Ringworld's Children
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Average Customer Rating: (47 reviews)

Reviews from Amazon customers:

Review by: Andrew Connors, Virginia, VA
Rating:
A Tired Boring Prequel
I liked the original Ring World series, and like any book I enjoy, I found myself reading each book in a day or so. <br /> <br />I decided to read RingWorld's Children on the strength of the original series. However, after a couple of weeks, I am still only a 3rd of the way through. I picked it up again today - after reading the new Dune series book and other - well more interesting - books in between, I found it hard to keep reading. <br /> <br />Why? Well I decided, sadly, that the story is just plain boring, It drones. It reads like a sad tired addition to the series that I get the distinct impression that Larry Niven probably did not want to write. <br /> <br />I honestly do not think I can finish it - which is probably the worst thing I can say about a book. I'll keep it by the toilet in case one day I have a bad case of diarrhea and run out of toiletry boxes to read. <br /> <br />It is really quite sad.

Review by: Rodolfo Salas
Rating:
Very happy
The book is in excellent condition. It arrived quickly and it was at a very reasonable price. <br />I am very satisfied with this purchase.

Review by: Eric Kramer, Boston, MA
Rating:
One of Niven's best, but...
I think this book stands up well in comparison to other books in the Ringworld series. The story moves quickly, especially in the first 150 pages, and Niven's ability to combine action and hard sf is in top form. The book will be especially rewarding for readers who, like me, have long wondered what the ringworld was like when it was originally built, governed by a coalition of Machiavellian and super-intelligent beings, rather than the wrecked civilization it became. <br /> <br />The main difficulty for the reader is the amount of effort required to understand and enjoy the story. First, it is helpful if the reader is very familiar with the three previous ringworld books, and with the novel Protector. The novel is definitely not a stand-alone story. Second, over the years Niven's writing style has become increasingly telegraphic, so that important plot points are often covered in just one or two sentences. Thus, I recommend reading this book slowly. Trying to read it all in one sitting will give an unfocused and unsatisfying experience. <br />

Review by: thefensk, NC
Rating:
It's getting better
Larry, Larry, Larry. Where have you been? Like just about everybody else, I found the original Ringworld to be one of the most awesome SF stories ever written. I found Ringworld Engineers to be a worthy sequel. Like others, I found The Ringworld Throne to be a bit disappointing when compared to the other two but it was still entertaining and it was a good read. <br /> <br />Now we have Children of Ringworld. Like I asked at the top of this review. Larry, where have you been? The book is a fairly accurate glimpse into the Larry we grew to know and love in the first two books. Yes, you can entertain us, but here you return to that total immersion into the enormity of Ringworld. The book has new characters, new situations, and more than a few surprises. <br /> <br />Larry, you've got us. Keep it up.

Review by: calrocker@hotmail.com, New York, New York
Rating:
Quite possibly the worst science fiction book I have ever read -- from a huge fan of the first "Ringworld" book
I just had the misfortune of reading this book. The only reason I was able to get through it is that I was on a very long flight and had nothing else to do because my laptop battery died. <br /> <br />I remember a way back when reading the very first Ringworld book and being entranced. My goodness, how the mighty have fallen, just like the floating cities on the Ringworld. <br /> <br />From the get-go, this book is unbelievably confusing. Niven spends way too much time with confusing conversation between the characters, and other than Louis Wu and the puppeteer, it's difficult to discern who the other characters are and how they fit into the story. The reader has to sit through pages and pages of confusing conversation, with events moving either too slowly or too quickly in between. The Ringworld is a fascinating place, yet we have perhaps three or four pages of description in the entire book. <br /> <br />Niven ought to read the "Rendezvous with Rama" series by Arthur C. Clarke, which is also a four book series. Now that is some masterful writing. <br /> <br />Question -- is Larry Niven on drugs? <br /> <br />Thank goodness I didn't pay for this book -- I got it from the library.