Rating: 
Summary: disappointing and way too long
Review: I loved Brin's other Uplift books but Brightness Reef (indeed, the entire trilogy of which it is a part) is a long-winded dud. It introduces a few enticing ideas, but constantly gets bogged down in useless character development and leaves way too many loose ends without resolving anything. This entire trilogy could have easily been condensed into a single volume, and at least two-thirds of the characters eliminated completely, without losing any of the core content. As it is, the three volumes lack continuity and the main ideas and characters introduced in the beginning turn out to have no relevance in the end. NOT RECOMMENDED.
Rating:
Summary: Very Boring
Review: I really enjoyed Brin's first trilogy and bought all three books for this series upfront. What a disapointment! This book was very boring.
Rating:
Summary: Uplift series continues to get worse and worse
Review: Uninteresting world-building, juvenile characters, and absurd plot. David Brin has written one of the all time great science fiction novels (Startide Rising), but nothing of interest in this one.
Rating: 
Summary: A good start to a promising new trilogy
Review: This is the first instance of David Brin writing a trilogy. As a book in his Uplift universe, it continues to introduce us to new races, viewpoints and ideas, with a complex plot and interesting characterizations. While it is a bit too long (things don't get happening quite fast enough in this 650 page book), it is fairly well paced. I look forward to reading the next book, Infinity's Shore, ASAP. Buy this and read it soon! (I would warn readers new to the Uplift Universe to read his other novels first, most especially Startide Rising, an excellent book that is the predecessor of Brightness Reef.)
Rating: 
Summary: A great new perspective
Review: Having read and enjoyed the first Uplift Trilogy, I came to this book with high expectations. In a way, Brin dashed my expectations by radically changing the setting and context - and the plot he laid out in no way conformed to what I saw coming. This is one of his strengths, though: He has a rare ability to explore diverse topics in unusual ways.Suffice it to say, this book succeeds marvelously. I found myself staying awake late into the night to find out what was going to happen next. The diverse and fascinating races depicted, and Brin's ability to imbue each with clearly defined points of view without lecturing about it, are the highlights of the book. So too, the nature of the multiple levels of conflict that drive the plot. My only fault with the book is that, in order to get all the different points of view across, Brin had to break up the story into too many parallel storylines each told from a single character's perspective. While this was essential if he was going to express all the different characteristics of The Six, it tends to break up the flow of the story, making it harder to follow at times as one jumps from one arena to another. Thankfully, Brin handles this well and this is at worst a quibble. However, I don't recommend reading this book if one has not already read the first Uplift trilogy. I'm sure it could stand alone as a novel, but I am convinced that a thorough understanding of the Galactic culture in which the story takes place is vital to fully appreciating the conflict and the book. So, if the first Uplift trilogy was to your liking and you're wondering whether or not to give the second a try, I say buy the book. You won't be disappointed. OTOH, if you haven't yet read the first trilogy, I strongly suggest you go and get Sundiver and work your way up to this one from there. I doubt you'll regret it.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting first book in the New Uplift Trilogy.
Review: Brin has constructed an intriguing culture based on six species of intelligent creatures who, for whatever reason, have all come illegally to a world that is supposed to be left alone and set up their own civilization. The Sooner religion is also very fascinating. It cannot compare, however, with the mighty goings on in the first Uplift Trilogy, Startide Rising in particular, and it is good that it does not try to exceed them for it would have failed had it done so. Brightness Reef, the first half anyway, is more a leisurely Mark Twainesque tour of Brin's masterfully designed civilization and is really quite enjoyable in that aspect. The character of Alvin is especially delightful during this part of the book, along with his assorted group of friends of various species. As soon as the action starts picking up, though, the character that really steals the show is Dwer, a man-of-the-wilds whose interactions with a practical joker of a noor and a bitchy adolescent girl are positively comical.
Rating:
Summary: More, more, MORE!
Review: After the ho-hum "Sundiver," the astounding "Uplift War," and the unreproachable "Startide Rising," Dr. David Brin has returned to his "Uplift" universe with nothing less than book one of a new trilogy! And he does so with his usual uncomparable skill at inventing bizarre yet believable alien species, deep and personable characters, and thorough and interesting story-telling. Best of all, this book brings back some of our favorite characters from "Startide Rising," continuing the story that I thought was over. Although this trilogy doesn't end quite as spetacularly as it begins, this first book is a must-read for those who want to know the latest developments of the Uplift universe.
Rating:
Summary: Brin strikes again with his great writing and originality
Review: Excellent character development, realistic action and interaction, a good plot line ... Well worth a look if you are an Uplift fan or not.
Rating:
Summary: A bumpy start, but well worth the initial struggle.
Review: As with most colossal tales, the first book in any series can tend to be a bit confusing. However, as you read complacently along, Brin sneaks up behind you and before you know it, YOUR HOOKED! Likle an expert angler, Brin weaves a web of stories that appears baffling at first, but as the threads slowly join together, a story is woven that is staggering in it's majesty. I, for one had my breath quite taken away by the end of the book and could hardly restrain myself from bolting immediatly to my local book purveyor to purchase book two. The new uplift trilogy was well worth the wait. However, I don't recommend reading the previews of the next book at the end. I've found this only leads to unneccesary anguish if you don't have the next book close at hand. It's that addictive.
Rating:
Summary: To all "Star tide rising" fans, the streakers are back!
Review: I'm a big fan of scifi novels but David Brin doesn't just write books about little green men. Some the caracters are much worst than that, but are belivable.The book makes you think about issues like environment, racism, feelings, in a non agressive way, because is in another planet. But that planet could be ours. It seams to start slowly but after a couple of chapters you can't put it down. The caracters have so much life, in spite of the dificulty you have imagining them (compare the author's picture with the one on your mind). I find myself at loss for words, but if you are a scifi fan, and you enjoid "Star Tide rising", you must read this new book.A word of warning, it's a new trilogy so be sure to buy all of the books before start reading this one, or you'll have a hard time surviving the waiting...
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