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Anissa's Reviews > Termination Shock
Termination Shock
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Well, it was a surprising three star read for me. This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2021.
Vivid and compelling beginning, slog of a middle (at 700 pages that clocks in at hundreds of eye-crossing pages with lots of things happening to many characters in ways that feel disparate while flogging the pace almost to death) and a really strong finish (like, so good, I was really annoyed about the middle slog all over again, because clearly, this tome could have flown high the whole damned time in the glorious golden geo-engineered skies described in this very book!). Still, YMMV.
I need to think about what else to say but here's my real recommendation: Borrow this one from the library! There's no point in having this around as a dead tree doorstop when you've finished or simply given up. I'll be passing on my copy.
All things considered, I should have just reread Seveneves.❤
Vivid and compelling beginning, slog of a middle (at 700 pages that clocks in at hundreds of eye-crossing pages with lots of things happening to many characters in ways that feel disparate while flogging the pace almost to death) and a really strong finish (like, so good, I was really annoyed about the middle slog all over again, because clearly, this tome could have flown high the whole damned time in the glorious golden geo-engineered skies described in this very book!). Still, YMMV.
I need to think about what else to say but here's my real recommendation: Borrow this one from the library! There's no point in having this around as a dead tree doorstop when you've finished or simply given up. I'll be passing on my copy.
All things considered, I should have just reread Seveneves.❤
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Reading Progress
September 11, 2021
– Shelved
September 11, 2021
– Shelved as:
to-read
November 16, 2021
–
Started Reading
November 16, 2021
–
13.0%
""COVID-19, COVID-23, and COVID-27"
OK BOOK, I AM SCREAMING INTERNALLY! there are also roaming bands of deadly feral pigs, oppressive temperatures and rising seas.
i've read too many prescient books and i'm still not recovered from Wendig's Wanderers."
OK BOOK, I AM SCREAMING INTERNALLY! there are also roaming bands of deadly feral pigs, oppressive temperatures and rising seas.
i've read too many prescient books and i'm still not recovered from Wendig's Wanderers."
November 20, 2021
–
65.0%
"i'm not feeling Seveneves love but it's still good. this is a world in extreme flux and it's being torqued to a dangerous level. as expected, between the environment, social media and just people being people... it's a lot. i care about some of these characters but don't expect them all to fare well."
November 21, 2021
– Shelved as:
2021
November 21, 2021
– Shelved as:
speculative-fiction
November 21, 2021
–
Finished Reading
November 22, 2021
– Shelved as:
climate-fiction
Comments Showing 1-22 of 22 (22 new)
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Nov 22, 2021 04:13AM
Classic style review Anissa. I've been passing along some doorstops, too.
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So sorry this wasn't what you had looked forward to, Anissa. I hope the solid ending took some of the sting away.
Bob (aka Bobby Lee) wrote: "Classic style review Anissa. I've been passing along some doorstops, too."Thx, Bob! We can only hope that they're enjoyed or pass hands until they find their perfect reader. :)
Lise wrote: "So sorry this wasn't what you had looked forward to, Anissa. I hope the solid ending took some of the sting away."Thx, Lise! It did and I'm still glad I read it for the stellar parts (and overall it's a good story).
Great review again. How does it compare to ‘Ministry for the future’?
Steven wrote: "Great review again. How does it compare to ‘Ministry for the future’?"Thank you, Steven. :) I liked Ministry for the Future just a bit more (though I've star rated them both 3). I kept my copy of MftF but I gave my copy of TS away.
I definitely liked Seveneves better than this one. I like TS but was underwhelmed. I don’t know the Ministry of the Future book - have to go look it up.
Nif wrote: "I definitely liked Seveneves better than this one. I like TS but was underwhelmed. I don’t know the Ministry of the Future book - have to go look it up."Same here, Nif. :) The Ministry for the Future is by Kim Stanley Robinson. It's a tome as well but edges this one out in the positives column for me. Hope you like it if you get to read it.
Good luck finishing a library copy before it has to be returned. LOL
Thanks for the review. I'm about 300 pages into this and I'm like this is so tedious and slow. I'll keep powering through for the ending. This is my first Stephenson book and I was wondering if I should read anymore. The other one I grabbed from the library was Seveneves 🙌🏼
Matt wrote: "Thanks for the review. I'm about 300 pages into this and I'm like this is so tedious and slow. I'll keep powering through for the ending. This is my first Stephenson book and I was wondering if I s..."You're welcome, Matt! :) I's say hang in but if you bail, you won't be the first and by some accounts will better spend your time on something else. I'm sorry this is your first Stephenson, it's not the best jump-off point. I do very much recommend Seveneves.
Steve wrote: "Good luck finishing a library copy before it has to be returned. LOL"A fair point, Steve. LOL Definitely need lots of free reading time to get this one finished in the allotted loan time.
I really wanted this to be a good, tight Neal Stephenson novel, like his classics. I’m sorry to hear of the tedious middle section. Seems to me like Cryptonomicon was the start of not having to listen to an editor.I loved Ministry For the Future but I would go to Robinson for something very different from Stephenson. If I want a Stephenson thriller focusing on environmental issues, sounds like I’d be better off re-reading Zodiac!
Your view is held by a fair number, Cole. :) I don't think your time would be badly spent on the re-read. I think this definitely has an audience (and I didn't hate it) but it's definitely not his best, IMO.
There were glimpses of something much better trying to break out, but it never regained the fun of the opening scene, with Red's gung-ho-ness too intermittant. This story tended to substitute excitement with competence/logistics descriptions. There are loads of better Stephenson novels in his back catalogue.
Nathan wrote: "There were glimpses of something much better trying to break out, but it never regained the fun of the opening scene, with Red's gung-ho-ness too intermittant. This story tended to substitute excit..."Agreed, Nathan. On all counts. :)
I agree with you about borrowing it from the library rather than buying it! That's what I did and was so glad I did. I have been reading Stephenson since Snowfall came out, so I was willing to give this one a go despite its length. As usual, some interesting characters and interesting ideas, but in this case, not woven together well enough. The (long) middle was indeed tedious and too many times I had to ask myself why hang in there, and what does this stuff Stephenson spends endless pages describing have to do with the overarching plotline?
Yep, the end was so nonstop and the beginning very interesting but the middle so much going on and had no idea how it was going to all tie together. Also, they really did Big Fish dirty, so sad! Wish he’d made it
Keith wrote: "I agree with you about borrowing it from the library rather than buying it! That's what I did and was so glad I did. I have been reading Stephenson since Snowfall came out, so I was willing to give..."Glad you were able to borrow over buy, Keith! :) And yes, that middle. I imagine there were plenty of us out there asking the very question you did while traversing that section.
Luis wrote: "Yep, the end was so nonstop and the beginning very interesting but the middle so much going on and had no idea how it was going to all tie together. Also, they really did Big Fish dirty, so sad! Wi..."Yes, Luis! And for sure about BF, I was pulling for him (great character!).
I’m just staring it. Honestly that’s my take in all his books: fab concept, strong start, waaaaay too long middle, last 3rd seems like it’s a totally different book.I’m enjoying it so far and am always happy with I stick with it to the end. :)
January wrote: "I’m just staring it. Honestly that’s my take in all his books: fab concept, strong start, waaaaay too long middle, last 3rd seems like it’s a totally different book.I’m enjoying it so far and am ..."
I hope you got through, January! :) I hope it beat expectations.
