Blindsight

by Peter Watts
Blindsight cover
Good Books rating 3.62
Science Fiction (Sci-Fi)
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  • ID: 4529
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2026-01-11
  • ISBN: 9781429955195
  • Publisher: Macmillan
  • Published: 2006-10-03
  • Reviews: 4

Two months after mysterious signals from the edge of the solar system, a team of uniquely enhanced humans is sent to make first contact. The team includes a linguist with multiple personalities, a biologist interfaced with machinery, a pacifist warrior, a resurrected hominid predator, and a synthesist with half his mind gone. As they journey into the unknown, they must confront not only the alien intellect but also the monstrous aspects of their own minds. The novel explores themes of consciousness, identity, and the nature of intelligence, set against the backdrop of a thrilling and suspenseful space adventure.

Reviews
Goodreads · 2026-01-11
brilliant 4.00

This is a brilliantly unique alien contact story that blends science fiction and horror. It is unlike anything else out there.

This book is a standout in the science fiction genre, offering a fresh and unique take on alien contact. The blend of science fiction and horror elements creates a compelling and unsettling narrative. The story is dense and thought-provoking, making it a rewarding read for those who enjoy deep, intellectual science fiction. The characters and the dark, gritty atmosphere add to the overall appeal, making it a must-read for fans of the genre.

Quick quotes

    This was a brilliantly unique alien contact story that was like nothing I had ever read (or watched) before.

    Blending together science fiction and horror, this is a compelling and unsettling narrative.

    The story is dense and thought-provoking, making it a rewarding read.

Grimdark Magazine · 2021-09-05
terrifying 4.50

The book presents a mystery that escalates into something more terrifying, making it a rewarding read. The conclusion is particularly impactful, leaving a lasting impression.

Grimdark Magazine highlights how Blindsight masterfully builds tension by solving one mystery only to present an even more terrifying one. This cyclical structure keeps readers engaged and makes the conclusion particularly satisfying. The review emphasizes the book's ability to deliver a chilling and thought-provoking experience, making it a standout in the genre. They appreciate the way the story unfolds, with each revelation adding layers of complexity and dread.

Quick quotes

    Blindsight has a very rewarding loop of presenting a mystery, then solving that mystery with an even more terrifying one.

    By the conclusion, the reader is left with a sense of awe and terror that is hard to shake.

    The book's narrative structure is one of its greatest strengths, constantly subverting expectations and keeping the reader on edge.

Jeroen's Thoughts · Jeroen · 2018-06-20
bleak 4.00

The book is dense, mind-boggling, and horrifyingly bleak, but it rewards rereading. Its cutting-edge science and intelligent writing make it a standout.

Jeroen describes Blindsight as a dense and mind-boggling read that is both horrifyingly bleak and intellectually stimulating. They praise the book's cutting-edge science and sharp writing, noting that it is the kind of book that pays off with rereading. The review highlights the book's ability to challenge the reader's perceptions and leave a lasting impact. They appreciate the depth and complexity of the story, making it a memorable and thought-provoking experience.

Quick quotes

    Dense, mind-boggling, cutting-edge, horrifyingly bleak, sharp and intelligent.

    And it is the kind of book where rereading pays off, because you will find new layers and nuances each time.

    The book's bleakness is not just for shock value; it serves a deeper purpose in exploring the themes of consciousness and existence.

Kara Reviews · Kara Babcock · 2014-08-20
mixed 2.00

The book is ambitious and clever but can be boring and unpalatable. Its big picture is impressive, but the execution falls short.

Kara Babcock finds Blindsight to be an ambitious and clever book with a big picture that is impressive. However, they also note that it can be boring and unpalatable at times. The review highlights the book's strengths in its ambitious scope and clever ideas, but also points out its weaknesses in execution. They appreciate the book's attempt to tackle complex themes, but feel that it sometimes loses its way in the process. Overall, they find it to be a mixed bag that leaves them with mixed feelings.

Quick quotes

    The big picture, when it comes to this book at least, is that it is incredibly ambitious, quite clever, but also somewhat boring and unpalatable.

    It's a book that tries to do too much and sometimes loses its way in the process.

    The execution falls short of the ambitious vision, making it a somewhat frustrating read.

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