This book is a wonderful example of how sci-fi can make that which is truely alien, lovable, or hate able and definitely relatable. Some of the humans are the most alien of all.

The world building is first class, and the backdrop is part of the plot without being the whole book. The world of Grass itself is real, believable, wonderful and awful.

There's a political and religious theme that also seems plausible, but it's laid on very heavy handed. it's a clear theme the characters revolve around throughout the book.

The central character is complex, believable and demands your attention throughout. A few of the others grow and change and really make you want them to succeed.

There are quite a few characters though. Some just don't change. Some are just a plot point. Some don't seem to have a point at all. Without spoiling anything, it's not a "they all lived happily every after" story.

A close re-reading and more familiarity with Catholicism would probably help me pick up some facets I'm sure I missed, and maybe tip the rating up a bit, but even without that it's very much worth reading, and will make you question your own choices if you ended up in similar situations. ( )

I really liked a lot about this book - great world-building, characters with interesting internal lives, interesting moral introspection - but something didn't quite click for me. I'd still recommend it. ( )

Good sci-fi about the ecology of an Earth-like planet. ( )

This is an exciting and interesting novel. Other critics have pointed out its similarity to Herbert’s Dune. As far as details of the setting and the cast of characters the parallels are there, but can be ignored. The book is not a copy. The underlying philosophical themes are different. But, the head hopping point of view of the omniscient narrator was the flaw, in my opinion. With the numerous supporting characters and the fast moving plot, the head hopping was confusing at times. ( )

Reminded me very much of Speaker for the Dead. I couldn't put it down. Horror and wonder in equal parts--truly alien species and Big Questions. The more I think about it the more I like it.

Seriously, though, SO MANY characters are in love with the MC. ( )