Rating: 
Summary: If this is the best, then you haven't read much.
Review: I'll admit, David Brin is a talented writer, but this book is far from genius. He writes about a thousand different storylines, and then ends every single one with a perfectly happy ending. I won't give away the book, but trust me, everything works out perfectly. It's cheesier than a Brady Bunch episode. The ending was an incredible LETDOWN. Aside from being shallow, the science behind the book was bad. Any linguist will tell you that the explanations about communication were weak. You can't make the dolphin species talk, and then not explain it. This book really has some low points.
Rating: 
Summary: My (tied for) favorite Science Fiction book!!
Review: Along with "A Fire Upon The Deep" - this is my favorite sci-fi book. Wonderful, gripping - ive read it many times
Rating:
Summary: An astounding book
Review: I read a wide selection of SF books, from the classics to some pretty weak efforts, but this is among the best I've seen. Everything in this book _works_. The idea is intriguing, the characters are engaging, and Brin's treatment of the aliens is convincing. My favorite aspects of this book are the poetic language and thought of the neo-dolphins, and the way in which Brin makes you sympathize with even the "bad guys" in the book. A must read!!!
Rating:
Summary: Don't give Flipper a phaser!
Review: Submerging and wonderfull. The book grabs at you and doesn't want to let you go. It contains some amazing characters, both dolphin and human, that will lead you through a great tale of the stars. If you want to get hooked on SF, read Startide! I just found out that Paramount Pictures is going to do a movie version! Look out Starwars, here comes Flipper!!
Rating:
Summary: One of the best sci-fi books I've ever read
Review: Most sci-fi books are good for a single read and that's it; they're like most mystery and adventure novels that way -- fun, but nothing to get worked up over. Startide Rising is far, far different. The concept of Uplift itself, which is inherent in all of Brin's books, is worthy of several dissertations in literature, philosophy, and xenobiology (when that field ever develops...). The story is taut and keeps you guessing; the characters are real, even when they are utterly alien (and I must say here that Brin develops the most alien-aliens I have ever read about). I read the Foundation trilogy and dismissed it; I read 2001 and was amused for a while. Conversely I have read Startide Rising three times already and will be back for a fourth read soon. It's that good.
Rating: 
Summary: A tiring read
Review: I was actually rather dissapointed in this book, especially after how much hype seemed to surround it.David Brin seems to take on much more than he can chew in 'Startide Rising'.. he ends up following about 10 threads, and doesn't do any of them justice... his story lacks almost any good characterization and his imagination of science (fiction) in general seems weak. I had a very hard time bringing myself to actually finish this book...
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: "Startide Rising" will surely be remembered as one of the best sf novels of the late twentieth century. And Brin as one of the very top sf novelists of his generation. Do you like Heinlein? Zelazny? Asimov? Then try "Startide Rising" -- it's in the highest echelon of literary sf.
Rating:
Summary: Hands down best scifi book I've ever read
Review: While still being critical, this is the best sci-fi I've read. Brin's ability to imagine thought processes and inherent cultural differences between humans and various alien species is unparalleled. It becomes apparent that he derives aliens' way of living from certain animal or insect species on earth, which may in fact help the reader relate to them. This is the best of the uplift series.
Rating: 
Summary: Better than the first Uplift Novel
Review: This was a very good book. Much easier to follow and more interesting than the first Uplift novel. The continued saga of the human race as a wolfling race is very interesting, I can't wait to read the next one in this series!
Rating:
Summary: This is what SF is supposed to be!
Review: This book lived up to its hype. At times it was a bit slow, but the last 50 or so pages are some of the most exciting I've ever read. I loved the author's style of writing, and how he seamlessly switched between characters. I hope the other books in the series can live up to this one.
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