Rating: 
Summary: Lukewarm response
Review: Like everyone else, I picked up this book because I enjoyed the Rama series and wanted to see what Gentry Lee could do on his own. On the whole, I was a bit disappointed. I did enjoy the characters; they seemed like interesting people. I was very disappointed, however, that we never saw what happened to Vivien et al after our protagonists split from the larger group. The plot also left a bit to be desired. Instead of flowing smoothly like the Rama series, it seemed highly constructed. Similarly, quite a bit of the dialogue sounded too much like characters in a book and too little like real people for my tastes.In sum, it was an okay read, but I'm not sure I would recommend it to someone who wasn't already involved with the Rama universe.
Rating: 
Summary: The Rama series is brilliant
Review: Though I miss seeing the Eagle in this one (smile) The mystery and suspense continue just when you thought Rama Revealed had explained everything! The Sequel is taking forever though!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Sequel info
Review: I enjoyed it alot. Like in Rama, it succeeds in creating characters with "normal" lives ( first 1/2) only to tear them out and thrust them naked into the universe, viewing humanity against a clean backdrop ( or in a petri dish ). When will Gentry Lee's Double Full Moon Night be released? Gentry Lee took some time following Bright Messengers to work on his Rama CD Rom game. Currently Double Full Moon Night is scheduled for release in the spring of 1998.
Rating:
Summary: 1st half: Engaging; 2nd half: Head Scratching
Review: The first half of this book was very entertaining. It was so interesting that i read until i was bleary eyed. I picked up the book because at the end of the Rama series there was an excerpt from Bright Messengers, which I really enjoyed. Once Johann and Sister B started their escapades on the river I felt the book fell apart. It just didn't work. What's with Sister B? After the Yasin episode she suddenly thinks it's "okay" to ___? I don't want to ruin it for those who haven't read it. Head scratching ending. I got to the end and all I could think was "that's the end?" I will read the sequel just because I want to find out what happens. Perhaps the writing will be a little more focused and less verbose (unlike my review).
Rating:
Summary: Excellent! I can hardly put it down!
Review: Impressive! Excellent storyline that keeps the reader spellbound. The author carefully leads the reader into the story and allows the reader to become a participant and not just an observer. The reader is then able to easily identify with most if not all the main characters. The reader will experience all the emotions of Johann, the piousness and faith of Beatrice and the egocentrism of Yasim. I enjoy being caught in the midst of a story and Mr. Gentry performs well to involve the reader such that I found myself sharing, and questioning philosophies with the characters. I read "Rama Revealed" in 1995 which made Bright Messengers an easy choice when I found it in a bookstore. Enough said! Read the book. It's great! I am searching for the sequel, "Double Full Moon Night". Where is it??? I want it now!!!
Rating:
Summary: More Sci-Fi and Less Talk...
Review: This story is a faithful attempt to follow the RAMA universe as best as possible. However, being that this is Lee's first clean break from the successful RAMA collaboration with Clark, one can immediately see the change in writing style. I believe it was Gentry Lee himself who said "What it takes me 5 words to say, Arthur (C. Clark) can say in 3". This book is an excellent example of that very statement. He is very descriptive, and at times, to a fault. I often found myself wishing that this "Amusement Ride" would end soon, and that a point was somewhere near. The science fiction within Bright Messengers leans much more to the overwhelming than to the awe-inspiring nature of the RAMA series. It is borderline unexplainable fantasy, rather than an attempt to remain within the "Known Universe of Understanding" that Clark is noted for. It is almost akin to sci-fi/fantasy style of Heinlin. As for the ending... I won't give it away, except to say that I believe that the story is far from over, and that I would like an opportunity to see how it develops in the next book.
Rating:
Summary: Dark and depressing....when is the sequel really due out?
Review: I'm not sure the "Bright Messenger" has made our world (or any world) any less dark or depressing yet. As with other books from this author, I was unable to predict what was going to happen from one page to the next. Guessing what might happen in the sequel is next to impossible and having to wait now for close to two year past the announced sequel's original due date is next to unacceptable. Hopefully the sequel will make it out before I've forgotten about looking for it.
Rating:
Summary: Very Good, Want More.. Have you read....
Review: I enjoyed this book as well as the others in the series.Wheres the next part... While waiting, I read and enjoyed the "Reality Dysfunction" 2 books with another 2 just came out. I also read the book "Red Mars" and will continue the rest of the series. So if you liked this, try these..
Rating:
Summary: An excellent story based in true humanity.
Review: It's 1998, it's been two years since I read Bright Messengers, and it seems that there are a lot of people out there who share the exact same feelings as I do---"Where is the sequel" was said in nine out of ten reviews. I'm glad I wasn't the only one bothering bookstore clerks every time I went into a store. Anyone who loved Rama would like this story. Mr. Lee has a nack for finding the true essence of science fiction--not warp drives and the tenth dimension, but what people DO with warp drives and the tenth dimension. Any good sci-fi story--or any story, for that matter--is based on human condition, and Mr. Lee is an excellent "Overlord" for the Rama world. Well done.
Rating:
Summary: A good read but not up to the Rama books yet
Review: The story was fast-paced and intriguing, to a Rama veteran perhaps too familiar, although with different faces. What bothered me was that the 22nd century European political situation and the political and cultural attitudes of the characters had not changed one iota from the 1990's, which seems highly unrealistic. It is also irritating when English authors make careless grammatical errors when including sentences in other languages (in this case, German). Nevertheless, I look forward to reading the sequel.
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