Rating: 
Summary: Please spare me from SPARES!
Review: SPARES was an inept attempt to explain some alternate cyberzone that has somehow interfaced with our reality. Too unbelievable, even moer so than Barker's Lovecraftian dimensions (even if Clive claims not to be copying H.P. Lovecraft's stuff). Perhaps Smith intended The Gap to be a multidimensional alternative universe (like State College courses) that doubles as those teenage clothing chain stores that go by the same name? And as evidenced by his dreary character, Jack, chasing some animated clothing after entering The Gap... Jack was also a huge problem for me, especially when he was instrumental in getting his wife and daughter killed. Couple that with the fact that ex-Leutenant Jack's a drug addict (a fact which the author uses to cover up for his lack of descriptive powers when describing The Gap), and you get another bad version of THE BAD LEUTENANT, a really rotten flick that had been made a few years back. Still, Smith manges to inject some fairly good humor, and some keen insights into the human condition. Which is the sole reason for raising my initial rating from a 5 to an 8. But then after I found out the end.....I knew then that Smith blew it in terms of writing a good story...that makes this novel another dreary book with another dreary antihero, a dull leftover 60s era thought process that seems to still have some hold in Smith's head, much to our chagrin.
Rating: 
Summary: Future Pulp Rip Snorter
Review: THat's is pretty much what I thought of 'Spares'. One of those books that leave you slightly out of breath.
Rating: 
Summary: What a Snoozer
Review: The only reason I'm giving Spares any credit is for the premise. Unfortunately Smith hardly deals with the Spares, but rather dwells on Randall who is neither engaging nor sympathetic. The spares are just superfluous characters dressing the endless and useless philosophical ramblings and drug sessions of a cop who wasted his life away. The alter universe of "The Gap" could have been cool, but it takes the reader far too long to get there. Not to mention it is so trite to need a drug to enable your mind to comprehend it. Flying malls that house cities is certainly original, but Smith does not do enough to build his future world. If you eliminate most of the drug trips, and life lessons, you are left with a rather hollow story.
Rating:
Summary: Good but not as good as his other two.
Review: The only reason this book doesn't get more stars is because his other two books are so goddamn perfect. The main problem with this book is it seems to be his first novel, "Only Forward", watered done so a film could be made. This doesn't make any difference if you have not read "Only Forward" but if you have it makes you slightly dissapointed about this book. Overall this a rocking rollercoaster of a book that doesn't stop for anything.
Rating: 
Summary: Wierdness comes alive
Review: The simple answer to your question, if you like futuremyth you will have to read this, it cannot be described. MMS has written a puzzling yet satisfying story. The wierd sub text is cats. Don't be confused by anyone trying to review this book as it is impossible. Don't get caught in the trap of trying to compare him to other authors. He has his own method of writing and it would be unfair to other authors to try and live up to this young talent. 'Nuff said!
Rating:
Summary: excellent book. more and more relevant
Review: This book is amazing, really. The hero is sort of an anti-hero. By all normal standards, I should despise him, but he has some hidden inner qualities that far outweigh his vices.
The subject, which centers on cloning, is becoming almost too real for comfort (especially after reading this book!). The reasons for cloning in the book are horrifying, but not at all unrealistic.
Read it. Be disturbed. Watch the news.
Rating: 
Summary: I don't forgive that easily
Review: This book is fast-paced, occasionally brutal, and quite often just plain strange. I enjoyed it thoroughly.It started off as a hard-boiled, hard-sci-fi action novel with some odd characters and unusual scenery. It turned into a remarkably imaginative romp through strange places and stranger plot twists. The exploration of the protagonist's psyche and background was much deeper than similar books in this genre -- the section after he's Gone Away stands out in particular. The only thing that bugged me was the incessant "___ was like ___". Too many things were described in terms of other things; the language pattern started to wear on me. If you don't like strong language and the occasional blood & guts, you don't want to read this. If you don't mind, this is a great read.
Rating:
Summary: Weird, remarkable book
Review: This book is fast-paced, occasionally brutal, and quite often just plain strange. I enjoyed it thoroughly. It started off as a hard-boiled, hard-sci-fi action novel with some odd characters and unusual scenery. It turned into a remarkably imaginative romp through strange places and stranger plot twists. The exploration of the protagonist's psyche and background was much deeper than similar books in this genre -- the section after he's Gone Away stands out in particular. The only thing that bugged me was the incessant "___ was like ___". Too many things were described in terms of other things; the language pattern started to wear on me. If you don't like strong language and the occasional blood & guts, you don't want to read this. If you don't mind, this is a great read.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I've read
Review: This book is well-written, witty and hard-hitting. If you haven't already read this book then I suggest you read it. Michael delves into a deep and disturbing plot which twists around involving you in the mind of one who has witnessed the strange
Rating:
Summary: A dark, strange journey.
Review: This book starts off a little confusing with seperate threads of the story being revealed. However these threads are gradually woven together into a story that is very interesting and quite well presented. It's not for everybody - there's some disturbing scenes but overall they are there for a reason - despite what some reviewers have claimed they aren't "gratuitous scenes of gore". Not everything is spoon-fed to the reader and some things are left a mystery - which is ultimately for the best. The Gap is a pivotal piece of the story but exactly *what* it is isn't revealed; because the characters don't know either. One of the books that's been given a permanent place on my bookshelf. The main character is one of the strongest I've seen in a modern novel - in some ways he's a TV "good guy with bad habits" character, in others he transcends the cookie cutter image and becomes a real person. And Ratchet is the best character ever.
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