I only read about 45% of this. I was impressed by the author's knowledge and use of a lot of technical biological jargon and ideas. That said, it was quite tedious. I was surprised that several of the characters who were experts in their fields jumped at the idea that dramatic evolutionary changes could occur in a single generation, but I had to bail when I saw Lamarckism coming. ( )

SF. Very good about a major evolutionary change in humans and how society cannot deal with it rationally.

Great slow burner. Ended up going out and buying myself a copy of the hardcover because I enjoyed it so much, but despite having read this at the beginning of August I haven't yet gotten around to reading book 2. I think I got burned on Greg Bear when I decided to read something of his when I was either in middle school or high school, and just wasn't old enough to read it and actually understand it, so I've shied away from him ever since. I did the same thing with the Dragon series of Anne McCaffrey's, and when I finally got around to reading it I devoured the whole series. I think, now that I've come back to him, Greg Bear and I are likely to be good friends. ( )

Well, I did like the story concept but for me the "big reveal" just did not satisfy me. Also, it seemed to drag on the last fourth of the book. Having said that, I have no plans to read he second one.
( )

So… I like the science ideas presented in this book…but the further I got into it, I felt the flatter the characters became(though the female lead at times exhibited some trope tendencies, but maybe not; maybe just my reading into things). But these are more minor quibbles than major impediments.
And then the last third or so, it became a different book from what it had been in the beginning- but I realized this was due to the progression of the plot which had moved beyond the political infighting that was so much a part of the beginnings. And upon further reflection, this is where the plot had to go; while reading, I had anticipated the plot going the way it went, so I can’t be surprised when it went there.

If you read it, read it for the science. I think if most books steadily build to a climax, this one out of the gate starts at a high level and maintained it most of the way through

Edit/update: so I think I was harsher in my initial review than I intended; I think I was unduly influenced having read some one star reviews that amplified some thoughts I’d had, but they were minor compared with the over all impact of the book, so I edited my review.

PS. Highly interesting review in NYRB Why Did They Vanish a book by Rebecca Wragg Sykes titled Kindred: Neanderthal Life, Love, Death and Art exploring new discoveries in archeology and our relationship with Neanderthals.

Recommended by Shannon ( )