House of Suns
by Alastair Reynolds
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Book Summary Information
Author: Alastair ReynoldsEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-12-20
ISBN: 0575082372
Number of pages: 512
Publisher: Gollancz
Book Reviews of House of Suns
Book Review: Good, but lacks the thrilling noir and hard science of his past books
Summary: 4 Stars
I have read every Alastair Reyonlds book. He captured me with the original Revelation Space, and I have been hoping (for his sake as much as mine!) that he comes around with another winner on that level. While House of Suns is a much better book than his last few, is it also quite different from his usual style.
First the good...we have a far-reaching, mind-bending story that spans millions of years and crosses more than one galaxy. It is a definite page turner and a great mystery. The post-human characterizations are very well done and combine to give you that sense of ultimate time. The interweaved story of Palatial is an interesting twist, very un-Reynolds like, but holds your interest to the (near) end. The ending is actually quite good although stops VERY abruptly, as in you can't believe the last sentence is really the last sentence. Perhaps he is leaving us hanging for a sequel?
Now the bad...it is definitely missing some of the thrilling noir that he is known for. It is actually quite an optimistic novel, with relatively benign characters, not like what I expect from Reynolds. The love story, frankly, was not all that convincing and it is supposed to be a huge part of the novel, so really does not satisfy on that level. Also, the interweaved story of Palatial is ultimately pointless. I really expected some kind of epiphany after reading all that. I am still wondering why it takes such an important role in the book. I mean there are tidbits that I thought I was going to connect, but ultimately it made no sense to the bigger picture (if it made sense to others, please comment and tell me why you think so!). I also thought it was very strange how he alternated between a different point of view each chapter. It was very distracting. Finally, this book is a lot more fantasy than pure hard science fiction. I just wish it was more "believeable". I guess the fact that it takes place millions of years in the future allows him to bypass that aspect (with the one big exception being his faster-than-light limitation).
Still, I give it 4 stars. A worthy read. I would not spend the money to buy a hardcover, though. Buy it in paperback or rent it from the library.
Summary of House of Suns
Six million years ago, at the very dawn of the starfaring era, Abigail Gentian fractured herself into a thousand male and female clones: the shatterlings. Sent out into the galaxy, these shatterlings have stood aloof as they document the rise and fall of countless human empires. They meet every two hundred thousand years, to exchange news and memories of their travels with their siblings. Campion and Purslane are not only late for their thirty-second reunion, but they have brought along an amnesiac golden robot for a guest. But the wayward shatterlings get more than the scolding they expect: they face the discovery that someone has a very serious grudge against the Gentian line, and there is a very real possibility of traitors in their midst. The surviving shatterlings have to dodge exotic weapons while they regroup to try to solve the mystery of who is persecuting them, and why - before their ancient line is wiped out of existence, for ever.Literature & Fiction Books
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