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Title: Fantastic Voyage: Microcosm by Kevin J. Anderson ISBN: 0-451-40943-4 Publisher: Onyx Books Pub. Date: 08 May, 2001 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.43 (7 reviews)
Rating: 1
Summary: Really stupid ideas
Comment: I am willing to believe impossible things before breakfast, but not really stupid things.
All of the physical science premises of the book are ridiculous. Many of the other premises are silly: The Russians are going to fly an alien space capsule from Southern Russia to California, but only let the US have it for one day? Give me a break.
I didn't get past about 50 pages before I threw it away.
Rating: 4
Summary: Fantastic Voyage = One Fantastic Yarn
Comment: I still remember watching the original 'Fantastic Voyage' on TV many, many years ago and found myself totally immersed in the adventure. I was thrilled to see the novel written by Isaac Asimov, although he based it upon the screenplay, which is something Isaac is definitely NOT known for doing. He then went on to write his own version: 'Fantastic Voyage: Destination Brain' which again was fun, but I found it to be not quite up to the usual Asimov level of entertainment and intellectual stimulation. Now comes Kevin J. Anderson and a version which takes us inside the body of a real alien. Could there be a better premise for a novel about miniaturization?
I am happy to say that Anderson does a Fantastic job of taking an idea originated by someone else, and taking it to a higher level of science AND entertainment. Now, it has been mentioned before that this book isn't going to make anyone smarter by reading it, but, it certainly WILL give you an entertaining thrill while you do.
I read some reviewers now and again who base a books readability upon an almost impossible set of statistics that virtually NO book will ever live up to...are the locations of each novel 100% accurate? Is the science verifiable and factual? I personally base MY enjoyment upon whether or not I actually ENJOY the story, NOT the messy details...not that they aren't important or appreciated when an author goes out of their way to do the research, but I personally don't believe miniaturization is possible--at least not yet anyway--and therefore NO amount of scientific explanation, no matter HOW plausible and sophisticated it sounds will suddenly sway my opinion on whether or not a novel is actually worth reading. However, Anderson has written the technical details in such a way that whether or not miniaturization IS possible, it sure SOUNDS possible.
Oh yeah, one more thing: This story MOVES. Yes, it DOES take a chapter or two before the plot really unfolds, but trust me, when it finally takes flight, make sure your seatbelt is fastened and your tray is in the full and upright position 'cuz you suddenly go super-sonic super fast. The imagination alone it took to craft this story is worth the price of the novel...but the fact that Anderson has given us a great story as well certainly underscores his raw talent at storytelling. Buy this book and set aside an afternoon of virtual adventure in Innerspace...you won't be disappointed.
Rating: 2
Summary: Mediocre sci-fi thriller that touches on some high points
Comment: Immediately after reading the blurb on the back, I realized that the idea has some inherent limitation, and it would take a lot of doing to pull it off. I decided to go ahead and read the book, and see if Kevin J Anderson's reputation as a good writer would hold up. The book does have it share of action and highlights that makes it worth the time spent reading it, but I'm not sure if it was worth the money.
As far as science-fiction goes, most of the science that Anderson uses to explain the technology in the book is solid, but somewhat shallow. There is a lack of depth in the biological description of the alien body: the details Anderson uses consists primarily of very elementary biological terms. Furthermore, this book lacks a strong underlying meaning or message that can be found in great sci-fi. In this respect, it comes off as little more than a sci-fi thriller filled with some fancy terms. I am not even sure if the science (especially the physics aspect) or the logic for that matter is very sound.
In my opinion, the characters are paper-thin and rely on mostly character sterotypes to carry them through. I could not relate to the characters and did not feel emotionally attached to them when something happened to them. Anderson choose to place his character description in the weirdest place, often inserting them in the middle of an action scene. His characterization also lack subtlety; he tells the reader what the characters are like rather than revealing them within the plot or dialougle.
Speaking of dialouge, the lines exchanged between character are often corny and used at utterly inappropriate times. Failed attempts at humor punctuating scenes seem out of place and make the characters (especially the Mote's crew) seem like they aren't facing grave danger.
Summing it up, the novel does what it sets out to do (excite the reader with lots of action) relatively well without doing much more. For me, much of the plot was predictable so the book didn't intrigue me as much as it could have, but I did enjoy the end. The nanotechnology twist breathe additonal life into the novel, but it was excessive towards the end (how smart can those nanocritters be with microscopic brains?). I think this book would be a lot better as a movie especially with special effects. The abundance of action, plot, characters, and lack of deeper meaning makes it like the movie, Armaggadeon.
You will probably enjoy this this book if you liked Armaggadeon, but I am somewhat of a sci-fi purist which explains the negative tone of my review. It's a also good book if you're bored or need something to fill time on a long trip (like me).
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Title: Cretaceous Sea by Will Hubbell ISBN: 0441009891 Publisher: Ace Books Pub. Date: October, 2002 List Price(USD): $6.50 |
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Title: In the Hall of the Martian King by John Barnes ISBN: 0446610836 Publisher: Aspect Pub. Date: 01 June, 2003 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Humans by Robert J. Sawyer ISBN: 0765346753 Publisher: Tor Books Pub. Date: 15 September, 2003 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Freehold by Michael Z. Williamson ISBN: 0743471792 Publisher: Baen Books Pub. Date: 01 January, 2004 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: The Scoundrel Worlds by Chris Bunch ISBN: 0451459369 Publisher: Roc Pub. Date: 05 August, 2003 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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