Startide Rising

My main complaint about this book is that it's an ordeal from start to finish. The human and dolphin characters are stuck on a toxic planet that's killing them slowly, while alien spacefleets fight each other nearby for the opportunity to capture and probably kill them. They also have to contend with discord and treachery amongst themselves. It's a deeply unpleasant situation to be in, and continues through the whole rather long novel, relieved only by a mostly happy though rather improbable ending.

I found at least the first half of the story rather tough to get through, and put-downable: two-star material. Later on, the story becomes exciting and gripping, so I've generously given it three stars. But I reckon to reread three-star books now and then; I've reread this one in the past, but will I ever read it again in future? I'm not sure.

Brin's universe fails to convince me: I don't believe in all these diverse alien species remaining permanently obsessed with uplift over vast spans of time. I don't believe in the Discworld, either, but the Discworld is openly fantastic; I expect science fiction to be more plausible.