Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic beginning
Review: Williams weaves a fantastic, stunning world within these pages
Rating: 
Summary: Only for the brave.
Review: I aprroached CGS with mixed feelings, I was excited because I had just finished Mr. William's superb Memory, Sorrow and Thorn series. I was apprehensive because of the theme of this new series, cyberpunk, something that I had never been much into.The exciting moments in this book are few and far between. we can see Mr. Williams weaving some grand plot, but unfortunately he takes the entire first volume to do it. As for the characters, Mr. Williams seems to be vacillitating between giving them more depth, and keeping them framed in the two dimensionality of the caricature Sci Fi characaters. An example would be !Xabbu, whenever there is an interaction beween him and Renee (the main character) that seems to give them both some emotional depth, Mr. Williams seems to feel the need to balance it by having !Xabbu spout obsecure aphorisms and describe so called 'dreams' that put him squarely back in the 'Gandalf' fold. I found Renee's father to be downright irritating. I was frightfully bored halfway through this book, the only reason I forced myself to finish it was because I hate not finishing I book that I have started. The ending seems to promise more for the future installments, but the prospect of reading another 2400 pages of an already tired story is just too daunting for me. Pick this bookup only if you love long tedious tales, or are a huge cyberpunk fan.
Rating: 
Summary: Bloody good book!
Review: Yeah, it was a good one. The story was so wonderfully complicated and intricate that I did find it, excuse the tremendously overused cliche, literally hard to put down and I'm looking forward to its sequels. Do yourself a favor, BUY THIS BOOK! Its set on Earth in the near future but don't worry, that doesn't mean its another "America saves the world plot". In fact, far from it. Much of the story is set in South Africa with only a couple of major characters living in the US. And, good news if your a proud Aussie like myself, some of it is even set in our wonderful Sydney and one of the book's most interesting characters lives there. In short, Otherland is another excellent novel from the genius behind Memory, Sorrow and Thorn. Its plot is brillianty complex and spans the globe with a diverse set of believable and most importantly likeable [and hateable] characters. So, read the book and next time any of you see Tad say G'day for me. Bye.
Rating:
Summary: good for ANY SF or fantasy fan!
Review: Some are thwarted by the sheer size of the book (oh no, a big book), and the fact that this is just the prologue to the actual journey, but MY GOD! Tad's characterization is unparrallelled. You see the main characters as if they were friends or relatives, sharing their pain or joy. If his other books are as good as this one, than im definatly going to search for everything hes written in the past.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: An awesome read - some will complain that the book is too long, but not me! Williams gives such intricate detail to the characters that the length of the book does not interfere with one's enjoyment of the story, and Williams is a master at story-telling! Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: This book is amazing! From the first page to the last word you are left begging for more, despite the intimidatingly thick book and fine print. I can't wait to read the second one!
Rating:
Summary: Best book I have every read. Makes you stop and think.
Review: This book is amazing. I realize that a few people didn't enjoy it very much, but that is there perception,(plus they have probably read more books then I have) however, this book satisfied the hunger I have had for a deeper reading experiance. This book really brings you into Tad William's world. You may look at the book and think it is to big for you to read, but once you start you can't put it down. Everything in William's world, characters, ideas, technology, and culture, is slowly taught to you just as it would be in the real world. It is easier for the mind to remember something if it is taught slowly and regularly. Not just having a huge sum of information shoved into it suddenly and then expected you to remember it at the end of the book. That is one reason why the book is so long, most of it is familiarising you with the surrondings in William's world. There is just so much information in this one book its amazing. You will learn about African history, Bushman history, some very very very probable ideas of the future, some computer knowlege, (this book it for you if you love computers and the internet) and so much more that the list would go on forever. You should probably learn the rest out for yourself and buy the book. It is a book for people who love computers and computer technology. I have a real apreciation for technology and I beleive that helped me enjoy this book even more. Also if you love books that ask a lot of indirect question on life, this is a book for you. I myself give it five stars and can't wait to read the next book, but you should read it and rate it yourself.
Rating:
Summary: This novel made me a Tad Williams fan.
Review: I found this book slow going at first but was eventually hooked by the entertaining story line and great characterizations. I am now on Book 2 and it is even better. I worry about who might get killed off! I had never heard of Tad Williams before, probably because I have spent the last several years catching up on the Wheel of Time. ( I started reading Book 1 of that before realizing it was a series.) After reading this novel, I am seeking out Tad William's other novels.
Rating: 
Summary: Imaginitive and intriguing, but way, way, WAY too long.
Review: Need I say more? Well - in Tad Williams fashion, I'll elaborate beyond what's neccesary. I really like this story's concept, I love Williams's writing, and I am interested enough in some of the characters to consider reading further. But at the same time, I dread the idea of slogging through more ponderous renditions of the characters doing something repeatedly to remind you of their situation. (How many times do I have to read about Renie's angst over her comatose brother? How one-dimensional can her father be?) Also - there are whole sections of this book that were interesting on their own, but did *nothing* to further the story. I can't deny Williams has a powerful imagination and a great talent for the written word, but I wish he'd stick to progressing the story rather than describing yet *another* dream sequence. I mean - think about it - this is a 780 page prologue! However, if you got lots of time (I don't) and don't mind reading whole scenes that are a good exercise in describing a setting but nothing more, you'll love this book. Myself - I just wish this trend in fantasy to write epics that wander about aimlessly for 1000's of pages goes out of fashion in my lifetime.
Rating:
Summary: A GREAT book
Review: WOW I do not normally read Sc-fi.. I am a fantasy buff. I picked this up thinking it was fantasy..Tad Williams.. (I never read descriptions of the stories because they give too much away) The book did not let me go, it was a serious page turner.. 3 days is all it took for this massive 780 page book, and I loved every minute.. This is a must read for Sc-fi AND Fantasy lovers....
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