2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Despite some glaring errors, most notably with the author's time calculations, the book is quite enjoyable to read. He paints vivid characters and settings and offers a unique look at the possible future of space colonization.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
The author could never seem to quite decide what he wanted this novel to be – a treatment on politics? a novel of interstellar travel? a novel of first contact? or Huckleberry Finn? There are several excellent premises in this book, but they get marred by constantly changing points of very and a patchwork format. I also found some of the author use of tense to be disconcerting. I really wanted to like this novel more than I did, but the clunky writing got in the way of the authors amazing imagination.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I love the idea of hijacking a spaceship! Great book, great characters, and an insightful story line make this an interesting read. Highly recommended!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I didn't know what to expect with this novel. The characters are much like the Pilgrims, traveling off to colonize a planet 46 light years away and start a new life. However, they are more prepared and technologically advance than the Pilgrims. That doesn't mean, however, that doesn't mean it's easy. I really enjoyed how each chapter is written from a different perspective--different characters of different ages. For example, one chapter begins with a colonist's journal entry and then the author elaborates; while another chapter is told by one of the teenagers. I hought this novel had a good mix of science (whether real or imagined) to make it believeable.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Hard SF -
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Rather episodic, but enjoyable.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
One of the best space exploration and landing books I've read in a long time. Good characters, great story and one hell of an ending! Try it!!!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Great hard sci-fi story!
Well, I enjoyed this book. The part I liked best was after the landing on Coyote and the challenges the colonists encountered there. If there had been more of this, in sequels, I would definitely read them.
However, I was somewhat surprised to discover that it is part of a trilogy and that trilogy has somewhat mixed reviews for the next two books. I looked at the reviews here and on Amazon and made the decision not to obtain the sequels. The last chapter of this book, in the text that dealt with the newly arriving colonists, only encouraged my decision to stop here.
For me, while it is obvious that this book has an indefinite ending, I can live with that. Every day that we live has an indefinite ending. So, if, like myself, you decide to stop after the first book in this series, I don't think you will regret it.
However, I was somewhat surprised to discover that it is part of a trilogy and that trilogy has somewhat mixed reviews for the next two books. I looked at the reviews here and on Amazon and made the decision not to obtain the sequels. The last chapter of this book, in the text that dealt with the newly arriving colonists, only encouraged my decision to stop here.
For me, while it is obvious that this book has an indefinite ending, I can live with that. Every day that we live has an indefinite ending. So, if, like myself, you decide to stop after the first book in this series, I don't think you will regret it.
excellent read one of y all time favorites
What an appalling bit of tripe. This book got such great reviews and it really was a huge disappointment.
As far as hard scifi goes - you can forget it. Completely implausible alien planet which just happens to have the perfect atmosphere, soil perfect for Earth plants, perfect biota, etc... The alien animals are even edible. I was surprised they didn't speak English.
The real purpose of this book appears to be jingoistic rehashing of the American frontier myths - hard working, freedom-loving, warm-hearted egalitarian rugged individualists triumph over evil religious oppressors. I'm all for a rebels-win-against-all-odds story, but the heavy-handed nationalism in this book was a bit gag-inducing. As was the guilt-ridden nobility of the main characters, who spend much of the book self-flagellating over their own errors.
Oh, and it was slow as molasses.
As far as hard scifi goes - you can forget it. Completely implausible alien planet which just happens to have the perfect atmosphere, soil perfect for Earth plants, perfect biota, etc... The alien animals are even edible. I was surprised they didn't speak English.
The real purpose of this book appears to be jingoistic rehashing of the American frontier myths - hard working, freedom-loving, warm-hearted egalitarian rugged individualists triumph over evil religious oppressors. I'm all for a rebels-win-against-all-odds story, but the heavy-handed nationalism in this book was a bit gag-inducing. As was the guilt-ridden nobility of the main characters, who spend much of the book self-flagellating over their own errors.
Oh, and it was slow as molasses.
Good science fiction.


