Rating: 
Summary: Very interesting story with a few minor flaws
Review: I have not read much of Larry Niven's work, and I don't consider myself a fan, but I though that "Destiny's Road" was a fine book. It was not a typical hard sf (technology dependent) story, and based on the inverse correlation between positive comments about this book and the number of references to the ringworld books, I assume that this book was not characteristic of Niven's previous books either. It is a very good "coming of age"/adventure story in the pattern of Heinlein's better juvenile stories. I thought the actions of the protagonist were believable, because Niven portrayed well the stagnancy of Spiral Town and the pull of the unknown. It is true that the text could have used a stronger editorial hand. At points the dialogue was difficult to follow, and there did exist a small number of inconsistencies in names and directions, but I don't think that these shortcomings or the preconceptions arising from Niven's previous stories should damn this text to the dustheap.
Rating: 
Summary: Could have, would have, should have
Review: This could have been such a great book. There is creative science fiction throughout, but you only get a glance, and then the story moves on. I was frustrated that Niven didn't elaborate on the planet life much at any point. Also, because the main character is constantly moving, the characters change SO frequently that by mid-book, I just wanted it to end. Just when you figure out who Niven is talking about, he abandons them and you are faced with a large band of new people. Even the main character's name keeps changing! I got 3/4 through this, flipped through the rest, realized that the endless stream of new characters was indeed endless, then quit. It just became a struggle to keep up with what was going on. Too bad, it had such potential.
Rating: 
Summary: Reads like a first time author's worst attempt.
Review: A disjointed plot with poorly developed characters this would have been the end of Niven's career if it was his first book. It is painful to attempt to read this book. Several imaginative plot scenereos are presented and then discarded to move to the next.
Rating:
Summary: Not one of Niven's better works...
Review: Slow reading for the first ~ 250 pages and then the ending is weak
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting World but poor character Interaction
Review: Larry Niven creates and interesting world in this book but it is hampered by poor character interaction and way too much sex(it isn't graphic but I counted twenty instances of the main character getting lucky). I'm not being prudish, some is fine, but eventually you begin to wonder if the book is less Sweeping world building sci-fi and more Harloquinesque sci-fi.
Rating:
Summary: Extremely interesting characters searching for a plot.
Review: Larry niven has once again performed an exellent job of creating an extremely interesting and diverse cast of characters. Since so much of the book is spent in a very unNivenlike society devoid of even the most basic understanding of any technology beyond the most primitive tools, he was able to spend considerable literary effort in developing the characters. I enjoyed following the exploits of Jemmy Bloocher (AKA Tim Bednacourt, Andrew Doud, Jeremy Winslow, et al), but found myself profoundly disappointed in the book's ending. In fact, the entire final third part of "Destiny's Road" seemed like a hurried attempt at brining the novel to an end, with many of the details that made parts one and two so enjoyable missing. Overall it was good reading that lacked a good ending.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful idea, poor execution and editing
Review: Oh, why, why? So many good ideas, so many errors. Why can we assume that no one, in 27 years, would recognize fertile speckles at Swan Lake, and then have Jemmy assume that if he scatters speckles along the Crab, the next time there is a merchant/settler disagreement, the settlers will recognize and cultivate the speckles? It just doesn't make sense. Far more likely that some merchant, maybe one who has been a prole at the Windfarm, recognizes speckles plants on the Crab and takes appropriate action. Anyone notice that it was stated that outside the Crab, speckles are free--yet Jemmy and Harlow discuss that speckles have to be bought. Give me a break.
Rating:
Summary: Different but good
Review: This book was a change of pace from Niven's usualy writings (Ringworld, Known Space) but very enjoyable. I loved exploring this new world. A worthwhile read.
Rating: 
Summary: Simply great Science Fiction
Review: Having read almost all of Niven's (& collaborators') books, I just have to say; thanks Larry Niven, for a great read! I couldn't put the book down. Masterfully crafted! It made you think; where is this going, what will I learn next? This is the mark of a true storyteller. All I want from a book is that it captures my attention. The trick is to not pick up a book with preconceived notions. I'm glad I opened up my mind to Larry Niven's latest, most wonderful world!
Rating:
Summary: What a dissapointment
Review: This was a disapointment after his two other book set on Avalon. The caracters are two dimensional, hardly human at all. I couldn't identify myself with them, they talked and acted with the unmhuman hero-psyke wich Niven, unfortunatly, often use. The biosphere was interesting however.
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