honey and sting

My biggest beef was that some of the Karellen's actions seemed to imply mind powers. How else would the Overlords know what was in Ricky's memories or heart? Or be able to create what seemed like a semi-independent avatar of Anabelle? And that one of the biggest points of the book was that Karellen's race has no telepathy, no psychic powers, just pure mental processing power, and that that is their great tragedy and why they can never be one with the Overmind.

Also, who actually works Ricky's farm? And how did he afford THREE DAYS in the honeymoon suite of a MAJOR New York hotel?

I also missed the book's depictions of the children as making vast moving patterns for a long period of time as they became more and more alien from their parents. And the fascination of Karellen's people with studying them, trying to find clues as to the nature of the thing that is always and forever beyond them.

I DID like the backstories and characterizations of many of the characters, especially Milo, which is completely new to the story. Clark was not at his best at depth of character.

I kind of adored the second "Overlord" -- Vin.. something? Dorky alien for the win! And Karellen's withering look when he starts rambling on Shakespeare at the worst possible moment.

I'd love to know what others thought of the ultimately metaphysical point of the story -- the evolution to One Mind. I liked that they kept this a rather stark and drastic process from the point of view of the humans left behind. I loved the wistful longing of Karellen's people for what they can never understand (I think the book was stronger in depicting this aspect, as well as the irony of the dead end of his people's epic superiority in all things intellectual, leading nowhere new, ever).

So, thoughts? :)