Consider Phlebas
by Iain M. Banks
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Book Reviews of Consider Phlebas
Book Review: Great from beginning to end, almost.
Summary: 4 Stars
This book is a great space opera. Loads of actions, plot twists, and character shake-ups. I enjoyed reading it to the very end. It's in the end that the book, to me, disappoints the reader, us. The ending is so anti-climatic. The book steered me into a certain direction that I was guessing, anticipating a great, possibly fantastic ending; instead I was left with a "WTF" frame of mind. Did Mr Banks have a due date on this that he ended it the way he did? I know that this was his first forray into SF, but still, I hope his next book that I intend to read, and yes I will read the next one, will pay off where this book didn't. Good read but the end was away from the story.Book Review: Doesn't appeal to all sci-fi fans
Summary: 1 Stars
I bought this book based on the reviews here, and I got halfway through but couldn't finish it. I understand many people enjoy it, but for me it was poorly written both at the detail level and the overall story level. I didn't care about any of the characters, I didn't find most of the situations to be believable by sci-fi standards, and I didn't find any new ideas in it. I do like sci fi, especially classics: Azimov's Foundation Trilogy, Heinlein's Starship Troopers, and Vinge's The Witling. Good sci fi makes me want to visit the universe they describe and learn more about the alien races and technology. This book didn't inspire any of that curiosity in me.Book Review: Flawed sience fiction
Summary: 2 Stars
I'm dissapointed...
I relied on the positive reviews here on amazon for my first SF novel, but instead of a thought provoking tale I got mundane social struggles in a Sci-Fi setting. This book is about war, the people that fight it and their motivations.
In the end the story was quite standard with romance and a lots of action (tiresomely so), few twists and even though the ending was unconventional, it was expected long before getting there.
Overall I'm unimpressed and I'm hoping "Player of games" (which I got with this one) is a lot better.
- Update: "Player of Games" delivers!
Book Review: Very entertaining introduction to the culture.
Summary: 4 Stars
I was not thrilled with the ending due to what happens to a character but it certainly lent it emotional impact. We got a great intro to the culture.
I agree with others who indicate the machines intelligences appear too kind hearted, but then again who's to say they should end up as in a terminator novel once they achieve intelligence.
Horza's a great anti hero. Several characters including a human who occasionally achieves superior conclusions to machines, survive and hopefully appear in later novels.
I will pick up the next Culture novel as this was a very solid read.
3-21-11
Book Review: Very Disappointing
Summary: 1 Stars
I know we all have our own tastes, but I really can't understand all the glowing reviews. Did we read the same book?
Nothing happens in this book. And while I can appreciate a "slice of the story" tale, this book isn't that. Aside from being told how important the missing Mind is, we're never really told why it's important, and it's retrieval is tedious and boring.
I won't rehash all the other low-star reviews, just do yourself a favor and skip this book. I personally can't get enough of Peter F. Hamilton, but there are many more exciting reads out there.