I enjoyed this book to a point, but I do not think it is a masterpiece, nor even an excellent novel. It’s a bit too hyped I’m afraid.

It treats very important matters on misogyny, racism and global human behaviour. Kowal knows how to create a compelling story, and our lead character, Elma, is certainly a good one, a character we want to follow (at least in the first half of the novel). She’s a bit alone though, as the other characters are very generic. 

During the last third of the novel, even Elma can get annoying at times, she’s a bit too perfect, and perfect characters are boring. She has one major flaw that is used as a plot device but otherwise she never puts a foot wrong and it gets tiring. Plus she has a perfect, handsome, understanding husband and a jerk for a boss… I mean, it’s not very original nor interesting a setup. It’s a shame because she’s ideal to present how women are being bullied by men and shameless patriarchy at work against women. Kowal does that with her, but in a very basic manner.

As much as I enjoy a good uchronia, I found this one to be very much "by the numbers". The premise is a bit too reminiscent of “Spin” by Robert Charles Wilson (an astronomical event that forces humanity to seek shelter off-Earth). As for the prose, it is clear, efficient, but bland and repetitive at times. I usually prefer clear prose to overly complicated writing for the sake of it, but I just don’t think it’s on the same level as N.K. Jemisin for example, or Dan Simmons (I’m only talking about prose here…). It does feel like a YA novel at times (with a complete lack of literary poetry), even though the scientific aspects and the (very corny) sex scenes prevent it from really falling in this category.

All in all, a relatively enjoyable story, but not one that will stay with me nor makes me want to read the whole series. As I said, it tackles important issues in our society through the use of science-fiction, which is both laudable and relevant. Sci-fi exists in part to achieve that and Kowal is clearly aware of it. I just found it to be too much on the nose and shallow at times, but it might be by design. Maybe some readers need it to be this way to get the message. I for one liked but didn’t love the whole experience. I agree with the author on all those points (ie many men are jerks who prevent women from achieving things because they are scared little boys, racists are idiots, etc.), and they should be pointed out. I just didn’t appreciate the way she did it. She’s preaching to the choir in a very unrefined manner, and it prevented me from looking passed that.

Une lecture très intéressante qui préfigure des histoires post apocalyptiques parues après. Verlanger a clairement été lue par les auteurs de livres et bandes dessinées du genre. Je pense en particulier à The Walking Dead qui a parfois copié carrément certaines mises en scène. La façon dont les survivants s’organisent entre eux est particulièrement similaire.

Le livre est très violent, mais c’est dispersé. Les hommes sont souvent des brutes, les femmes subissent beaucoup, mais elles sont plus compétentes et intéressantes que dans les autres ouvrages de l’époque que j’ai lu. C’est agréable de lire l’œuvre de science fiction d’une femme.

Verlanger offre un style très direct qui nous mets directement dans la peau du personnage. Ce livre est un recueil de trois petits romans et de quatre nouvelles, ils sont tous rédigés de cette façon. Le niveau de langue change selon le cas et c’est très vivant.

Un livre dur mais intéressant et bien construit. Je le recommande.

I really enjoyed this book. It has its flaws of course, but I was a fun and light read, unlike some other Heinlein works.

His politics and gender roles are very 1950s, but it is what it is. That’s who the man was and when he lived. But he did craft an interesting story, well paced, with an excellent main character and good support cast.

It is more a comedy than a true sci-fi book, but Heinlein knows his sci-fi and uses to good fun.

An interesting read although not as mind blowing as Forever War. It does have a good core concept and Haldeman is an excellent writer. The “thriller” parts of the book are especially well executed.

The sci-fi elements are not as deep or well handled as in Forever War in my opinion, although they still are very good.

I might be a bit hard on this novel because I prefer Haldeman’s previous work, so don’t let my review discourage you from reading it. It is rewarding and captivating, I just don’t think it’s a masterpiece. But not every book can or should be one.

A fine story for Star Trek fans, but really not great. The tales are pretty unequal and the characters even more clichéd than in the series or movies. Some good parts, especially Kirk’s and Scott’s tales. Chekov and Sulu’s were pretty sluggish.

An interesting premise, beautiful art, but an average story.
It’s well paced, but not very original. Besides the facts that it’s squirrels instead of people, the character’s’ behaviours are predictable and “by the numbers”.
The book is worth reading for the art though, really superb and detailed. But I don’t feel compelled to read the rest of the series.

An excellent read. Great pacing, relatable characters and a great sci-fi concept.