The Ringworld Throne Mass Market Paperback – May 1, 1997

I almost skipped this book because the bad reviews. For example, people said it didn't have the main characters in it, was too confusing, etc.There are reasons to not like the book (like alien sex, long character names) but it fits into the Ringworld series and is worth reading before #4.It does have some of the main characters from the previous two books, they just don't come into play until around 40% of the way in.I didn't find it confusing in terms of story lines, there are only a couple at any given time, but I did have to re-read some action scenes a few times as the writing wasn't very clear IMO. But if you want to finish the ringworld series, I would read it.I really struggle to give it four stars, but I did enjoy it, for all its flaws. The ending felt rushed.

Fast shipping and well packaged. Book as described, at a reasonable price.

I am writing this as as a counter balance to the negative reviews here.There is no doubt Larry Niven's writing style is an acquired taste. It is often (every other page or so) difficult, if not impossible, to tell who is actually talking, what precisely they are talking about, and the significance of what they say. It feels almost like each page needs to be about 1/2 a page longer to make room for the missing exposition that would make it all make sense.That's not going to happen. If you are willing to let go of needing a detailed, specific linear narrative, let go of needing to know who is talking, and even which character is which, and simply accept that Niven writes in what I call "bursts of brilliance" strung together, you will see what it's like to be Louis Wu-- because you'll be thinking like him. Things happen, people die, sex (rishathra) is handled as a commodity and a way for different "tribes" to negotiate & trade with each other... all linked with and by Niven's bright mind, skipping along a gigantic idea (Ringworld), like a skipping stone or a stepping disk; contained in an even larger, more thrilling and mysterious gigantic idea (the universe). Acquired taste, yes.. and for those who acquire it, rewards galore.

The third (and final, thank god) installation in the Ringworld series falls so far short of its predecessors that it leaves an unfortunate stain on the entire trilogy, which up to book 3 has been remarkable in the world of science fiction. Ringworld Throne left me so confused and angry that I'm not quite sure what to warn potential readers to expect, but here are a few that topped my list:- The plot makes no sense at all. The entire thing is so disjointed, badly pieced together, and overall just poorly written it makes you wonder if Niven even put any effort into the book, or was just looking for some easy money. The first half is horrendous, focusing on a group of Ringworlders fighting some vampire infestation. Every character is completely flat and lifeless, and the vampire hunting episode does not fit at all into the overall plot of the book, despite the fact it fills half the pages. I skimmed through so many of the pages its ridiculous. Awful, awful, awful.- There is absolutely no reason to give characters such absurd names. All it does to make up 13 syllable names is piss the reader off. Just stop it.- Rishanthra is fricken stupid. Why so much focus on it? How does sex between species allow trade and communication between them? It just makes no sense, and it's really lost its novelty by this point. It comes up so often it makes Niven look like a sex-crazed teenage nerd who really doesn't know anything about sex at all.- The "ending", if you can call it that, resolves nothing, and frankly doesn't make any sense. I know this goes back to my problem with the overall plot, but really: the ending is terrible. What happens to Louis? The ARM ships? Hindmost? Does anyone really care at this point?- Action scenes are so terrible it makes the plot look sensible. Anytime something major happens (e.g. battle scene) I find myself rereading the paragraph 3 times and still having no idea what the hell is going on. Niven's writing is so hacky in some areas it makes me furious.Well, I think you get the idea. I highly reccommend against this book, it was such a waste of time. Even if you loved Ringworld Engineers, I can almost guarentee you will hate this one.

Once you get a handle on the multisyllabic names that abound, you'll find a classic Niven novel, well written and fast-paced. A satisfactory addition to the Ringworld series and the Known Space line of books.

I received the book on time and well packaged, however the pages are yellowed like it had been for around for a while. It is quite readable but when compared to the other books I have recently purchased through Amazon it looks significatively aged. The book itself is not worn in any way so it is new. The book itself is very interesting and a bit different from the norm requiring thought, which to me is a plus. The twists and turns requires mental agility. I like it.

I like everything Niven writes. Don't think so much people. Jeez. It's a book. Enjoy it. If you cannot let go of yourself then many things in life will be ruled by your ego-identity.Just enjoy life. If you love Niven this book is great. I just went with it. Funny that I read some negative reviews just now and was shocked. I thought his point was you need to do like the Romans do but he made it clear it's not for everyone. If you read the whole book then comment.A person that cannot finish the book has no right to review it in my opinion.

Though the size of the Ringworld can’t be escaped on this artifact, this story delves more into the varies species and their history! Even the history of the Protectors is explored!

Being an avid Larry Niven fan who count's the two preceding Ringworld books ('Ringworld' and 'Ringworld Engineers')as 2 of my favourire SF books.I was looking forward to reading 'Ringworld Throne' but what a disaster....two virtually seperate plots that may as well have been two seperate books.......the first half devoted to a conflict between Ringworld inhabitants was not exactly page turning stuff...the second half although marginally better had me skipping pages and speed reading to get to the end of the book which turned out to be confusing and just plain dull............ Read this instead  ProtectorProtector

Such a good story. I so enjoyed reading it that as soon as I finished it I sat down read it again.

Liked it all, a good read.

This is a good book with some funny points, and interesting points. As always though there is alot of sex between alien basically daily, and the author has a habbit of not explaining things clearly enough, or getting too caught up in "anti spinward and spinward" and such that you are left wondering what is going on and cant really imagine it, but i just shrug and go with the flow if i cant get enough info. Also the protectors start to be confusing, but its still interesting.

the first 100 pages are awful, but the second half is good. this third entry into the Ringworld universe is a low point, but again after page 101 or so it picks up momentum. How many times do we have to be subjected to a new alien race and their weird orgies?? I count about 50 or so in the first 100 pages.