The Long Mars (Long Earth)

Well written and worth reading once you have started the Pratchett/Baxter series. And it will be a long read, given that the book contain lots of potential spin offs. An obvious omission in the plot of this book bothered me, making me remove one star in my rating.

Fantastic light read. Full to the brim with thoughtfull scientific speculation. I always enjoy the exploration of the long earth and the long mars. The whole Next conflict feels a bit tacked on. Give us lengthier exploration of the civilization across the long planets. Give us hints to the interrelationships of the long planets and conciusness.

Perhaps it's Terry Pratchett's condition that's suffusing The Long Mars with melancholia or perhaps Steven Baxter has just taken over more of the writing -- his books tend toward depressing, unsatisfactory endings. Whatever! This sequel to The Long Earth and The Long War seems to be a bit of a tribute tour with references, both implicit and explicit, to Robert Heinlein, Arthur C. Clark and even some of Terry's earlier work. Too little humor and too much stumbling around on Mars, which just doesn't seem to be worth the trouble. And the introduction of Sally's father as curmudgeon of the year hardly enhances the appeal. Nor do the "Next" who reminded me unfavorable of my grandson's smart alack geek buddies when they were in high school.