Title: Bad science and shallow characters
Product review: Walt Becker started with an interesting idea (aliens produced Homo Sapiens from Neanderthals 40,000 years ago) and some interesting characters (three paleoanthropologists and an arms dealer) and proceeded to push both of them too far. The premise becomes unbelievable (bipedal aliens that looked very much like humans who were able to breed with Neanderthals given a little help) and the characters never get beyond two-dimensional. It seemed like Mr. Becker had simply bit off more than he could chew, trying to explain dozens of unexplained mysteries while putting his characters through as many adventures as possible. It became very difficult to suspend disbelief (both at the underlying premise and the choices of the characters), a probablem that was compounded by the book's factual errors and inconsistencies.
Would you say this review depicts the product in a flattering or unflattering light?
