2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Reaching beyond limits for both man and technology, February 14, 2010
With many virtual worlds in a state of decline due to the surge of traditional web-based social networks, I thought this was still an interesting and valuable subject to revisit. And since I am a long time fan of both the venue of Second Life and the avatar turned author Dalian Hansen, this was the perfect novel to re-examine.
It is a shame that Second Life has not proven to be as viable a technology as originally promised, which would add credibility and interest to it as a backdrop and location for this novel. However, that in itself does not diminish the value of this work.
There are few premises in the science fiction genre that are original. Even that concept of time travel is over a century old. What I like about this book, and what continues to draw my praise for it, is the creative way the story weaves traditional science fiction themes into the emerging virtual world platform. It brings both the internet and 3D environments into the realm of urban legend.
The book ANIMA is geared to people interested in Second Life, but it has a broader reach that can connect with any science fiction fan. It certainly has a longer shelf life than a book of memoirs by a once popular politician or now forgotten self-help guru.
This is because regardless of the success or failure of Second Life and virtual worlds in general, Dalian Hansen tells a good story.
To be sure, it is best compared to a pulp novel of the dimestore variety. But then, that is where most of the great and innovative science fiction classics originated from. They too were an emerging and misunderstood genre in their day.
So I continue to applaud this effort to blend the traditional with the imaginative. For the sake of the story, it would be great if Second Life turned out to be all the things the author imagined.
But thankfully the story was written with enough merit that even if the setting proves a less than desirable location it remains an interesting and enjoying read about man and his often spooky relationship with technology.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
1 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting idea bogged down by the limitations of a bad setting..., December 6, 2008
I recently picked up a copy of Anima on the advice of one of my professors and wound up rather dissapointed with it. The base idea is... interesting, but it's nothing unique. Person from future directs person from past to save person farther in the past via a computer program. It's been done, though not often.
Instead, the uniqueness is promised by the relation, specifically, to the Second Life World. While this is an interesting premise, it ultimately leaves the plot rather empty, mostly in light of the fact that Second Life is a terrible game if you're not a political scientist, sociologist, or creepy internet nerd, and an even worse setting for a book.
Over all, if you're a fan of Second Life, it's worth a read. If you're not, don't bother to pick it up. You're wasting your time. Hopefully we'll see more from Hansen, preferably in a setting that's somewhat interesting.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
