Helpful Score: 2
Loved the book. A truly well-wrought work about invasion of the earth by aliens. The title gives a clue to the aliens' ultimate weapon. The cast of characters is generally well-rounded, and the action is not too far beyond belief; but then, what else should a good book of fiction do, but to allow a certain suspension of belief?
Helpful Score: 2
Also, if you're going to read this novel, don't forget to read Lucifers Hammer as well. Both are excellent books and offer highly conceptual stories with complex character development. You will not want to put it down! I was hooked from page one.
Simply one of Pournelle and Nivens' greatest conglomerative works. I loved it!
Simply one of Pournelle and Nivens' greatest conglomerative works. I loved it!
Helpful Score: 1
Excellant Scifi. Invasion that is almost believable. Caught up in a war of indescribable violence and descrution are dozens of memorable characters.
I read this book years ago and just loved it. DON'T judge by the cover! The cover looks so unrealistic, you may be tempted to pass it by. But the authors made an invasion seem so *real*. It was great.
Enjoyable read, a different take on the whole invasion story.
Great apocalyptic sci-fi!
Very good first contact/ alien invasion theme.
This was a good story with a lot of development of the alien culture, and the illustration that the aliens have their own problems too. The thing that was somewhat annoying was the very difficult to read alien names. They were also somewhat long and sometimes it was real hard to tell the different alien characters apart.
A solid alien-invasion story, with believable alien characters and society. However, it's pretty drawn-out, with a huge cast of characters only about half of whom have anything to do and another one-fourth are way too familiar. Niven and Pournelle seem to have taken their previous book Lucifer's Hammer and said, "Okay let's write it again as an alien invasion story!" Pournelle's political leanings shine through like the lasers so lovingly described. As I write this in 2017, the book feels a bit dated with its references to the Soviet Union and the space shuttles. Still, while it takes a while to get going, the action picks up nicely, our weapon is ingenious, and the ultimate battle is pulse-pounding.
Read this when it was first published almost 40 years ago. I decided it was time for a re-read. It stands up very, very well. An excellent alien invasion novel.
We'll generate liftoff from earth with earth based lasers when elephants fly. Just one of many insights obtainable from this book.
Earth is being invaded by a relentless alien species. Her power grid and miliary bases destroyed man must find a way to fight back against this implacable foe.
Okay, call me jaded; I saw all the movies made from this book (or books like it) and I really could not get through it. Too much endless detail and pointless conversation, too many people, I just kept hoping the stinking comet would get it over with, already.
Husband read it and enjoyed it
