Most helpful customer reviews
|
|
4.0 out of 5 stars
I liked it a lot, April 26 2004
Rating System:
1 star = abysmal; some books deserve to be forgotten
2 star = poor; a total waste of time
3 star = good; worth the effort
4 star = very good; what writing should be
5 star = fantastic; must own it and share it with othersSTORY: In a universe where the Dorsai are the most feared warriors, Donal Graeme stands out. He stands out because his oddities drive him to seek his future amongst the stars. This book is the story of his journeys. MY FEEDBACK:
1) This book has the same feel as other classics like Asimov's Foundation series. 2) Gordon creates a great universe here that acts as the backdrop to the various adventures of Donal 3) This story has some elements of Dune in it (especially the ending) but not to the same dramatic suspense as Herbert's masterpiece. 4) I agree with other reviewers that a large part of the suspense was removed because Donal just wins every time. This was fun on the other hand because his solutions were logical and innovative. 5) I'm told this is the first of at least a 12 book series. This story can stand on its own if you don't care to read the rest of them. 6) I didn't leave the book feeling like I cared about any of the characters, even Donal. They either played such detached roles or in Donal's case, the reader has already been fed so many of his victories that there doesn't seem to be much left to strive for or challenge him. OVERALL: Well written. Engaging. Action kept me going. Solutions to challenges didn't make me feel cheated. Very good read.
|
|
|
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good example of military SF, Jun 10 2003
This is acclaimed as a masterpiece of military SF but there are better examples in my opinion (both Heinlein's Starship Troopers and Haldeman's Forever War are markedly better) since this really has little to do with the actual mechanics of the military and the gritty life of a soldier as much as how soldiers fit overall in Dickson's Childe Cycle. At this point we're at book four in the cycle and really this seems to have the least to do with any of the other circulating themes (probably because it was written first and then revised retroactively to fit into what Dickson was building) since there's barely any mention of the Final Encyclopedia or the need to merge the Splinter Cultures. However, there is some crossover from Soldier, Ask Not, so at least we get a sense that everyone lives in the same universe. So we have to judge this one on its merit and honestly it's an entertaining novel, Dickson takes his now pretty much worked out universe and goes nuts by throwing Donal Graeme, a Dorsai who is slightly better than the average Dorsai, into the mix, letting him loose and causing all kinds of havok, the reason for which isn't of course clear until near the end. If you're not a fan of Dickson to begin with, this won't change your mind, Donal is perhaps his strongest character but he's still only an inch away from being a cipher and like all of Dickson's other main character he's so good at everything that it just sucks all the suspense right away, the book is a great read, but don't expect any dramatic tension at all . . . alas, this also makes the book a poor cousin of Tactics of Mistake (the main character was his ancestor) which had the same basic setup, guy really good at intuition outthinks everyone else to a ridiculous degree. On the plus side, we finally get to see a Scientist, even if he's not an average example, but at least they get a mention. Dickson also maintains his inability to write convincing female characters, Anea is a step forward and a step backward, she's a strong, opinionated character, it's just that all her opinions are wrong and she spends most of the book making snide judgements about Donal that clearly make her look stupid . . . plus there's hints of romance that never quite seem to cohere. All in all it's a satisfying read, albeit not one without flaws, it's a good example of pulp SF and Dickson's future history remains as fun as ever but it's not quite the masterpiece that many proclaim it to be. Go in with that mindset and you should have no problem at all.
|
|
|
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great SF Classic!, May 8 2002
I've read this book five times in the last twenty years, and I already know that I'll be reading it again. I like it so much, that I even buy a new copy every time I read it. I wish Gordon Dickson a very long, happy life for creating Donal, one of the most interesting characters in SF literature. If you want to read one of the true classics of SF literature, read this book. For me, it ranks right up there with Asimov's Foundation series (be sure to read those if you haven't).
|
|
|
Most recent customer reviews
|
