Hollow World Paperback – April 15, 2014

I’m trying to decide how I feel about this book. I definitely liked it. I definitely really liked it. But I didn’t love it. I was sad about that, too. I wanted to love it. Sigh.First and foremost, the writing was nothing shy of brilliant. After reading the Riyria books, I was afraid I’d be faced with something different in Hollow World, perhaps fluffy prose or overly technical sci-fi jargon. I was happy to receive neither. The writing was clean, beautiful, and moving. I love Sullivan’s voice, and for those who feel the same, you won’t be disappointed.I also appreciated the look at religion, society, and the world as we know it. It was interesting, and I had fun exploring Sullivan’s varying viewpoints of Hollow World. It was a thought provoking read. Again, very interesting.Now, here is where I get in my own way. I’ve read a few (very, very few) sci-fi books and I’ve yet to find myself a fan of the genre. Matter of fact, there’s only one series I’ve been a huge fan of. The rest are meh and I find my mind wandering while reading. Unfortunately, Hollow World was no exception. The only sci-fi books I’ve picked up are because I love the author. To say Riyria was an incredible series would be a drastic understatement. So being in love with author, I ventured into his sci-fi universe. I can’t fault the book. There was nothing wrong with it. The characters were well developed, the world detailed and rich, and, as I said, the writing stunning... but even with all it’s qualities, I just couldn’t fall in love with it.So, I’m left with the question of why? Why could I not love it? Honestly, I’m not really sure. I have two theories. 1) It’s a genre that is not my favorite. I’m an old Star Trek movie fan, grew up on them, love them. But I don’t think I’d enjoy the books. I’m a visual person. With fantasy, I’ve seen enough pictures, watched enough movies, that it is very easy for me dive into the world. Sci-fi is so diverse that I, sadly, lack the imagination to totally submerse myself into the world. That’s not to say I had a hard time visualizing the setting for Hollow World. Quite the contrary, actually. But still, there’s something about sci-fi that I just can’t sink into and lose myself. 2) I didn’t fall in love with a character. I liked them all, especially Pax, Vin, and Alva. Yet none of them snagged hold of me. If I’m not hooked on a character within the first quarter of the book, I’ll likely never become fully engrossed in the reading experience. Again, I cannot fault the character development. It was superb. I just didn’t latch on to anyone.To conclude my ramblings, I think Hollow World was an enjoyable read, interesting, thought provoking, and wonderfully written. There’s some good heart in this book, and I think those who like sci-fi will probably embrace it. As for me, I promise you this: If Sullivan were to ever write another sci-fi, I’d pick it up. I think with him, I’m guaranteed something I’ll really like. And there is always the enticing possibility of falling madly in love with it.

It has been awhile since I have read a good time travel book. My problem with time travel generally stems from the fact people want to travel back in time when I always want to go forward. This book will probably top any book featuring time travel for years to come.The plot is relatively simple. Ellis is a man with a lonely life and tons of emotional pain who gets the added kick of having a terminal illness that has no cure. Instead of moping he laughs, you see he is an MIT graduate engineer who just happened to build a ghetto time machine in his garage. His marriage is in shambles and he has no reason to not jump forward just to see what is there. He aims for 200 years and gets 2,000 instead and there is no going back.The book was less hard science and more philosophical or dystopian. Very hard to classify though as one has to wonder is Hollow World a Utopia or a Dystopia? For me it was the same thread of ambiguity that made  Brave New World  so amazing. People live in the hollowed out shell of the planet and have no hunger, disease, or war but are they really happy? When everyone is as sexless as a ken doll and lives forever you find the concept of individuality as something critical. Without an identifying chip in their shoulders they are essentially anonymous. I found the people living in Hollow World alternately beautiful and sad. Such beautiful and creative art to replicate the sounds and functions of things we take for granted now to shout their individuality to the world. Ellis was also incredibly well done as a man unstuck in time seeing everything with the wonder of a child and trying to put aside his own preconceived notions of how things are. The dialogue between Pax and Ellis about money and work was hilarious and profound at the same time. When no one wants for anything what could a person need or be forced to do? Without money why would anyone work at something they didn't love?The later conflict between Ellis and Warren right down to their ideals was incredible as well though I found myself wanting to scream at Ellis to just DO something, stop this craziness. Warren makes an excellent counter point to the entire philosophical underpinnings that flow through the book. Should we embrace change or do we hold onto the ways we have known? Do we really need God when we never die? Was the past really better or are we seeing through a nostalgic filter? I think what I enjoyed most was that ideas are more left for the reader to consider and not the opinions of the author leaking through. Those who can't or won't objectively consider musings on individuality, change, religion, or history should probably steer clear. There are some very deep thoughts to come out of this seemingly innocuous book but it will not be for everyone.Now, the whole book moved very quickly and took right off from the start with most the rough science parts rounded down for ease of grasping but I wanted more. I wanted about 250 more pages with more depth to Hollow World itself. I wanted more history between here and there and I really wanted more of Pax. Still a really amazing story and one even those who dislike science fiction can love.

