The Android's Dream (The Android's Dream #1)

Stephen reviewed The Android's Dream (The Android's Dream #1) by John Scalzi

A servicable silly SF thriller, although already aging

4 stars

It took me a while to get into this book, as I didn't read the synopsis and therefore had no idea where it was going. In 2024, the way computers, AI, and hacking is represented seems almost quaint now. In that sense there's some real Bladerunner vibes about the book. Scalzi's humour here also references fads from the early 2000s which also date it, not well.

But it's perfectly fine, and made me smile quite a few times. If it tried less hard to be funny, I think it would have been better. Preferred Kaiju Preservation Society, although the COVID references in that will probably age it just as well!

Arbieroo reviewed The Android's Dream by John Scalzi

Review of "The Android's Dream" on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

A sputtering start (two protagonists introduced and killed off insode 50p) gives way to a servicable, somewhat (absurdly) humourous 'friller that will at least keep the pages turning. Some of it is surprising, some of it predictable and the exposition could be handled better, but if you liked Redshirts or Fuzzt Nation you'll probably get along well enough with this. He's written better and worse.

Sean Randall reviewed The Android's Dream (The Android's Dream #1) by John Scalzi

Review of "The Android's Dream (The Android's Dream #1)" on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

"Would you like to reset the default mode to not tell you when you are breaking the law?"

A brilliant way to end 2012. I was reading whilst other members of the household watched a very sad end to a long-running soap opera and my chuckles and giggles did not go down very well at all. I couldn't help myself though, things were just very funny for a reason hard to define and even harder to pin down in writing - but it was done here.

"Today, people have tried to kill me, the police are looking for me, and I've just discovered every Easter of my childhood, I ate one of my relatives with mint jelly. I'm just fine."

The opening chapter is brilliantly done, you get a laugh a minute from when they sit down at the negotiating table and the rest of the book has some pretty …

"Would you like to reset the default mode to not tell you when you are breaking the law?"

A brilliant way to end 2012. I was reading whilst other members of the household watched a very sad end to a long-running soap opera and my chuckles and giggles did not go down very well at all. I couldn't help myself though, things were just very funny for a reason hard to define and even harder to pin down in writing - but it was done here.

"Today, people have tried to kill me, the police are looking for me, and I've just discovered every Easter of my childhood, I ate one of my relatives with mint jelly. I'm just fine."

The opening chapter is brilliantly done, you get a laugh a minute from when they sit down at the negotiating table and the rest of the book has some pretty amazingly funny moments too.The end of the fourth chapter was perhaps the best in terms of dramatic tension and chapter 7 I think was the funniest of the book, serious overtones notwithstanding.

The ending was a little spoiled by the revelation of the inner ceremonial workings, which made it clear how things were going to turn out before the big climax. Still, that's my only issue in what otherwise is a very appealing, very enjoyable, Humanity wins work of science fiction. Loved it.