We've got your back. With the Tough-O-Meter, you'll know whether to bring extra layers or Swiss army knives as you summit the literary mountain. (10 = Toughest)
(4) Base Camp
We're certainly entertained while reading The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm. There are exciting scenes with interesting characters, plus you can almost never go wrong with robots. But the story can get a little complicated to wrap our minds around at times. First off, there's the different time period (2194) and culture (Zimbabwe, Resthaven). Yes, a lot is explained about each of these, but we're still left scratching our heads from time to time about what a ndoro is or who a spirit god might be.
All of this just means that Farmer keeps you on your toes. If you're already a fan of sci-fi or futuristic teen novels, you'll probably get into it quickly. And if you aren't, this just might convert you.