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Book Review of Chill (Jacob's Ladder, Bk 2)

Chill (Jacob's Ladder,  Bk 2)
Chill (Jacob's Ladder, Bk 2)
Author: Elizabeth Bear
Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Trey avatar reviewed on + 260 more book reviews


I'm having a hard time figuring out what I didn't like about this one.

I know that Chill was apparently a very tough job for Ms. Bear to write, and I think it shows it. To me, Chill didn't flow as easily as Dust did. I guess it may be middle of the series syndrome, even if, yes, stuff happened. Another element may be the explanation of where the crew's symbiotes and other bio-engineering came from. Sometimes a little mystery is good. Another was how everyone was manipulated perfectly by a dead character into doing what was needed. Finally, the resemblance to Frank Herbert's Destination Void is there, but with evolution standing in for AI.

I am curious about the third book, if only because I want to see where they go (back home? Onward?) And maybe take a peak at the folks that put the ship in that situation - the New Evolutionists.

Likes: Generation ship setting; interesting ideas; peak behind the curtain; use of the Xanatos plot.

Dislikes: Felt like a placeholder; a large element of 'seen it before'; ending feeling of 'Now what?'