TVLuke reviewed The Gripping Hand by Larry Niven (Moties, #2)
Review of 'The Gripping Hand' on 'Goodreads'
2 stars
The Mote in God's Eye while I though flawed in it's speed and storytelling was rather original so, despite the dismal reviews, I continued on in the series. The Gripping Hand has more of exactly the things that made the first book a bit of a bore. It takes forever to get the story of the ground, including a completely pointless storyline introducing an entire cast of characters that disappear as soon as the actual story get underway (which is after almost half the book). When the story finally starts it contains mostly characters from the first novel, however, very few except the central figures of Bury and Kevin Renner are actually relevant. New characters are introduced, they suck. It's like the stars of a first movie making a quick entrance in the sequel to give the low budget production some credibility, its Sam Jackson showing up in the first …
The Mote in God's Eye while I though flawed in it's speed and storytelling was rather original so, despite the dismal reviews, I continued on in the series. The Gripping Hand has more of exactly the things that made the first book a bit of a bore. It takes forever to get the story of the ground, including a completely pointless storyline introducing an entire cast of characters that disappear as soon as the actual story get underway (which is after almost half the book). When the story finally starts it contains mostly characters from the first novel, however, very few except the central figures of Bury and Kevin Renner are actually relevant. New characters are introduced, they suck. It's like the stars of a first movie making a quick entrance in the sequel to give the low budget production some credibility, its Sam Jackson showing up in the first episode of "S.H.I.E.L.D." or Charlton Heston in the second Planet Of The Apes movie... There is no good reason for it, other then in TV or Movies, writing already established characters does not cost any extra money.
Emotionally the book will do absolutely nothing for you. There are moments that could have been touching, they are not. The history of the empire and the Motie civilization is expanded a bit, but not by much new or interesting things. The finale is almost hectic, given the leisurely pace the book contains up to that point. It makes you which Niven had found some middle ground, a speed to keep all through the work.
So, do I recommend this? If you liked the first book and have time on your hand... why not. There is a third part of the series, and I don't know yet but maybe it makes sense to read them in the right order and maybe the third one is any good? I will find out.
