Robson's series combines her trademark themes of identity and reality, magic and technology, breakneck plots, a mischievous sense of fun, and a ser...
read full description
reviews
Aug 02, 2011
Justina Robson is on top form with this Lila Black series. Don't be put off by the genre-crossover 'pitch' of cyber-babe meets elves and fairies and magic and what-not -- it's really good stuff!
The writing is incredibly tight, and the various otherwordly goings-on are so well thought out I'm just jealous!
Going Under, specifically, is 'the faerie one' -- but these are truly timeless creatures rather than twee expressions of mediaeval whimsy, a point made real by their relating to the modern (just More...
The writing is incredibly tight, and the various otherwordly goings-on are so well thought out I'm just jealous!
Going Under, specifically, is 'the faerie one' -- but these are truly timeless creatures rather than twee expressions of mediaeval whimsy, a point made real by their relating to the modern (just More...
Aug 01, 2011
Michael
rated it: 
I only made it to this, the third book in the Quantum Gravity series, on the potential indicated by the preceding two. While the genre clash and multiverse setting were definite pulls, they were almost outweighed by the push of an uneven pace: alternatively dizzyingly breakneck through action sequences and achingly slow in getting to the grist of a series-spanning story arc.
Whether it's through the confidence gained in being well into what must now be a relatively successful (critically if not More...
Whether it's through the confidence gained in being well into what must now be a relatively successful (critically if not More...
Dec 30, 2010
Karissa
rated it:
This is the third book in the Quantum Gravity series by Justin Robson. There are supposed to be at least 5 books in this series. The fourth book "Chasing the Dragon" came out in August of 2009. This was a decent book, I liked it better than "Selling Out" book 2, but there are still some things that are a bit crazy about this book especially towards the end. I listened to this as an audio book and the quality was okay but not the best I have heard.
The book start More...
The book start More...
Jul 17, 2010
Raj
rated it:
The third in the Quantum Gravity series, this one starts nuclear-powered cyborg Lila Black married to an elf and a demon and enjoying a honeymoon in Daemonia. This starts to go sour as more and more demons try to duel Lila for her power and prestige in having married a scion of one of the most powerful families in the land. Although with her AI-assisted reflexes and battle-technology she is easily able to defeat these challengers, the senseless waste of it is getting to her, so it's a relief whe
More...
Jul 01, 2011
Cathy
rated it: 
I'd say that the theme if this one is secrets, those everyone is keeping from each other and those they're keeping from themselves. It starts off somewhat lighter, with Lila just worried about telling Zal and Teazle that she's not happy in Demonia and that she wants to get back to Otopia and get to work. But a dangerous situation quickly spirals out of control, and when someone they love gets hurt, anger and regret leads to more secrets and blame. And Zal has secrets about what he's doing with h
More...
Apr 05, 2009
CD
rated it: 
Honestly, I can't imagine where Robson will take us next. This third installment in the Quantum Gravity series is the best I think. She bring together Teazle and Lila in a totally unique way, explaining Teazle's background and motivation in such a way as to naturally include him in the mix. Zal and Lila continue to play out their game, and still pine for just a few minutes alone to see where the relationship is going. This book has the crew going into Faery and deep into a game played by the
More...
May 19, 2009
Jason
rated it:
(Reprinted from the Chicago Center for Literature and Photography [cclapcenter.com:]. I am the original author of this essay, as well as the owner of CCLaP; it is not being reprinted here illegally.)
So once again, it's time for me to pen a single essay concerning an entire series of genre books; because once again I'm tackling a combination of back-titles and a new title from our good friends at genre publisher Pyr, who earlier this year sent me an entire giant box full of cool-looki More...
So once again, it's time for me to pen a single essay concerning an entire series of genre books; because once again I'm tackling a combination of back-titles and a new title from our good friends at genre publisher Pyr, who earlier this year sent me an entire giant box full of cool-looki More...
Aug 19, 2011
Julia
rated it:
GOING UNDER suffers less than SELLING OUT from the difficulty of separated protagonists. Lila, Teazle and Zal come together and then go spinning off into faery, learning more about themselves in the process. Faery did not have as distinct a flavor for me as Alfheim or Demonia, though everyone's regression to their older forms was interesting.
