Rating: 
Summary: An excellent SF epic.
Review: Otherland Vol. I is an excellent and highly imaginative blending of SF and Fantasy which can proved a great deal of enjoyment for readers who don't have the wrong expectations. This is not actually a complete book but merely the first fourth of a gigantic story being published in 4 parts. Unlike some other massive sf adventures on this scale (David Wingrove's Chung Kuo for instance), Otherland does not cover the lives of dozens of characters over the course of several years, but only a handful of characters over a span of time measured in days. Needless to say the story is extremely detailed and progresses slowly toward its goal. Reader's expecting a speedy resolution to the story's plot will be disappointed. Rather, enjoy each moment for what it itself contains. Even as the main story thread procedes slowly forward, interesting events occur on the charcters lives. This story is a long road, but the real joy in it is the journey.
Rating:
Summary: A brilliant start
Review: I don't know how this series is going to progress but it's all brilliant so far. The pace is slow but succeeds in gradually introducing you to all the online techonology through the book and the characters. There is plenty of bizarre moments which don't make any sense and I want to read on just to find out what the point of them is. Just like who is this Other? What is Otherland created for? What has happened to Steven Sulaweho? How does Sellars fit in to this story? What other adventures are there?I'm off to read the River of Blue Fire. Keep it up Williams
Rating: 
Summary: Fantasy, not SF
Review: Make no mistake, though the book claims to be cyberpunk, Otherland should be classified as fantasy. My dislike of the book stems from my dislike of fantasy's "anthing goes" conventions. I rarely fail to finish a book, but given the ponderous pacing of the story, a cast of unlikeable characters, and knowing that I'd have to read another 1800 to 2000 pages to complete the story, I quit this book after about 550 pages.
Rating:
Summary: Great book for the ONLINE generation
Review: This is the best SF book that I've read in a long time. Tad Williams keeps you wanting to know more and more about the people(Irene and !Xabbu). For me it was alittle confusing when I started reading , but after about 2 chapters I couldn't put the book down and when I did I was very upset that I had finished.. All I can do is hope that the next book is just as good. You don't even really need to like sf that much to like this book.
Rating: 
Summary: If you value your soul don't buy this book
Review: Maybe the title of this review is a little extreme, but I had to get my point across about what a bad book this was. I usually don't mind reading a long book, but I found as I progressed through this story that goes nowhere, the book was slowly sucking the life out of me. This book revolves about several dull and boring characters who really have no connection with each other. I guess if you like waiting four books for a climax, this series is for you. With vague hints of some far reaching conspirancy that is child-like in its attempt to be suspenseful, this book leaves a lot to be desired. I definately won't be buying the rest of this series, and I'm tempted to ask the publishers to re-imburse me for the hours of my life wasted reading this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Good reading concerning the potential for V.R.
Review: This book was interesting for the concepts and story line that was presented. The book kept me interested over the two weeks it took to read but then came the thing I most dislike in reading - I found out this was the first book of a series. No questions were answered and there were no conclusions of any kind.
Rating:
Summary: Slow and cliched
Review: This book takes forever to develop. Unfortunately, there is nothing startling or new to reveal. It is the same thing we have seen before. I was thouroughly unimpressed with the plot when the extensive character development allowed for any. I don't need to know every detail about every bit character in the story. Find an editor and cut down on the gibberish.
Rating:
Summary: A Major Talent!
Review: Incredible Plot, incredible characters, incredible writing! Williams makes you get into the story so much you cannot put the book down. Williams has a definate success in writing, and he has more then proven it with this masterpeice. A must read if you enjoy Sci-Fi. It even makes you wonder about the future.
Rating:
Summary: A Different Way to Surf the Net
Review: For those of us addicted to being online, Tad Williams has woven a story that will make you wonder where we are all heading with this technology. Set in the coming century, a mysterious ailment seems to be affecting children who use the NET as our children use television today. When a university instructor's brother succumbs to this affliction and lapses into a coma, his stubborn, brilliant sister decides to investigate what could have caused his illness. Aided by her unassuming, bush-country student, she bravely charges into the fray, unaware of the power of the creators of the Otherland project. At the same time, two adolescent friends, using the NET for fantasy role playing, stumble onto a a "hole" in the system that momentarily distracts one of the intrepid heroes, causing his alter-ego to be slain by a creature he would easily have defeated. The boy's unwillingness to let his character's death become record leads the two friends on a journey in search of a fantastic, golden city where they are sure they will learn the answer to their frustrations. Williams wanders back and forth between these separate groups of pilgrims as their destiny seems to call them to the quest for answers as the Crusaders themselves quested for the Holy Grail. Ironically, the bad guys are called "The Grail Brotherhood" and one of their employees is a particularly evil predator. It is a huge volume, but you will not be bored at any turn. At the end, I could hardly wait to get my hands on the second of the four volumes that complete this tale. Williams paints vivid images of the various worlds our protagonists visit and all the while makes us realize we may not be far away from such an outrageous fantasy becoming reality. Not since "The Stand" has such a long volume been consumed so quickly by me. Give it a try. It doesn't cause carpal-tunnel and your brain could use the stimulation.
Rating:
Summary: I Couldn't Put It Down and Nearly Died of Starvation
Review: This is one large book, but it is most certaintly worth the treck. It is my first Tad Williams novel, and I was blown away by this guy's attention to detail. If your into SF or Cyberpunk or mysteries in general this is a titanic must read. Williams weaves an astonishing web of characters who come together in a chilling tapestry. I recommend it.
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