Jeff

I read this one back in high school, and often cite it as one of my favorite sci-fi books. I think it will keep that status, if mainly beause it was like nothing I had read up to that point. Interestingly, the technology in the book isn't very dated, but the characterization and limited plot do feel a bit dusty. (There is a paragraph explaining how boobs work in zero G, as if female astronauts wouldn't wear bras, just as a for-instance.) And yet, it's still a fun book–in a way it reminded me this time of the straightforwardness of Old Man's War by Scalzi.

It's still a fun, quick read, if one likes first-contact stories. I remember not loving the sequels much, and probably won't go on to them, but it was fun to revisit this one.

So far I am not loving the book. Perhaps I just don't enjoy this genre? Mostly the overwrought descriptions of the central characters inspire eyerolls more than interest...

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...finally finished this. It's not a terrible book, but it's not my cup of tea, and the main characters are pretty simple caricatures, which was disappointing, especially since I'd heard the female protagonist was really interesting. Goth-girl-hacker-with-a-troubled-past would be just fine if it were acknowledged on some level as tongue in cheek, but it ain't.