Rating: 
Summary: Apt story rates as more than just another scifi book
Review: I am an avid reader of both science fiction and general literature. It is rare that I find a science fiction book that has elements in common with classic literature, and I am not simply referring to the Gilgamesh theme. Do not mistake what I mean, I am a scifi fan, but scifi by its nature tends to defeat itself on some fundamental levels of literature. So I was surprised when I pulled this from the scifi/fantasy section of my local bookstore. This novel is not only a good smooth read that moves fluidly, it also covers themes ranging from the terror and tragedy of sudden godhood to both macrocosmic and microcosmic views of humanity to the pleasant insanity of parenthood. This will go into my pile of books to re-read along with things like 'Franny and Zooey' by Salinger.
Rating: 
Summary: Good premise, lousy execution
Review: I read this book as a teenager and loved it. Now that I'm older and wiser I go back to this book and cringe, however, I still go back. This is one of those rare books that I like *despite* the terrible characterization, dialogue, pacing and plot. Maybe it's just the premise that I find attractive, but I think it might also be the potential this whole set up has. In any case, this novel is better than its sequel which while written and characterized better, preaches and moralizes to the point of making me ill. Don't read How Like a God with high expectations, but read it anyway, if only to get you thinking.
Rating: 
Summary: A favorite of mine
Review: I was talking about this book to a friend and flipped open amazon.com to look up the spelling of the author's last name -- and was shocked to see so many negative reviews of this book. It's been a favorite of mine since I found it, worth many rereads. Questions of pacing reflect each reader's own preferences, of course, but for myself I found nothing rushed or unexplained, and I found the ending deeply satisfying. I hesitate to suggest it of strangers, but perhaps other people read this book too quickly and missed the themes so eloquently resolved by this ending. (For some context, I have been a voracious science fiction reader all of my life, with a slight leaning toward space opera and fantasy; I have only small experience with comics.)
Rating:
Summary: A favorite of mine
Review: I was talking about this book to a friend and flipped open amazon.com to look up the spelling of the author's last name -- and was shocked to see so many negative reviews of this book. It's been a favorite of mine since I found it, worth many rereads. Questions of pacing reflect each reader's own preferences, of course, but for myself I found nothing rushed or unexplained, and I found the ending deeply satisfying. I hesitate to suggest it of strangers, but perhaps other people read this book too quickly and missed the themes so eloquently resolved by this ending. (For some context, I have been a voracious science fiction reader all of my life, with a slight leaning toward space opera and fantasy; I have only small experience with comics.)
Rating: 
Summary: How I came to write this book
Review: I wrote this book to examine the moral implications of a SFnal happening. Also, I wanted to have fun things happen!
I was particularly inspired by the reworking of Superman's origin, about 10 years ago. The comic book Powers That Be decided that Superman should develop his superpowers in his late teens. No more Superbaby, Superboy, etc. This seemed deeply wrong to me. If you developed godlike powers, would you just strap on a cape and start leaping tall buildings? Wouldn't there be other, more painful consequences? So I fixed it, and this book is the result.
Rating:
Summary: This book made a believer out of me.
Review: I'm not a science fiction fan. At least, I didn't think I was until I read Brenda Clough's book, How Like A God. The cover made me want to pick it up and once I started it, I couldn't put it down. My husband picked it up next and felt the same. I hope Brenda Clough is well on her way to the next title. We'll be looking for it!
Rating: 
Summary: Good premise, terrible execution
Review: In brief- I thought the dialogue was stilted (How many times can do they say 'Holy Mike!' in each chapter?), and major plot points were rushed and unrealistic. I found it doubtful that Rob would have had such a sudden and incredibly drastic reaction to his powers (ie, running away to New York), nor did I understand the point of his being a bum. Gilgamesh, Barbarossa, Julianne- all the characters were totally flat. The only reason I stayed through was for the intriguing concept.
Rating: 
Summary: HOW LIKE A COLLEGE WRITING ASSIGNMENT
Review: Like many, the description of this novel's premise hooked me, but within only a few pages, I was literally groaning out loud. Brenda Clough's idea was wonderful, but was squandered on an execution so amateurish, I find it hard to believe a qualified editor even read it. Truly, the dialogue was so silly, it verged on parody. (Adult american men do not EVER say "Gee whiz!", or "Gosh, no!" or "Holy Mike!". And no straight man I know responds to another man's filthy appearance with "My goodness, you're a mess! Let go shopping!") The characters in this book were no deeper than the pages they appeared on, with trivial acts causing absurd levels of tormented 'soul-searching' in one chapter, and life-altering events tossed off with a shrug in the next. If it wasn't for the fact that I was truly intrigued by the premise, I would have done the (for me) unthinkable, and tossed a hardcover in the trash. Note to the publisher: Hire someone who knows how men talk to each other to at least read what you're considering putting into print... I'm seriously wondering about the quality of the other books bearing your logo.
Rating:
Summary: Terrible
Review: Please, don't waste your time reading this pedantic book. The author clearly thinks she is a superb writer, but unfortunately has a tin ear.
Rating:
Summary: Deep characterizations are prevalent here
Review: The author has done an excellent job at providing deep, thoughful and yet creative characterizations. I am an avid reader and I find very few books of this genre that have characterizations this deep! And, the book was a joy to read!
| 
