I really enjoyed the further exploration of the Ringworld and its civilizations, and the hyper-engineering problem posed by the Ringworld's instability. I liked the use of technology and the back story of Known Space. The depiction of the protagonist weaning himself from current addiction was neat. I felt the relationships between the protagonist and various alien females was pretty shallow, especially compared to the better developed interaction with his Kzin and puppeteer semi-allies. The ending was a neat resolution of the engineering problem but I felt there wasn't enough of an emotional payoff. ( )

Just astounding. ( )

On rereading this after many years, I'm less impressed than I was the first time around.

It's very dependent on you having read at least the previous novel (Ringworld) if not more set in this universe.
It's still a premier example of the big mysterious object genre of scifi, but you never get answers or explanations of anything that isn't required for the plot as far as I can see.
The plot instead of the main character repeatedly figuring something out on a thin thread of dubious logic the rest of the characters don't, and the reader probably can't follow, then him using it to get his own way.
The climax involves elements from the previous novel that frankly didn't need to be there?
The backdrop is awesome, but the novel hung on it is only so so.
But by all means, give it a read and see if you agree. If you liked Ringworld, then this will probably be one you like too, just not as much. ( )

Once again, we're treated to more Seventies kitsch sci-fi with bizarre humanoids added to the mix of bizarre non-humanoids: there's even vampires in this one.

On top of the bizarre creatures we are now treated to a never ending list of utterly unpronounceable names, obviously to make sure that you understand that this is real sci-fi, not some lame sci-fi with easy names that humans can pronounce.   To be honest Larry finds all kinds of ways to ruin a really good story and concept, and if it wasn't for the fact that this is such a good story with such a good concept i would have stopped reading long ago.

But instead of stopping i'm going to carry on with the next book, The Ringworld Throne, just because it is such a good story, and i'm already bracing myself for even more jibbledy babbledy names and even more fucked up Seventies kitsch sci-fi creatures.

Ho hum, the trials and tribulations of the sci-fi reader.   To be honest, i'll be glad when this Ringworld series thing is over and i won't ever be reading Larry Niven ever again. ( )

It had been awhile since I last read this so it was a pleasant read. Story is about what one would expect with a Niven novel and wraps up some lose ends and questions from the first book.
( )