Customer Reviews

Sentenced to Prism

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There are plenty of other reviews that explain why, but this one is ADF's masterpiece (and makes you wonder what's happened with the drek he's written lately) and IMO one of the top science-fiction novels ever written. It is all here - a truly alien environment, a genuine sense of wonder, amazing situations, entirely unexpected twists, and a rousing (ok - and a wee predictable, but what do you expect?) ending. Can't praise this enough, and am amazed it remains out of print.

One of Mr. Foster's best. The world he creates is full of surprises to the people who go there and the reader who follows. Finding a world based on silicon life forms and intelligent life based on their form and function rather than just evolution is very, very clever. The story twists keeps me reading it over and over. A must read for ADF readers.

Unlike most SF books where the properties of life are pretty much the same with a bunch of carbon based life-forms interacting with each other, this book features a world where the creatures are DIFFERENT.

I hope this book gets reprinted in the near future. It's great!

A friend of mine lent me a copy of this book, and I couldn't put it down. The descriptions of the inhabitants of Prism shows Foster's fabulous imagination. I give it 4 stars for the wonderful descriptive qualities alone. It would be next to impossible for two different people to imagine the same kinds of creatures as set forth in the book. The only downside to the book is that the plot/story development is fairly typical/ametuerish sci-fi. But the monsters: Very imaginative! Worth a read.

Foster always seems to touch on an aspect of human sociality in each hardcore sci-fi book. In Quozl, he dwelled on adolescence, Slipt, elderly complascence. Prizm explored fashion and human vanity, not to mention human superiority. He has an astounding vision and extremely flexible biological views. He has been one of my favorite writers since I read "The man who used the Universe" back in 1978. Not being a sci-fantasy buff, I cannot reccommend all his works, but I strongly endorse all hardcore sci-fi.....TTM III

THis was the first SF book I read all the way through. I was 12. I had picked up other SF books before that, like Clarke's "Rama" and "2001" but they just couldn't entertain me( remember I was 12, they have sense become main staples) but Prism was just what I was looking for, action, adventer, aliens(really alien) monsters, gore, all the things that any 12 year old boy looks for.

It is so disappointing to see this exceptional book out of print. I urge anyone interested in exciting, unpredictable sci-fi action to run to the nearest used book store and hunt it down.

The descriptions of the planet of Prism are innovative and enticing. They prove beyond a doubt that nothing is ever what it seems and there is no possible way to prepare for the unknown.

When Evan Orgell was placed on Prism, he was outfitted with a state-of-the-art, impenetrable survival suit; impenetrable, that is, in predictable conditions, like earth, but on a new and incredibly different world, anything can happen. Be ready to be surprised.

Evan Orgell thought he was ready for everything, but he was not ready for a world where everything was new and unknown. From the beginning Foster draws you into the story with his rich detailed descriptions of a place that you can only imagine. You will find yourself turning page after page impatient to learn more about this beautiful but deadly place.

Minimum Maturity Level - Teen
Mild violence. Some graphic descriptions. Mild Language (barely remember, probably used the S-word once or twice) but not bad.

Previous Reading Required - None
This book can be read as a stand alone story.

Reading Level - Average
Easy to follow. Some words become a little confusing but you get to understand it within its context. Other than that, very little confusion.

Rate of Development - Fast
Gets into the thick of things pretty quick.

The Story - Good
A new world has been discovered. A new world which is silicon based rather than carbon based. Most of the inhabitants seem crystalline in structure rather than organic. The government controls planetary development through the "Commonwealth". A company has secretly set up a research station in advance in hopes to get ahead in research before the planet is made public. But something has gone wrong. There has been no communications from the station for their last report. A specialist within the company has been called in to investigate. Equipped with a state-of-the-art survival "suit", he attempts to solve the mystery. Upon arrival, he discovers that this planet is very much more alive that you would think.

My Suggestion - Recommended
This book would make a great movie only for its visualizations. The author does a good job in describing the dangers and surroundings of the planet. He actually made me fearful of what lies out on its surface, unprotected by the survival suit (i.e. creatures that explode in needles, razor sharp crystalline grass, acid spitters, spheroid steamrollers that crush its prey).

First of all, this is an wonderful book. I have read it several times, and I own several copies, including the one I just purchased/received from YOB (Your Online Bookstore) :) I highly recommend getting a copy of this book. You will thoroughly enjoy this unique and well-written story. Don't think about it - just do it! ;)

Secondly, I am a HUGE believer/supporter/advocator of great customer service. GREAT customer services makes ALL the difference in the world. YOB is a company that WILL do whatever it takes to make you a happy customer. You can't beat that! :D You cannot go wrong doing business with a company like that. Choose YOB and you'll be happy. =o)