Islands in the Sky

Rating:
Summary: Agree with others, teen book
Review: I enjoyed it but I have to agree with other reviews, it is a book for children or teens.

Rating:
Summary: Good fun
Review: Islands In The Sky is certainly not on par with such later Clarke masterpieces as 2001 or Rendezvous With Rama, nor is it intended to be. This very, very early Clarke novel is just about the only work in his entire canon that seems to have been written with the teen audience in mind. The protagonist is of the "coming of age" age that is commonly featured in such stories, and Clarke uses this to narrarate the story in a slightly condescending, naive tone that is appropriate for such a character. It's quite different for Clarke, who usually writes in such a philosophical, poetic style. It reminds a lot of Robert A. Heinlein's many excellent juvenile novels. As such, this book, while far from being Clarke's best work, this book serves as an excellent introduction to Arthur C. Clarke's incomparable canon, or to the wonderful world of science fiction.

Rating:
Summary: A great start
Review: My first sci-fi book. Embedded in my memory. Bought by a parent at a rummage sale some time around the early 70's. Lost it. Now I've ordered it for my 8-year old son (who reads more than I do).

Rating:
Summary: Cute...much like Starman Jones
Review: My first science fiction book was Starman Jones (excellent book for all you early, early teenagers). This reminded me of that, but with far more science and less coming-of-age. Generally not a bad book, but not his best.

Rating:
Summary: My first Sci-Fi, now my daughter's
Review: This book was my first introduction to Sci-Fi. Recently in cleaning out the garage I found that book (copyright 1952), rather tattered and torn. My 8 & 6 year old asked me to read it to them for a bedtime story. Although some big words for the kids, it does get their imaginations going. The technology sounds familiar, and the plot can plod along - but it's got the excitement for a younger generation just getting away from books with pictures.

Rating:
Summary: Worth the read.
Review: This is a fairly entertaining book that established Clarke as "the inventor of the communications satellite."

Rating:
Summary: Worth the read.
Review: This is a fairly entertaining book that established Clarke as "the inventor of the communications satellite."