Well performed and moving narrative

I am starting to love this genre of generational sci-fi. very interesting having the perspective of plants as well as humans portrayed. It was a bit dark and upsetting at times, but also heroic and moving.
I am shocked that this is Sue Burke's first full sci-fi novel like this and am excited to read whatever she comes out with next.

2 people found this helpful

A riveting story with a great concept

The main idea and one of the main characters in this novel are utterly fascinating : what if a plant were as intelligent and self-conscious and civilised as humans? What if plants' chemistry and biology were tools as flexible and powerful as human technology and science? What if a plant could shape life and evolution on a planet? The story is far more complex and intriguing than that, as humans from a future Earth lands on a faraway planet and learn to adapt and evolve their lives and civilisation according to their new environment, trying to coexist with the (quite smart) animals and plants on it, and finally with the remaining members of an ancient civilization, all in the name of that peace that on Earth could not be maintained. Brilliant interpretations of the narrators, as humans' and plants' points of views alternate in the novel.

1 person found this helpful

Good concept

Three narrators, one superb, two.... not so much. I very much liked the whole concept of the storyline and it rolled along nicely but towards the end became somewhat lacklustre and the end, I thought , had no impact or real meaning. Maybe I had unrealistic expectations, but that's why I haven't rated this book highly.

1 person found this helpful

Absolutely superb, excellent story

very unique story told in a fashion I've never encountered before. The science was spot on, the title perfectly reflecting the relationship of fungus, plant and humans. It makes you wonder what could be.

1 person found this helpful

an excellent one of a kind that makes you think

an excellent one of a kind that makes you think about our lives and perhaps we will not always be at the top of the food chain

1 person found this helpful

Semiosis

A good idea having the apex "animal" as the plants. A good read but felt the ending was too soon and a bit rushed.

So interesting and well thought out

I love this book and the sequel! so interesting and thoughtful, with an intriguing narrative of humanity

Great idea let down by narration

Excellent idea, great world building and the changes of generations was a really good way to show development of evolution through the book.

Occasionally the writing style was infuriating , many 'he said' 'she said' 'he said' dialogues that were just lazy writing with such expert narrative in other places.

The 3 narrators were good at showing different parts however the main drawback was the female narrator. Her tone of voice was sardonic throughout. Every character she narrated was twisted into a snotty mid Western housewife with a superior condescension of everything and anything.

Such a shame for a fresh and invigorating scifi idea. Glad I listened to it but will be checking the narrators more in the future to avoid the one of the three.

Very enjoyable - highly recommend

Really enjoyed this listen. story, pacing, and narration were all great. I felt it could have gone a little deeper very easily but the setup for a sequel is all there so hopefully we’re going to get some more.

Looking forward to the follow up

Wasn’t quite what I expected but I enjoyed this book overall. Some interesting ideas in regards to the plants and their interactions. Looking forward to the sequel. The narrators were ok, some of the voices they did were abit naff and the female narrator had a strange inflection in her voice that sometimes made her sound like she was asking a question when she wasn’t. I got used to it after a while.