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briophyta's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
I don't hate it but it was definitely a drag. The kobold, finn mccool, and the beagle, snowy, were the only likeable characters; everyone else is boring or annoying.
pagesofash's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
dignorant's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
mrfrightful's review against another edition
3.0
Where I found the first book oddly bifurcated but enjoyable, this was much more cohesive but Pratchett's narrative voice/spark was almost entirely absent.
sams84's review against another edition
5.0
This is an excellent follow on from the Long Earth and even though there isn't a war as such there is definitely widespread discontent brewing across the other earths as those who have dispersed find themselves still subject to the governance of those who stayed behind. The combination of Pratchett's fantasy and Baxter's sci-fi still makes for an excellent combination packed with humour, superb little details, and intriguing little moments that gives the modern world an interesting perspective. There were some bits that were a little too detailed and did drag a little but the rest of the book quickly took over these so they didn't distract from the overall story too much. Going to have to buy the next in the series now!
murmur75's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
indium's review against another edition
3.0
Similar to the first book. Wonderful writing, but planning a plot. Usually this is forgivable, but there were fewer interesting ideas than the first book and it started to drag on a little.
alex1vo's review against another edition
2.0
This series took a turn for the worse. I did not see any meaningful plot, no engaging characters, nothing that would make me read next in this series.
abissette's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I got 80% of the way into this and nearly decided not to finish it.
The promise of the book - the conflict set up at the end of book 1 - barely figures into it. And like the first book, the focus is on light world building and superficial exploration of interesting ideas. Very little in the way of plot or character development happens.
The most interesting story threads and philosophical or ethical concepts are left unexplored. The characters have little agency - as if the authors don't believe in their own characters' ability to solve problems, and need to be saved or manipulated by a greater power.
If you enjoyed the first book's leisurely pace and focus on vignettes of interesting worlds that could have been, you'll enjoy this too. But if you hoped that, 1000 pages into the series, something might actually happen - you're in for disappointment.
The promise of the book - the conflict set up at the end of book 1 - barely figures into it. And like the first book, the focus is on light world building and superficial exploration of interesting ideas. Very little in the way of plot or character development happens.
The most interesting story threads and philosophical or ethical concepts are left unexplored. The characters have little agency - as if the authors don't believe in their own characters' ability to solve problems, and need to be saved or manipulated by a greater power.
If you enjoyed the first book's leisurely pace and focus on vignettes of interesting worlds that could have been, you'll enjoy this too. But if you hoped that, 1000 pages into the series, something might actually happen - you're in for disappointment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer