The Lives of Tao (original 2013; edition 2013)

by Wesley Chu

Series: The Lives of Tao (1)

Members	Reviews	Popularity	Average rating	Mentions
905	64	25,289	(3.55)	44
Fiction. Mystery. Science Fiction. Humor (Fiction.) HTML: Goodreads Choice 2013 Nominee - Science Fiction When out-of-shape IT technician Roen woke up and started hearing voices in his head, he naturally assumed he was losing it. He wasn't. He now has a passenger in his brain � an ancient alien life-form called Tao, whose race crash-landed on Earth before the first fish crawled out of the oceans. Now split into two opposing factions � the peace-loving, but under-represented Prophus, and the savage, powerful Genjix � the aliens have been in a state of civil war for centuries. Both sides are searching for a way off-planet, and the Genjix will sacrifice the entire human race, if that's what it takes. Meanwhile, Roen is having to train to be the ultimate secret agent. Like that's going to end up well... File Under: Science Fiction [ The Tug of War \| I Was Genghis \| Diary of a Slob \| Spy vs Spy ] .… (more)

▾Book information

Member:	feralis
Title:	The Lives of Tao
Authors:	Wesley Chu
Info:	Angry Robot (2013), Mass Market Paperback, 464 pages
Collections:	Your library
Rating:
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The Lives of Tao by Wesley Chu (2013)

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Showing 1-5 of 65 (next | show all)

What a fun espionage alien story! I was a little annoyed with some pacing choices near the end, but that may just be me, overall the story was engaging, amusing and fun. (

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Pepperwings | Aug 27, 2024 |

Yes this one was good. Good writing, good characters, good plotting, interesting premise. I'll definitely be reading the follow-ups. (

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JudyGibson | Jan 26, 2023 |

I finished this book *checks watch* 8.5 hours ago because I had to.

I'm glad I have the second one already awaiting me.

It took me awhile to get into this novel, but that's me, not the story (I'm not a history buff). I trusted the author, and got sucked in, and have won the best reward ever, a new world in my head! (

)

terriaminute | Dec 4, 2022 |

It has been a while since I read this. And I have decided not to reread it, but write what I remember. And that is, sorry to say, very little. A war, good side, bad side. Lots of fights. No real new way of handling this.
I always wonder why peace loving people kill because the other is "wrong" or attacking, 'so I have to hit back'.

Did try for the sequel but ended up putting is away.

It was entertaining but not lasting (

)

Timmerdame | Nov 2, 2022 |

Ugh. Like reading a first-person shooter video game, complete with all the sexism such games tend to have, and an extra helping of anti-Catholicism thrown in for good measure. Ugh. (

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VictoriaGaile | Oct 16, 2021 |

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▾Published reviews

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thingScore 75

Eye-rolling male gaze aside, I really enjoyed this book. Tao's voice is well developed, and there's a lot of genuine humor as he interacts with humans and other Quasings. . . . This is the science fiction equivalent of beach reading, and I imagine that it will find solid success with a broad swath of SF readership.

added by karenb | editStrange Horizons, Karen Burnham (May 24, 2013)

▾Other authors

» Add other authors (5 possible)

Author name	Role	Type of author	Work?	Status
Chu, Wesley	—	primary author	all editions	confirmed
Argh! Oxford	Cover designer	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Naramore, Mikael	Narrator	secondary author	some editions	confirmed

▾Series and work relationships

Belongs to Series

The Lives of Tao (1)

Is contained in

Tao. Die komplette Trilogie: Die Leben des Tao / Die Tode des Tao / Die Wiedergeburten des Tao by Wesley Chu

▾Awards and Honors

Awards

Alex Award (2014)

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Chicago, Illinois, USA

Monte Carlo, Monaco

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Dedication

To my parents, Mike and Yukie Chu

First words

The five most egotistical personalities in history. Go.

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(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)

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▾Book descriptions

Fiction. Mystery. Science Fiction. Humor (Fiction.) HTML:

Goodreads Choice 2013 Nominee - Science Fiction

When out-of-shape IT technician Roen woke up and started hearing voices in his head, he naturally assumed he was losing it.
He wasn't.
He now has a passenger in his brain � an ancient alien life-form called Tao, whose race crash-landed on Earth before the first fish crawled out of the oceans. Now split into two opposing factions � the peace-loving, but under-represented Prophus, and the savage, powerful Genjix � the aliens have been in a state of civil war for centuries. Both sides are searching for a way off-planet, and the Genjix will sacrifice the entire human race, if that's what it takes.
Meanwhile, Roen is having to train to be the ultimate secret agent. Like that's going to end up well...
File Under: Science Fiction [ The Tug of War | I Was Genghis | Diary of a Slob | Spy vs Spy ]

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