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Caro the Helmet Lady's Reviews > Altered Carbon
Altered Carbon (Takeshi Kovacs, #1)
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Caro the Helmet Lady's review
bookshelves: s-f, the-challenge-2016, buddy-reads, dicks-and-whatnots, mystery-crime, cyberpunk
Nov 29, 2016
bookshelves: s-f, the-challenge-2016, buddy-reads, dicks-and-whatnots, mystery-crime, cyberpunk
Hard-boiled and hard-balled cyberpunk novel, which is also a noir detective story. I really liked all the sci-fi entourage, although I could use less violence and more humour, which could probably happen if it was written by Roger Zelazny. But I also liked the philosophical side, the twisted psychological side and basically limitless possibilities of the Kovacs' world. Who himself was almost a superhero, with a decently human softer side. He reminded me strongly of my favourite cyberpunk heroine, major Motoko Kusanagi (he even had an invisible suit, you guys!). In general, it all gave me a strong Ghost in The Shell deja vu feeling, but not in a bad way.
Half star off for too many "deus ex machina" moments. Will I read next book in series? I definitely will.
****
UPDATE 2017, July. I just learned Netflix is making a tv series and it's pretty much on the way to our screens. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2261227/ I hope they don't screw it up!
Half star off for too many "deus ex machina" moments. Will I read next book in series? I definitely will.
****
UPDATE 2017, July. I just learned Netflix is making a tv series and it's pretty much on the way to our screens. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2261227/ I hope they don't screw it up!
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Reading Progress
May 9, 2015
– Shelved
May 9, 2015
– Shelved as:
to-read
May 9, 2015
– Shelved as:
s-f
November 9, 2016
–
Started Reading
November 29, 2016
– Shelved as:
the-challenge-2016
November 29, 2016
– Shelved as:
buddy-reads
November 29, 2016
– Shelved as:
dicks-and-whatnots
November 29, 2016
– Shelved as:
mystery-crime
November 29, 2016
– Shelved as:
cyberpunk
November 30, 2016
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 78 (78 new)
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Ričardas
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Nov 24, 2016 10:51PM
Well, not so big difference from other cyberpunk books, where a lot violence and no emotions, but noire gives more disturbing "dirt" feel here. Takeshi is not romantic at all :)
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Skardas wrote: "Well, not so big difference from other cyberpunk books, where a lot violence and no emotions, but noire gives more disturbing "dirt" feel here. Takeshi is not romantic at all :)"That's true, all of it. I guess because I've read just a couple of days before a lighter and funnier book, makes me get this gloomy feeling.
But the torture episode was the worst. :/
Actually I liked how author tries to show the world from female body perspective (more sensitive feelings) and is important moment for revenge (takeshi killer instincts takes over), but here is probably spoiler.
Skardas wrote: "Actually I liked how author tries to show the world from female body perspective (more sensitive feelings) and is important moment for revenge (takeshi killer instincts takes over), but here is pro..."Nah, I already went through this part.
Glad you found your cyberpunk hook in this book :) Good luck and enjoy the next book in the series :)
Orient wrote: "Glad you found your cyberpunk hook in this book :) Good luck and enjoy the next book in the series :)"Thank you! I certainly will, but now I have to finish my Book Challenge. Do you have any ideas for the book with month in the title? :/
Nothing amazing or gripping :/ I've read January wasn't special, more suited to teens. Did you try https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...
or
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Yeah, I saw those but nothing exactly interested me. Or... Maybe I should read Moominvalley in November??? :D
Skardas wrote: "Satan Burger :)"huh?
surrealism with a lot violence, sex. reminds altered carbon but if you want to relax I recommend Lucius Shepard https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
Oh, thanks! but it's not like I'm complaining at the lack of books to read! :)) I just need a book for my reading challenge, with one specific condition - there has to be a month in the title.AS for Shepard - I've read some of his works and I quite enjoyed it. That book you sent the link for is on my to-read list. :)
Caro wrote: "Yeah, I saw those but nothing exactly interested me. Or... Maybe I should read Moominvalley in November??? :D"
Lol, definitely! :D
Current month or any month?
Any month. I think I'll read Moomins, just for lolz. Unless you know any sci-fi books like that?
Zelazny had one book with month in title. also space opera in my to-read-list:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
Skardas wrote: "Zelazny had one book with month in title. also space opera in my to-read-list:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3..."
You mean Keys to December or something like that? I can't find it on GR. :/ But I was considering reading it, because I have it on my HD.
I had in mind "A Night in the Lonesome October" but now I see you loved it :) "Keys..." is short story
Short story is better than nothing. ;)Yeah, that one is one of my favs ever.!!!
I liked the combination of cyberpunk and noir, though I also thought there was a bit too much sex and violence and little humor at all. Speaking of Motoko Kusanagi and Ghost in the Shell, I just saw the movie trailers with Scarlett Johansson and it looks pretty sweet.
