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I was reading this for #ShelvedByGenre, and I have to say I liked each section less and less. The commentary on the (proposed) cyclic nature of time and the ideas that the seeds of empire are within all human efforts are interesting, for sure, but frankly I found it all depressing to read. (This tracks with Walter M. Miller Jr. being a very depressed man, working through the horrors of WWII.) I will say I found the first section to be a quite excellent novella on its own terms. (It's my understanding that the novel is a fix-up; part of my dislike is the large changes in tone and feel.)

My usual questions: Was it good? Yes Did I have fun? Yes Did I like it? Not so much

I do love a book that has a complex structure, and this deftly weaves back and forth across decades, months and days to tell the story. The mystery is pretty good but the real star is the themes of family, alienation and otherness. I would have loved more, but then I always do; the pose is fairly workmanlike but I cannot identify anything actually lacking with it, this is purely personal preference.

Did I like it? yes Was it good? yes Did I have fun? yes

3/3, I'd recommend to almost anyone.

My usual three questions: Was it good? Yes Did I like it? Yes Did I have fun? No This is an unusual octant to be in. I'm quite sure a deeper reading would be rewarded, but I simply don't have the urge to. Our protagonist is expertly and fully broken down, but he's not really built back into . . . anything. Which is a perfectly valid, even interesting literary choice, it's just not something I enjoyed overly much.

Fascinating and informative book. I loved the emphasis on the role of chance in biological history, the idea that no species or ecosystem is inevitable. Following a single location through time across the extinction event allowed for a great look at change. Could probably have used one more pass by an editor, but I still easily recommend it to anyone interested.

Just as engaging the second time around. I highly recommend to anyone.

Day three draws to a close. Many signs and the things they signify are known, and many things are not known. The impending imperial envoy looms large over us . . .

Not the strongest in the series, but still fun. 3/5

Looking forward to this as the start to the next season of Shelved By Genre!