Rating: 
Summary: Great work
Review: A great buch of sci-fi ideas woven into a well crafted and deftly written plot. I have to admit to a little diappointment in the abupt ending, but the ride was well worth it.
Rating: 
Summary: Confusing, Hard-to-Read Scifi
Review: Vinge's way of creating a huge universe that's beyond human comprehension is by not explaining the most important terms and concepts in his story. Unfortunately, this places most of his story beyond human comprehension. The alien dog-like race is interesting and appealing, but the human characters are not. Vinge makes the error of placing Johanna and Jefri in peril and killing off their parents far too soon (this is not a spoiler; it happens by page 25), before we've had a chance to know them and care about them. Nor does the appeal of Vinge's writing come close to that of Bester, Heinlein, Asimov, or other noted science fiction writers. If this book represents the best of modern science fiction, as the blurbs and some reviews claim, modern science fiction is in bad shape.
Rating: 
Summary: Worth reading
Review: This was my first experience with Vernor Vinge and it has prompted me to read more of his stories.
Rating:
Summary: A masterwork of space and time
Review: Vernor Vinge's book ranks among the best books I have ever read, not just science fiction. He has taken the wonders of today in computer science and space travel and fast forwarded them into a universe richer, smarter and far more diverse than many writers, let alone readers, can begin to imagine. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Hard science--no. Great story--yes.
Review: This book shouldn't be considered hard science fiction, but it's a great read, which is the most important thing. There are several fascinating elements, such as the pack-oriented Tines and the existence of Zones of Thought, which determine what level of technology is operable at any given location. (The latter could have been better explained.) Also interesting was the galaxy-wide "Internet", which served as a kind of intellectual fossil record of civilizations long dead. A bit too long, but involving nevertheless.
Rating:
Summary: Plot, characters and science all first rate
Review: Reviews of science fiction can sound so ridiculous; for example, in "A Fire Upon The Deep", space hero and the girl rescue two kids marooned on a primitive world populated by telepathic dogs. Also manages to save the galaxy from an evil artificial intelligence bent on enslaving all intelligent species. The summary just does not work to explain the book because we are unable to enter into the world the book presents and suspend our disbelief. Vinge manages to create an original, highly detailed view of the universe in the far future, where the equivalent of the World Wide Web connects millions of worlds and intelligent species. The plot races along, as our hero Pham Nuwen saves the galaxy and the two marooned kids from the evil artificial intelligence. Nuwen is an updated Errol Flynn, cocky, arrogant and dodging death. The marooned kids are a great vehicle for exploring a fully formed medieval culture about to find out that it is not alone in the universe. Of course, it's a culture populated by groups of telepathically linked intellligent dogs.
Rating:
Summary: After Dune, the best book I have ever read.
Review: I just finished reading this book for the third time. The author sets up rules for how the universe works and explores the logical consequences of these rules.
Rating:
Summary: UNDERRATED.
Review: I think I was a bit put off by the book at first because it seemed a bit silly at the outset. I'm very glad I stuck it out. I've never seen so many new, well thought-out, and fascinating ideas in a single book. Maybe I'm biased because of my technical background, but Vinge's ideas come packaged in a very good story with an excellent climax.The scope of the book is amazing and ultimately (though it takes a while) the characters are quite likable. death to vermin
Rating:
Summary: Creative exposition and climatic build-up
Review: Vernor Vinge spins a universe that some readers will have trouble grasping. The persons he introduces will challenge some readers concept of exsitance. Other readers will enjoy the creative and captivating reality and the possibilities constructed by such beings. The descriptions of some scenes are cumbersome, but the assemblage of characters racing toward the climatic apogee is reminiscent of a Tolken genre genius. If the reader's cognizance can grasp the apocalyptic direction of the story, the book will be sure to please! I enjoyed it greatly. Thank you Vernor.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent sci-fi
Review: This is a first-rate sci-fi novel. A must read. Buy it. Now
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