a a long time. Even more enjoyable than The Name of the Wind by Rothfuss. Likeable and realistic characters in "a wonderfully realised world" (George RR Martin). I doubt I'll be able to resist starting the sequel tonight.

I wish more fantasy lived up this!

A little shallow, not a very deep or well thought out plot, but definitely very entertaining and engaging. I'll watch the movie next, and will probably read the next one too. But don't expect deep or meaty or chewy or even Hans Solo. Try Ender's Game instead?

Wow. What an interesting look into an autistic mind. I'm not sure how accurate it is, but I believe it to be helpful either way. Well written, human characters, mundane, but strangely fascinating. Interesting near future tech. I will give more Moons ago

Funny, unexpected, violent

Friendly. Slightly autistic, fanatical number counter, vicious killer, very different and refreshing view on the way the world works.

All of them. Nicomo Cosca, Monza, Shivers esp! Pacey is an excellent narrator, made it a very enjoyable experience.

This was a good read, maybe a little longer and more convoluted than necessary, but excellent after the long haul. I enjoyed the Bloody Nine's book a little more, but he has come into his own as a writer in this volume. There where a few times when I almost put it down and didn't pick it up again, and spent about 2 weeks without reading any of it. However I am glad I finished it. His characters are all well rounded and surprising. I really enjoy his very unexpected little twists and turns. Great irony, great characters./ Friendly was an especially enjoyable character.

Well worth a read.