Prador Moon
category: science fiction, author:Neal Asher
book 1 in the Polity Universepublished by Tor, original copyright 2006, read in April 2010
Agamedes' opinion: 8 out of 10
That's not "8 out of 10" because the book is great. Rather, it's great fun. As long as you have no problems with extreme violence.On the other hand, (a) the violence is so extreme, so over-the-top, so unbelievable, that it does not have a personal impact on the reader, and (b) the violence happens to people or creatures with whom (or with which) we have not had time to develop any sympathies. It's all fast and furious -- and nasty -- but somewhat remote from our own emotions.
That said, the violence can also be satisfying. For example... A villain is preparing to leap on a hero, kill him, escape to wreak further havoc. The hero is far too well prepared, far too quick, and thumps the villain into submission. Take that! you alien-loving evil villain! Yes, it's good versus bad, everyone suffers, but in the long run baddies just don't stand a chance.
What else can I say? McGyver using extremely high tech? Captain Kirk duking it out -- using ray guns, rail guns, limpet mines -- with clawed alien crab-beasts? All with a clear plot leading -- via human heroics, AI determination, high tech invention -- to the final destruction of the major alien threat.
If you enjoyed the despairing view of humanity, the examination of childhood trauma leading to adult misery, the final moral decision left to the reader, of Oryx and Crake -- then Prador Moon is something entirely different!
email nickleth at gmail dot com. |
1 comment:
July 2015: Just re-read Prador Moon. Just re-read my earlier review. What more can I add ?! Great fun, super science, ultra violence. A lot of fun :-)
Though I do think that Asher's later books are even better... Just a bit more sophisticated, less straightforward. Improving with... experience.
Oh, and the category should be, science fiction *and* space opera. Well and truly, over -- the -- top.
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