Fans of science-fiction novels will no doubt enjoy this time-travelling book for its interesting ideas of what the future might be like for the human race that is forever changing, aspiring to greater things and intent on survival through millennia, in a world which is also relentlessly changing in often threatening ways.For those of us who are Michael Sullivan's devoted fans, love his writing style and have read all his fantasy books, this is a chance to read something different but equally enjoyable, while you wait for the next Hadrian and Royce installment or more goings-on in the fascinating world of Elan, pre and post Riyria (hint-hint).In the Hollow World the main characters are well developed and credible, with some quirks, and the plot, with the usual twists and turns, is well paced and thrilling. The real difference here though, is the thoughtful way in which the author presents humanity's deep ideals and aspirations, as arrived at in a utopian world that is very well built. There are some profound thoughts behind the changes that have led to this future world and I don't want to mention any spoilers, but some aspects of the future-world characters will be controversial. In my view this book is thought provoking and I would even say courageous. I do hope the author realises the potential of the world he has built so well and gives us more glimpses into the lives and conflicts of these peculiar, endearing future humans. I very warmly recommend this book.

I have been a fan of Michael J Sullivan for a long time. I love his Riyria Revelations saga & I enjoyed the Riyria Chronicles. (Not so much The Jester short story).Hollow World is something completely different from the fantasy genre that Michael is so good at creating. That being said it is a very good sci-fi.The first couple of chapters are a little dull and drab in all honesty, the introduction to Ellis Rogers' pre-time travel life feels tacked on and certainly less absorbing than his introduction to any of the characters in anything Riyria, it didn't set me up well for the rest of the book, but I decided to keep going with it. The second Chapter is a little boring for other reasons and is set immediately post time travel (I say no more for risk of spoilers).I am glad that I did. The world that Michael J Sullivan created is excellent and truly shows itself from the third chapter. The world has its amazing elements, technologies and an interesting collection of characters. The most important being Warren and Pax (I won't say an more for risk of spoilers).As the world has its all too human flaws it has enabled Michael to comment through the novel on a number of really touchy topics including Politics, Religion, Homophobia and Xenophobia. Some people won't like this, but I thought it a very clever dialoge on humanity now as much as it was a good sci-fi action romp with a good storyline.Most of the social commentary comes through Ellis' own thoughts & through Pax. (I think Michael has put a lot of himself into Pax). I find myself agreeing in large part with the moderate & reasonable stance that is commented from, though not entirely on a couple of topics.As for the base story, it has its twists, turns and a few sci-fi clichés, but it's a good story with an epic climax and then a couple of really good reflective chapters after.On the whole I love the book & I recommend it to both sci-fi fans and those interested in fictions with a social commentary that makes you think. Just please give the book a chance after the first two chapters.

I just read this book on my iPad via the Amazon UK App, and I loved it. A guy who is dying of an incurable diseases builds himself a 'home-made' time machine in order to travel a couple of hundred years into the future in the hope of finding a cure. He leaves behind a vary troubled and sad life as he activates his time machine. His calculations are incorrect and he travels not 200 years into the future but 2000 years, where everybody lives inside the earth following massive cataclysmic climate changes.The story was both intriguing and enjoyable. It wasn't a "Back to the Future" type of future but one far more believable.The pace of the story was just right and was vary well written.I emailed the author this morning to tell him how much I enjoyed his book and within a couple of hours I had a reply from him. I am always impressed when you contact an author to make comment on one of his books and they take the time to reply, so thank you Mr Sullivan.I would love to see a sequel to this book, and I was excited to read in Mr Sullivan's email that he does intend to return to Hollow World on completion of a couple more projects he has.I will certainly be looking at purchasing some more of his books.

This review comes very fresh after I finished the book only just an hour or so ago. The story is a classic retold with some nice cultural references and easter eggs. This is a science fiction time travel novel where the main protognist is diagnosed with a terminal condition with six months left to live. This news delights him in a sense, he no longer has to worry about the invention he has been sitting on for the last year. A time machine. Stuck in a dead marriage he has nothing left that is worth the risk of not trying it out. Quickly grabbing the contents of his wifes jewellery box, letters and all, he sets off to have a goodbye drink with his one and only friend. Afterwards he fires up his invention and sets the IPAD controller for 200 years, knowing fully well that this is a one way trip. The pearl earrings from his grandmother will pay for the operation he needs in the future he hopes... Unfortunately for him his calculations are slightly off and he ends up 2000 years into the future into a world completely alien to him and he sets out on an adventure that will change his entire way of thinking.Michael J Sullivan has recreated a classic type of time travel novel and given it a well and truly deserved and refreshing uplift into today's generation and perhaps a glimpse at what might be ahead for humankind?

Was looking for something standalone after finishing up with The Riyria Revelations. I don't read much science fiction, but thought I'd give something like this a shot. The premise looked interesting (time travel) and it's not a particularly long read either.Wasn't disappointed. It does start slow but picks up a little later on.It's not on the same level as The Riyria Revelations, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. It doesn't have that magic touch, but I was enthralled when the book began to explore more of the world. That doesn't happen until near the end, but it made the plot more satisfying/gripping.