Hide this

Results from Google Books

Click on a thumbnail to go to Google Books.

Gridlinked by Neal Asher
Loading...
MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingConversations
647116,922 (3.68)15
Loading...
won't like will probably not like will probably like will like will love

Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book.

Showing 1-5 of 11 (next | show all)
Highly mediocre is probably the term that best sums up this book. For the most part its a bog-standard 'super-agent in space' type of story, with rather derivative ideas and plot elements and thoroughly uninteresting characters [one of the few things that does stand out is the psychotic android Mr. Crane, and I notice that the author has devoted an entire book to this character down the line which has my curiosity piqued].

The plot and worldbuilding is also mediocre - in the sense that things are not well thought out, there are logical inconsistencies, and can't help getting the feeling that the good guys are actually not very good at all. The whole idea of the Polity, [all-seeing state run by AIs for the good of mankind], its raison d'etre [bringing order to the universe], its gestapo-like secret police which goes about ruthlessly crushing separatist movements across the galaxies reeks of fascism.

But obviously that is over-thinking what is essentially a bloody sci-fi/james bond blend of popcorn. For what it is, its a reasonably fun read. ( )
  iftyzaidi | Jun 10, 2008 |
The title of this book is somewhat misleading. The central character begins the novel ‘gridlinked’ that is, connected permanently and wirelessly to the Internet of the future. However for reasons of his own health he is advised to disconnect and does so. A fair amount of the book details his slow reintegration after spending such a long time hooked up... http://icantstopreading.blogspot.com/... ( )
  lorelorn_2008 | Feb 23, 2008 |
at the time I thought: bit derivative, all action driven. But it sticks in my memory and doesn't go away. I need to read more in the series I think. ( )
  m.a.harding | Jul 22, 2007 |
I received this book as a swap. It was really good. Not the newest idea but a fun read and glad my swap partner chose this book for me. ( )
  gerleliz | Mar 21, 2007 |
Showing 1-5 of 11 (next | show all)
no reviews | add a review
You must log in to edit Common Knowledge data.
For more help see the Common Knowledge help page.
Series (with order)
Canonical Title
Original publication date
People/Characters
Important places
Important events
Awards and honors
Epigraph
Dedication
First words
Quotations
Last words
Disambiguation notice
Publisher's editors
Blurbers
Original publication date2001
SeriesPolity: Ian Cormac (book 1), Polity: Universe (1)
People/CharactersIan Cormac, Mr. Crane
Book description

Amazon.com Product Description (ISBN 0765349051, Mass Market Paperback)

Gridlinked is a science fiction adventure in the classic, fast-paced, action-packed tradition of Harry Harrison and Poul Anderson, with a dash of cyberpunk and a splash of Ian Fleming added to spice the mix.

Cormac is a legendary Earth Central Security agent, the James Bond of a wealthy future where "runcibles" (matter transmitters controlled by AIs) allow interstellar travel in an eye blink throughout the settled worlds of the Polity. Unfortunately Cormac is nearly burnt out, "gridlinked" to the AI net so long that his humanity has begun to drain away. He has to take the cold-turkey cure and shake his addiction to having his brain on the net.

Now he must do without just as he’s sent to investigate the unique runcible disaster that's wiped out the entire human colony on planet Samarkand in a thirty-megaton explosion. With the runcible out, Cormac must get there by ship, but he has incurred the wrath of a vicious psychopath called Arian Pelter, who now follows him across the galaxy with a terrifying psychotic killer android in tow. And deep beneath Samarkand's surface there are buried mysteries, fiercely guarded.

This is fast-moving, edge-of-the-seat entertainment, and a great introduction to the work of one of the most exciting new SF talents in years.

(retrieved from Amazon Fri, 24 Apr 2009 07:57:58 -0400)

(see all 2 descriptions)

The first test round has been closed. Visit the Open Shelves Classification group for details.

Popular covers

 

Help/FAQs | About | Privacy/Terms | Blog | Contact | LibraryThing.com | APIs | WikiThing | Common Knowledge | 45,625,046 books!