Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Readers, please take note of a few words the author should have considered while writing this book. I'm sorry I couldn't like this book more; I realize it must take an awful lot of time to write and publish, but some attention must be paid to the following for a really top-notch, or even easily readable book. 1. Thesaurus. The use of which would prevent the author from over using words. For example: when the author wishes to inform his readers that a character is a genius, he won't have to say, "Character X is a genius." or have another character say, "Character X is a genius." over and over until the reader starts muttering under her breath, "Yeah, I know already." 2. Exposition. This concept differs from "explication," which is when an author tells the reader something. Exposition is when an author shows the reader something and should be used as much as possible. Constant use of explication where exposition should be used makes the reader feel as though there is a barrier between him and the action. 3. Sexism. Usually I'm the last person to complain about sexism -- especially in a science fiction book, since sci-fi generally appeals more to males than to females it's very common for there to be a tilt toward sexism. Yet in this book the only positive female character is a wealthy, perfect-bodied blond whose only real talent is a positive attitude! By contrast, the other major female characters include an ambitious career driven Russian, an aggressive and not overly bright black woman, and a computer who is willing to dump her masters for humans because she thinks humans are better predators. (Like a gang moll in an old gangster movie "trading up."_) 4. Racism. Oh, yeah, the black woman. You know, it wouldn't be a problem to have a negative character who is also black, but the author doesn't just mention her race in passing, he throws it in the reader's face again and again while describing her character as aggressive, manipulative, selfish, and finally, stupid. He makes sure the reader knows she got her position not by merit, but by "affirmative action," before treating her to the inevitable grisly death. I won't be reading any more of this series, because, while some of the ideas were interesting, the execution left a lot to be desired.