The Dark Side

Great read with an undercurrent of looming advancing dread, and the momentum doesn't stop. At one time I was a voracious reader of SiFi, but at some point my interest pretty much dissolved, particularly with respect to the Space Operas. Humans, after all, are just a chemical and mineral anomaly in a pretty much un-measurable universe filled with flying rocks. There can be no understanding of the purpose of the flying rocks, or for the existence of the universe itself. Humans will never understand it, not even if humans survive (unlikely) until the earth and solar system is swallowed by our dying sun four or five billion years from now. So, imagine my enjoyment of finding a new piece of SiFi that combines the best of what could exist in our near future, and a tightly wound dark mystery not too dissimilar to what James Ellroy might write if he wanted to place one of his stories on the moon.

I enjoyed detective Justus, as well as the detailed world O'Neill has built. The book was well plotted, action filled, and at times darkly funny. Of course, if you laugh you may feel like a horrible human.To be honest, I rather saw the plot twist coming, but it was a great ride, and this one is a fantastic book for mystery and Sci-Fi fans.Lots of over the top violence and explicit language, as well as descriptions of sexual behavior, so this may not be a good choice for very sensitive or immature readers

An interesting and entertaining book combining several genres. It's a cop mystery, set at some point in the future, and takes place on the moon. While I don't agree with the book blurb "noir" label, it will keep you guessing, right up to the bizarre (and for me not very satisfying) ending. O'Neill does a nice job of fitting the moon's environmental aspects into the story.

So, good story, holds together well as a mystery and as Sci-fi. Corporate capitalism run amok on the far side of the moon.Does it resonate with what's going on now in society?AbsolutelyIs the message overwhelming?Not at all.

Wow, a really interesting book with unusual characters and plot. I got a tremendous feel for the place and time...dark, dangerous, airless. Am not going to bother reiterating the story, never sure why others go into great detail to do that. If you are a hard core science fiction reader and enjoy a bit of horror and mayhem on the side then this book will do it for you.

Imaginative, dark, and funny. The moon is colonized, corporate greed runs amok, technology goes off the rails, and a political dystopia has resulted in a nightmarish cross between the world of Total Recall and Las Vegas during the 50's. Science fiction the way it used to be - a ripping good yarn on its own, but telegraphing important messages about today's society, and the flaws of human nature. Not for the faint of heart!

I don't know quite why I loved this so much. I thought the concept is unique was very well thought-out and reallydifferent. Taking place on the moon but in many ways reminded me of a Western with all its feel ofthe new frontier. The characters were well-crafted and made me get involved emotionally. I strongly recommend this book. I look forward reading other books by O'Neill.

I believe there are parts of this book that really shine, but it never really drew me in enough to feel compelled to read just a few more pages like more enjoyable books have.

great sci fi detective thriller v easy to read