This is not usually the type of science fiction I like. It reads like a summer blockbuster. There were a few "really" moments. Too many "really" moments and I tend to give up on a book. I don't like it when characters do things that make me doubt the writers skill.

Despite this I tore through this book. It was definitely a popcorn read. I was clearly in the mood. It was filled with fun cliff hangers and non stop action. Add in the fact that the ending surprised me a little and I was genuinely entertained. It is pretty amazing when a book overcomes logic flaws for me but this one did. I sat back and embraced the summer movie vibe. Will keep reading this series. ( )

The most "can't put it down" book I've read in quite a while. Really enjoyed it and can't wait to get book #2! ( )

It took me a while to get going on this one. Fifty or so pages of dry engineering and some funny time shifting organization had me about ready to call it quits. But then, once they got to the object the story picked up and I couldn't put it down. Read it in about two days, suffering sleep deprivation today. ( )

Not being a science fiction fan, I don't know what possessed me to pick this book up. Whatever the reason, I'm glad I did. Heaven's Shadow is the 1st in what promises to be a good series, and I'm looking forward to the second installment. The story was very well conceived, most of the characters dynamic enough to start to like by the end of the book, and the writing was effective. There were some minor inconsistencies, but the detail given the inner workings of NASA was outstanding.

Overall, this was a good read that kept me entertained. ( )

Despite the rating I gave this book, I'm still not sure how I felt about it. There were times where it grabbed me and wouldn't let me go (mostly in the first half) and there were times when I just felt a little over it (mostly in the second half).

The parts that grabbed me read like the best Larry Niven SF. The science was grounded (or at least given a solid enough bogus explanation that it felt grounded), the characters were fun and interesting and the plot zipped along, hitting all the right marks for not only a SF story, but one with some action. It had a bright and shiny sheen that I rarely experience as an adult reading SF anymore.

But then came the parts that just...I don't know. They didn't grab me. There were too many characters doing too many stupid things. Big revelations that would alter the course of human thinking were either semi-ignored or swallowed ridiculously easily. The question "why?" didn't come out anywhere near enough for characters who's primary job is to observe and ask "why?"

Still, for all of that, assuming they don't go really hokey in the next two books, I'm still along for the ride.

I just wish this book didn't actually feel like it was written by two different people. ( )