Rating: 
Summary: I really enjoyed the book. . .
Review: . . .but once again, it is evident that Robert Forward's scientific achievements, which are many, are not matched with great writing skills.This book hypothesizes an alien race, living on a frozen world on the very edges of the Solar System, in an existence only 30 degrees (Kelvin) above Absolute Zero. The science is extremely well-conceived, the aliens (once one accepts the science) are believable, and the character development in all the humans (and all but one of the aliens) is virtually non-existant. Even the dialogue seems stilted. But then again, one does not read Forward for character development! In this respect, the true Forward fan will not be disappointed. The book does get rather "preachy" toward the end -- and I find this a bit annoying -- but overall, the book is a good read, with the caveats previously mentioned.
Rating: 
Summary: Refreshing view of ET
Review: A new are reviving view of life that gets away from the humanoid people that speek english on an earthlike world. The book explains a new and previously unheard-of viewpoint as to how life could evolve in seemingly impossible habitats. A must read for avid SF readers and newbies alike.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting
Review: A truly interesting concept and story arc; some people have criticized it for the fact that there's so little plot, but as an anthropologist I found the cultural study to be quite cool. On the down side, the characters *are* rather two dimensional, as others have noted, and in fact the appendices to the book give the whole plot twist away. I didn't look at them until after I had finished the book, but even so, I kind of had an idea where it was going. But I still liked Merlene.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting
Review: A truly interesting concept and story arc; some people have criticized it for the fact that there's so little plot, but as an anthropologist I found the cultural study to be quite cool. On the down side, the characters *are* rather two dimensional, as others have noted, and in fact the appendices to the book give the whole plot twist away. I didn't look at them until after I had finished the book, but even so, I kind of had an idea where it was going. But I still liked Merlene.
Rating:
Summary: Could skip the middle 2/5 of the book
Review: After the set-up in the intitial chapters, there isn't much development. You could skip ahead to the last two fifths and not miss much. As one other reviewer said, you can read this in an afternoon, but it is a worthwhile addition to a science fiction collection.
Rating:
Summary: Could skip the middle 2/5 of the book
Review: After the set-up in the intitial chapters, there isn't much development. You could skip ahead to the last two fifths and not miss much. As one other reviewer said, you can read this in an afternoon, but it is a worthwhile addition to a science fiction collection.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating Concept
Review: As with his outstanding work Saturn Rukh, Forward does an excellent job of imagining the sort of totally alien anatomy/physiology/culture that one would expect to evolve on other worlds. Highly recommended to fans of SF.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome hard-science, surprisingly empathetic characters
Review: Been a while since I read this one, and this is the only one of Forward's novels I've read. However, his strict adherence to a 'hard science' philosophy of SF is apparent, and pulled off with amazing believability. The alien creatures in this story are entirely their own, without borrowing too heavily from our own biology and history as inspiration. I am tempted to give it 4 stars, but am sticking with 3. The story is highly readable, and short enough you could finish it in a day to absolutely make it a worthwhile addition to your collection of SF. I only found myself wanting a bit more punch and drama to the story.
Rating:
Summary: Folly of evolution
Review: Engaging science with a technical appendix for the bomb. However, the basic premise that evolution is true is made hard to swollow by the absurd proposition that a nuclear bomb could be designed in its totality by chance in order to propagate a species. For that I can't suspend my disbelief and the mood was lost. Which came first, the bomb or the DNA for the bomb? The bomb essential to the next generation is so intricate that a minor change from it would render it ineffective. Unfortunately, what is so clear with a machine is unclear to many when it comes to biology.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting theories on life at 30 degrees Kelvin
Review: Forward provides interesting theories on how life could be sustained in the absence of solar energy but, I felt like I was one of the crew, entering the telebots for one boring shift after the next. Frankly, I couldn't wait for the book to end.
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