Space hard. (Revelation Space - Alastair Reynolds)

Member Name: bookguy

Product:	Revelation Space - Alastair Reynolds
Date:	13/10/08 (76 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great scope, good science and grand ideas.

Disadvantages: The dialogue sucks. Seriously.

This book, the first in an ongoing series, is for my money the best of the 'reconstructed' space operas I've read. It has all of the trappings of classic SF: galactic empires, ancient artifacts, planet-killing weapons and cyborgs - to name just a few - but Reynolds manages to inject new life into what could just be tired old cliches in another writer's hands.

The book has two main plotlines. In one, a space archeaologist (Sylveste) is looking for ways to penetrate the defenses around a mysterious space-borne artifact, while at the same time trying to survive a coup brought about by rogue members of his own exploration group. The other plot strand concerns a cybernetically enhanced assassin who is pressganged into service on a cyborg ship. The captain of the ship has been badly injured by a cybernetic plague, and the crew believe Sylveste (the archaeologist) has the means to save him, and set about kidnapping him. Little do they know that their new crew member has a hidden agenda, and her own plans for Sylveste.

The book is punchily written, with short chapters switching between the two plot lines until they converge towards the end.

The political intrigue surrounding Sylveste is a little contrived and a bit tedious, and sometimes the dialogue between the cyborgs is a little unconvincing (to me they sound exactly like middle class middle managers talking tough - I kept expecting one to say "I work hard, but I play hard!") These are niggles, however, and the whole package delivers a powerful space punch. Recommended.

Summary: The best example of the new "Hard SF" I've read so far.