Stuart wrote: "I liked the combination of cyberpunk and noir, though I also thought there was a bit too much sex and violence and little humor at all. Speaking of Motoko Kusanagi and Ghost in the Shell, I just sa..."It looks pretty sweet, but I'm afraid they're going to make a senseless mash-up from most visual scenes from manga and movie and series with no deeper thought. Although I pray I was wrong.
Oh, nice thought! Agree on the improvements / modifications if Zelazny had written it.
Carol. wrote: "Oh, nice thought! Agree on the improvements / modifications if Zelazny had written it."I was thinking about it all the time while reading. "And if it was Zelazny, they would say bla bla ba and they would joke around about bla bla bla..." in such manner. :))
Sad wrote: "Did you see the TV show? :)"Uh, planned so, but life had different plans for me, so no. Did you???
I seen two episodes, and I am looking for people to share the fangirling with :D
Sad wrote: "I seen two episodes, and I am looking for people to share the fangirling with :D"Omg, you, fangirling! That must've been a blast of a show!
I rarely fangirl, but when I do.... :D Well, I could have done a few things differently, but as a cyber punk sci-fi it somehow works with my inner vibes and aura.
Yo, gal, we heard you like some vibes and aura, so we added some vibes and aura to dis show! ;)
Gud. Veri. Gud. Happiness me :D
Sad wrote: "I rarely fangirl, but when I do.... :D Well, I could have done a few things differently, but as a cyber punk sci-fi it somehow works with my inner vibes and aura."Well, just finished watching the series... and I must say - THE BOOK WAS BETTER!!!! So Sad, it's a must read. For you!! ;)
Caro wrote: "THE BOOK WAS BETTER!!!!"I was afraid of that, but thanks for confirming Caro. Will start with the book and see how it goes.
I still haven't finished the series and still haven't started reading the book, but I trust you :D
I hate how they watered down everything with family drama. >_> Won't spoil for you girls, but I so wanna discuss it! xDBtw, comments are not working properly again, or is it just me before my morning coffee kicks in >:/
I am sure it's comments :/ I probably missed gigabytes worth of something people said to me. Awesome oblivion... I also disliked that police girl. She was so stereotypical :D
Caro wrote: "I hate how they watered down everything with family drama. >_> Won't spoil for you girls, but I so wanna discuss it! xDBtw, comments are not working properly again, or is it just me before my mor..."
Yeah, family drama and romance. Idk why they had to embellish and add that...
Milda wrote: "Yeah, family drama and romance. Idk why they had to embellish and add that... ."Right? Those dialogues! It was so cheesy and sappy, omg, completely ruined everything.
As for police girl, weeeell, a lot of that wasn't in the book too, soooo.... xD
Makes me worried about Witcher. If they make it all about romance and family drama... I'm gonna cryI know how to recover the right atmosphere after watching Altered Carbon and wash of all the sappiness - start reading Broken Angels. :D
Milda wrote: "Makes me worried about Witcher. If they make it all about romance and family drama... I'm gonna cryI know how to recover the right atmosphere after watching Altered Carbon and wash of all the sap..."
Exactly what I'm going to read after the Miserere. ;)
And omg I hope that's not the case for Witcher, otherwise it's gonna be worse that the polish series D:
Now I am so afraid :D Of that Geralt will be stay-at home daddy for his infant daughter Ciri, while Yennefer will try to juggle three jobs while trying to maintain the relationships of her family. The gay neighbor Dandelion will work as a nanny sometimes.
Sad wrote: "Now I am so afraid :D Of that Geralt will be stay-at home daddy for his infant daughter Ciri, while Yennefer will try to juggle three jobs while trying to maintain the relationships of her family. ..."Yeah, Witcher aka Modern Family Guy xD Dammit, I'm terrified!!!
Damn, some news would be great, since it's nerve wracking :/
Sad wrote: "Damn, some news would be great, since it's nerve wracking :/"Yeah, it's still work in progress...
Has it been announced who will play Geralt? I haven't seen any real updates on the show's progress in while, just a lot of blog posts speculation.
We're actually all afraid it's going to be someone absolutely unacceptable :D
I just remembered - Nikolaj Coster-Waldau was suggested as a possible Geralt by fans (pure speculation ofc). I can see him though. I think he could pull off Geralt's sarcastic side really well.
Milda wrote: "I just remembered - Nikolaj Coster-Waldau was suggested as a possible Geralt by fans (pure speculation ofc). I can see him though. I think he could pull off Geralt's sarcastic side really well."And IMDB doesn't show many projecta in 2018 for him... Hmmmmm...
Milda wrote: "I just remembered - Nikolaj Coster-Waldau was suggested as a possible Geralt by fans (pure speculation ofc). I can see him though. I think he could pull off Geralt's sarcastic side really well."Would work for me !!! I'd like that! I'd love that! :3
