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  • Probably closer to 2.5 stars, this book started off really slow for me. I didn't really feel engaged till about halfway through. Though its a prequel, I have not had a chance to read the first 3 books published about the Hain universe. Perhaps, if I had, I would have got a bit more out of the ear ... Continue

    Probably closer to 2.5 stars, this book started off really slow for me. I didn't really feel engaged till about halfway through. Though its a prequel, I have not had a chance to read the first 3 books published about the Hain universe. Perhaps, if I had, I would have got a bit more out of the early parts of the book.

    It is a novel with big ideas, but very little action until that halfway point of the book. Unlike "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress", which has the seeds of lunar revolution occurring from the beginning, the beginning of this novel doesn't have that immediate sense of tension which put me off to start. I was expecting a similar sort of feel going in and when it wasn't there, I felt a little let down.

    My local library doesn't have the first 3 books (in publishing order) of the Hain universe, but I am interested in reading them, if for no other reason than to see if it raises my appreciation of this book. I fully expect that were I to go back and reread this story again at a later date, that I would enjoy it more now that I have a different set of expectations.

    

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• ― Braydin said on Jul 30, 2008 | Add your feedback

Shevek, a brilliant physicist, decides to take action. he will seek answers, question the unquestionable, and attempt to tear down the walls of hatred that have isolated his planet of anarchists from the rest of the civilized universe. To do this dangerous task will mean giving up his family and possibly his life. Shevek must make the unprecedented journey to the utopian mother planet, Anarres, to challenge the complex structures of life and living, and ignite the fires of change.

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