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Book Reviews of Red Lightning

Red Lightning
Red Lightning
Author: John Varley
ISBN-13: 9780441013647
ISBN-10: 0441013643
Publication Date: 4/4/2006
Pages: 336
Edition: 1st
Rating:
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 19

4.1 stars, based on 19 ratings
Publisher: Ace Hardcover
Book Type: Hardcover
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

3 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

Trey avatar reviewed Red Lightning on + 260 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
I've had this one on the shelf a while and finally got round to reading it. It was fun and interesting, but not really that deep. Not a bad way to waste a few hours. Ad copy can lay out the gist of the plot - its a sequel to Red Thunder and the viewpoint character is Ramon Garcia Strickwell, the son of Manuel Garcia the viewpoint character of Red Thunder.

Anyway, what did I like? The neat way the unknown badguys almost wrecked the planet. Nifty, if pessimistic, future world building. More games to play with squeezers. The wrecking of the American southeastern coast and Caribbean.

What I didn't like was just how pessimistic he got about the US. The invasion of Mars - I don't think anyone would maintain operational security that well on that large a scale. The mysterious bad guys - a little too mysterious. The rapid fire conclusion - almost too fast. I feel like it could have been extended and expanded a bit, but I'll live with it.
Judyh avatar reviewed Red Lightning on + 229 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Truly fun story of independent race for space, classic John Varley, he's never written a dull book! Great lovable characters and plot that twists and turns.
reviewed Red Lightning on + 7 more book reviews
A good read. Not the best but moves right along. Discovery of new technology leads to conflict between a libertarian Mars settlement and a semi-fascist USA.