Blood Music Paperback – May 20, 2014

Michael Lynn McguireTop Contributor: Fantasy Books

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A single book without a prequel or a sequel

April 28, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

A single book without a prequel or a sequel. I read the very nice trade paperback that was originally published in 1985. Somebody in rec.arts.sf.written recommended the book to me so, thanks !

An unscrupulous scientist converts his lymphocytes to have native intelligence. The inhabitants of Earth are eventually totally affected by this fast spreading change. I did not totally understand the ending and I wonder if the author did. That said, I enjoyed the book.

3 people found this helpful

If You're Going to Enjoy It More Than Once--Go Hard Cover

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Robert Duncanson

January 8, 2017

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

I've read this book twice and listened to it as many times more on disc.

This is also the second copy of the book I've bought since my first ended up a gift but I still wanted a copy for my library.

Perhaps it's Bear's concept of an integration of nanobots forming a construct that surpasses humans' capacity, perhaps it is a development that an altered consciousness will create on our altered world, perhaps it is his playing out of a theme of transformation that rivals 2001 but Bear's Blood Music is just pleasing and thoughtful to a superior degree for me.

I bought a Book of the Month copy because it is in great condition. If I had loads of money I might buy a first edition signed by Bear. That ain't going to happen!

Buy hardcover for yourself or your heirs or paper for yourself.

This is a great book worth reading, keeping, and reading again.

One person found this helpful

Mostly good until it goes all cosmic on you

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Desert Rat

March 8, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Anachronistic but mostly a good read. You need to tolerate a couple disconects and evaluate it as if you were reading it in 1985 or so. First, it is set somewhere in our future but the World Trade Center is still in tact. Second, post 1985 understanding of microbiology and genetic manipulation is absent. I.e. although it is stylistically modern (21st century) there is much about it today that makes it very "vintage" SF. If you can those glitches aside it is very readable.

However, for my taste but maybe not for yours, the story goes to hell about 2/3 of the way in. From what felt like pretty classic hard "SF" the story transmogrifies to become way too metaphisical, new age, "force be with you" BS. Maybe it's just my age but I get along better with Day of the Triffid or even On the Beach resolutions to an end of the world story. I know some will not share my sensibilities but that's just the way I respond.

8 people found this helpful

Great book, very well-written and researched by an author ...

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BornluckyUSA

July 2, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Great book, very well-written and researched by an author who obviously knows the New York City area. Extremely suspenseful, by the end of the book my hands were sweating. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a good thriller, as well for anyone who is curious about serial killers and how it is quite possible that one of them could be living among us while appearing to be perfectly normal.

One person found this helpful

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April 1, 2018

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This gets into the subject of altering ones genes. This is hypothetically possible and the author depicts the consequences of doing such a thing.

One person found this helpful

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May 31, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

First read this book and it came out. This is the second time that I've read it over 15 years later and I still find it fantastic and original. Greg Bear is a national treasure.

2 people found this helpful

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April 28, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This book was not as thought provoking as some of his other books because it required much more suspension of disbelief to stay with the plot line and the fact that the characters were not consistent through out the plot made it harder to stay involved with the personal dimension. In past works I could see other ethical dimensions which were tested by the collision with rapid evolution.

One person found this helpful

Great book. Interesting philosophical underpinings

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