Revelation Space is a book by Alastair Reynolds. 2000.
What an impressive first novel! This author has published short stories before, in select magazines.
Has what I like in science fiction: spaceships, aliens, colonized exotic planets, black holes, robots, technology.
The author is a scientist and so his technology is believable and explained (in many cases.) The writing has a smooth flow to it, with good characterization, believable situations, plausible science and politics, and the most important factor of science fiction, a sense of wonder.
Revelation Space is one of those rare stories that you must read and discover for yourself. Things are revealed as you go along, and pieces come together as you read. It's hard to describe the story without giving the discoveries away. What a joy it was, to read a good book and say "Ah ha!" as the mysteries revealed themselves slowly.
Reynold's second book takes place in the same universe and is not exactly a sequel (so they say), it is called "Chasm City" and is available in the UK. It will be available in the US later this year.
What an impressive first novel! This author has published short stories before, in select magazines.
Has what I like in science fiction: spaceships, aliens, colonized exotic planets, black holes, robots, technology.
The author is a scientist and so his technology is believable and explained (in many cases.) The writing has a smooth flow to it, with good characterization, believable situations, plausible science and politics, and the most important factor of science fiction, a sense of wonder.
Revelation Space is one of those rare stories that you must read and discover for yourself. Things are revealed as you go along, and pieces come together as you read. It's hard to describe the story without giving the discoveries away. What a joy it was, to read a good book and say "Ah ha!" as the mysteries revealed themselves slowly.
Reynold's second book takes place in the same universe and is not exactly a sequel (so they say), it is called "Chasm City" and is available in the UK. It will be available in the US later this year.
Considering I have read two of the books up for the Hugo this year ("The Chronoliths" and "American Gods"), it is deeply underrated. Don't get me wrong, "American Gods" is a great book.
