Helliconia Winter

This novel includes some truly asinine material.  There are also discussions between characters consisting of rather mindless drivel that occur in other places (i.e. not on Helliconia itself).  Since the first two novels are so good, one might be persuaded to rate this novel higher than it truly deserves.

My rating system:

Since Goodreads only allows 1 to 5 stars (no half-stars), you have no option but to be ruthless.  I reserve one star for a book that is a BOMB - or poor (equivalent to a letter grade of F, E, or at most D).  Progressing upwards, 2 stars is equivalent to C (C -, C or C+), 3 stars (equals B - or B), 4 stars (equals B+ or A -), and 5 stars (equals A or A+).  As a result, I maximize my rating space for good books, and don't waste half or more of that rating space on books that are of marginal quality.

I consider 2 1/2 stars fairly generous for this novel - it might just easily be rated 2 stars.