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El Proyecto Omega (2014)

by Steve Alten(Favorite Author)

3.32 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

0804172021 (ISBN13: 9780804172028)

languge

English

genre

Science Fiction

publisher

Vintage Espanol

review 1: Despite seeing several not-so-great ratings given to this book on GoodReads, I nevertheless decided to continue with the book, as it was on the Featured Reads shelf at my library.Waste of time! I've made it to page 168 and I wish I've never picked this book up. The premise at the start seems intriguing, but the characters are quite dull, their behaviour a cliché, and their emotions incongruent. The tits-obsessed protagonist is not likable and I couldn't give two shits about what happens to him. In addition, the text is interspersed with covert political and religious propaganda, which most of the time doesn't add anything to the story.After the first "explanation"-packed part of the book, the setting dramatically changes and the reader is immersed into dozens and dozens o... moref pages of the main character's annoying conversations with his implant and his obnoxious thoughts about everything and everyone. The plot consists of him simply walking around and pissing everyone off for no reason.After another dramatic plot twist, the main character finds himself in some fantastic landscape where everything and everyone is trying to ruin his day, while the reader is incessantly bombarded with his obnoxious guesses and deductions.At that point I stopped reading this boring book, and I really hope the main character dies and someone eats his brain.
review 2: I’ve been a fan of Steve Alten for a number of years, since I first read MEG, probably in 2005 or so. None of his succeeding books have evoked quite the terror and sheer creepiness that one did but all have had certain qualities that keep me coming back for more and The Omega Project has kept up the tradition.A few elements of this book bothered me somewhat, especially the lack of worldbuilding regarding the Great Die-off and the quick jump from one story arc to another. In fact, there may be too many ideas so that none seem to be fully explored but I still enjoyed the overall concept. In particular, I’m always won over by man’s insertion into a world so vastly different from ours and Robert’s finding himself on an Earth of the very distant future was quite engaging. However, I have to say the overdone preachiness left me cold and had me skipping pages.I can’t claim to be a hard-core science fiction reader since I find some of it inaccessible because of an overabundance of scientific fact and/or theory that I don’t want or understand well or because it’s too heavy on the military theme. I like the kind that just offers a cracking good story with well-crafted character and plot development and strong worldbuilding. With some reservations, particularly regarding worldbuilding, moralizing and pacing, The Omega Project misses the mark a bit but is still enjoyable. I’ll be interested in seeing where Mr. Alten turns his attention next.Reviewed by Lelia Taylor, October 2013. less

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