Cyteen

Rating:
Summary: A fascinating look at the human psyche
Review: I found this novel to be not only excellent science fiction, but a fascinating exploration of the human psyche. The author takes an in-depth look at that which defines us as human beings from several points of view, all within a wonderfully detailed science fiction plot. I couldn't put it down!

Rating:
Summary: Worth the Time it Takes
Review: I had to read this book for a biotechnology/science fiction class at UCLA. Despite the daunting size, Cherryh's book is well worth the effort needed to conquer it. The characters are so well developed that you think you know them. Ari is quite a scary little girl if you think about the implications of her actions..quite a thought provoking book! I would recommend it to any fan of science fiction.

Rating:
Summary: Worth the Time it Takes
Review: I had to read this book for a biotechnology/science fiction class at UCLA. Despite the daunting size, Cherryh's book is well worth the effort needed to conquer it. The characters are so well developed that you think you know them. Ari is quite a scary little girl if you think about the implications of her actions..quite a thought provoking book! I would recommend it to any fan of science fiction.

Rating:
Summary: The politics of control-- genetics, psychology and space
Review: I have read Cherryh before, but I have to admit I never really got why she had such an impressive reputation before reading Cyteen. After reading Cyteen, my biggest question is why she does not have *more* of a reputation.

Cyteen (a repackaging of three shorter novels set in the Merchanter universe) is a sprawling intergenerational book which is entertaining to read even as it raises important questions about morality and identity. At its center, it features three main characters who are all genetic replicas of other older characters. These three struggle to accept their heritage while at the same time they try to own their own lives in a way that hardly seems possible, given the controlling and invasive atmosphere on Cyteen.

This is my first exposure to any of the books in the Merchanter Universe, and I did not feel as though I were missing any backstory. Cyteen is well able to stand on its own as a novel. Readers should be advised to not waste too much time trying to grasp all the concepts introduced in the first 50 pages at the time that they are introduced. Cherryh dumps an awful lot of ideas into the first few chapters, but they are all explained gradually as the book unfolds.

I would recommend Cyteen for almost any science fiction fan, particularly those who are interested in biotechnology issues. Cyteen should generally safe for teenage readers-- sexual situations (including a rape) are implied, but not made explicit.

Rating:
Summary: What ever happened to editors?
Review: I just quit reading this book. I just couldn't put up with the muddled language and tortured grammar anymore. Aren't editors supposed to fix these problems? All of the supposed political wranglings are rendered almost totally ineffective because the various factions are murky and their interests are never explained properly. I think this is because in the real world these interests would not have much (if anything) to fight about. Cherryh makes all of their interactions confusing because he/she has to at least pay lip service to having a plot in the book. I also got the impression that the author was desperately trying to prognosticate future genetics dilemnas and thereby show him/herself to be a hip, savvy, sci-fi writer.

Rating:
Summary: Slow, very slow
Review: I know I'm the bah-humbug here, everyone else seemed to like it. Someone gave this book 5 stars even though it was slow to start. For me, it was so slow I put it down and couldn't pick it up again.

Rating:
Summary: What's with you people who couldn't finish the book?
Review: I must say that Cyteen is, now, my favorite book. And, to all you people who couldn't stick it out through the first 100 pages... I'm only 13 and I read it all. The differences Cherryh places between the humans and the azi are simply incredible. Her imagination far exceeds most peoples', and can be ranked at the very top with Anne McCaffrey. This books keeps you on your toes, and thinking hard. If you don't like to think, don't bother to read Cyteen; you'd be the sort who should read something stuffy and boring like the Lord of the Rings.

Rating:
Summary: ?
Review: I originally read this as the three separate novels, 'Betrayal, Rebirth and Vindication.' Although I don't remember much about it, I give it an 8 because I thought it was a decent series.

Rating:
Summary: superb, complex work
Review: I thought Cyteen was facinating because of its treatment of human psychology. A powerful woman was murdered, and a young girl was created and raised to take her place in in science and politics. Very fascinating, although the beginning is a slow start. But stick to it; trust me, it's worth the work.

Rating:
Summary: Good parts, but mostly word-gravel
Review: I tried to read this book, but after 110 rather lugubriouspages I just gave up. There were moments when Cherryh gripped myattention, but only moments. I didn't think all that elaborate description of the government and genetics laboratories was necessary. It would have been much better if she had described the background only when it was necessary in order to understand the story. In Orson Scott Card's Ender series, for example, Card never actually describes what the Starways Congress is, or even what it does, suffice to say that it is a powerful political organization, apparently with the authority to have its own navy. That way, our minds don't clutter with unnecessary information. A good effort, but a bit too descriptive.