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This book is a complete guide to total joint arthroplasty for orthopaedic surgeons presented as a...

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Sexually Transmitted Diseases: A Guide for Primary Care, second edition, covers the diagnosis and...
Journey into Social Activism: Qualitative Approaches
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Academic study of social activism and social movements has become increasingly prevalent over the...

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From the author of the bestselling 5:2 Fast Diet and Fast Diet Recipe Book - - Mimi Spencer presents...

Blood on the Stage, 1600 to 1800: Milestone Plays of Murder, Mystery, and Mayhem
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Audiences throughout the centuries have always been drawn to theatrical productions that feature...

Joe Julians (221 KP) rated Artemis in Books
Feb 17, 2018
Artemis isn't a bad book and there's plenty of things to enjoy here. The moon based setting complete with it's changes in gravity and Kenyan set up make for an interesting read. There's a ton I want to know about Artemis and Weir does a great job in bringing this place to life. But it feels like there could have been more explored here and it's like the surface is only just being scratched.
With his central character, Jazz, we basically have another version of the lead from The Martian. The same wise cracks are there, but whereas with Mark Watney the wise cracking feels natural- here it feels forced. It doesn't help that Weir decided to write this from the perspective of Jazz, a Muslim woman. Some of the worst aspects of the book are based on that decision. Some of the dialogue here is appalling- embarrassing even. There were many moments I just groaned at how childish some of the things he makes Jazz say are. This doesn't feel like a woman talking. Instead it feels like what it is- a man trying to write as a woman but failing. Which is a shame as Jazz is an interesting character and one I could at times enjoy spending time with- other times though I couldn't stand her. Characters are a problem across the whole story really. Side characters feel under developed and there wasn't really anyone that I could single out as a highlight- none of them felt natural.
There's issues with the story itself too. This is essentially a heist story, but the heist is actually the least interesting part of Artemis. Rarely did I find myself invested in what was going on and this actually got worse as things went on. The first half of Artemis did a good job at setting things up, it's just a shame that as the story started building towards a climax- it lost momentum at the exact moment it should be gaining it.
Also, the science talk. Weir loves science, that's obvious. But here it at times feels like he is showing off to prove how much he knows. I don't actually think he was, but I quickly started to faze out when he went into details about how something works as it came so hot on the heels of a previous explanation of something else. I'm also so bored of welding now that I don't want to ever hear the word again.
I feel like I'm being a tad harsh here by focusing on the negatives. I do want to stress this book isn't bad. I may have got bored and frustrated on occasion I did however for the most part enjoy it. As I said Artemis is a great place and the city is one that I would love to have him explore in future installments. And while Jazz and a lot of the things she said did irritate me, there were flashes of brilliance with the character. I think personally I would like a second book to focus on someone new, but if Weir could sort the dialogue and some of her more annoying traits out- I'd happily spend more time with her.

Studio Craft as Career: A Guide to Achieving Excellence in Art-Making
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This unusual two-section resource directs creative people toward their personal best....

Jewish Voices in Feminism: Transnational Perspectives
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Feminist theories maintain that gender issues are a ubiquitous component of our lives, intersecting...

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Japanese Kampo Medicines for the Treatment of Common Diseases - Focus on Inflammation provides...

Livestock Production and Climate Change
P.K. Malik, J. Takahashi, R.A. Kohn and C.S. Prasad
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In a changing climate, livestock production is expected to exhibit dual roles of mitigation and...