Where SELLING OUT dragged for me, GOING UNDER has restored the series momentum, itching to get to book four.
Where SELLING OUT dragged for me, GOING UNDER has restored the series momentum, itching to get to book four.
Apr 11, 2011
Samantha
rated it:
Quantum Gravity series is a fun series that blends fantasy, sci-fi and a touch of steam punk. Its unique combination of genres provides something that cannot be found in other series. The main protagonist Lila is an amazingly complex and believable character. The mythology used by the author brings in authenticity as well and plenty of new twists. I am very happy and sad to see the fifth and final book come out last month
Jan 30, 2012
Larry
rated it:
Once again, I had fun reading this book. It struggles with some of the shortfalls of the earlier books in the series, such as a weak plot and and not having a lot of depth in the characters.
However, compared to the first two books, you finally get to see more sides to a few of the characters.
The main strength of this book, and this series in general, is the setting. Her richly imagined and unique take on the world of the Fey is reason enough alone to read this book.
More...
However, compared to the first two books, you finally get to see more sides to a few of the characters.
The main strength of this book, and this series in general, is the setting. Her richly imagined and unique take on the world of the Fey is reason enough alone to read this book.
More...
Aug 03, 2010
Gemma
rated it:
Of the three books before Chasing the Dragon, number 4 in this series and as yet unread, I do prefer number two. Going Under suffers a little from that book's split between worlds, as Lila's time in Faery changes the theme and the nature of her peril quite considerably, making it feel like a miniature story unto itself. This is, of course, quite fitting for the series, but I have to fight my personal tastes in order to absorb that.
Just like the books before it, Going Under offers a s More...
Just like the books before it, Going Under offers a s More...
Jul 28, 2011
This has been a very entertaining series so far. I eagerly await the next volume. If you like fantasy... vampires, demons, faeries, and the lot... you'll probably like this series. The writing is very good and the author makes you care about the characters. I was sad to have it end.
Oct 03, 2009
The third book in the 'Quantum Gravity' series; whilst I enjoyed the other two, this one I loved, mainly because of the author's brilliant depiction of faery as a truly twisted and alien place than nonetheless operates by its own warped rules.
Dec 26, 2008
Mike
rated it:
This third in the trilogy (? don't know if any more are coming) kind of petered out there. As if the author had an obligation to write this one more than a desire to get the story out of her head. But still a good read.
Aug 12, 2011
Loved the treatment of Faerie & the fey. The ending... well, read it for yourself. Definitely left me eager for the next one.
Dec 08, 2008
Heidi
rated it:
Nearly finished with this one and I can hardly put it down. Justina Robson continues with Lila's adventures.
Nov 28, 2011
Louise
rated it: 
Perhaps I made a mistake starting in at number 3?
Skimmed through it and didn't get it.
Skimmed through it and didn't get it.
Oct 14, 2008
Micheline
rated it:
I really wish there was a 3 1/2 star rating, but there's not, and nobody reads these anyway, so I probably shouldn't fixate on it. Her previous two quantum gravity books involved the complicated and often sexual relationships between elves, fairies, cyborgs and demons having adventures throughout multiple universes. They were weird and completely groovy. Justina definitely took it one step weirder in this book, and a really enjoyed it, and it satisfied my secret fantasy of being a super-hot h
More...
Jun 29, 2011
Traci
rated it:
this is a great series so far.
it brings together multiple dimensions that are open for anyone to travel(demons, fairies, elves, elementals, ghosts, and others), and the world as we know it now is completely changed. the main character was tortured and magic-scarred by elves, rebuilt by humans into a half-robot, part-AI, nuclear-fueled walking arsenal, not to mention that she has the "spirit" of a dead elfin necromancer "living" in her chest. if you like science-fiction More...
it brings together multiple dimensions that are open for anyone to travel(demons, fairies, elves, elementals, ghosts, and others), and the world as we know it now is completely changed. the main character was tortured and magic-scarred by elves, rebuilt by humans into a half-robot, part-AI, nuclear-fueled walking arsenal, not to mention that she has the "spirit" of a dead elfin necromancer "living" in her chest. if you like science-fiction More...
Dec 08, 2008
Kevin
rated it:
Fun to read, not too much brain power involved. Techno-fantastical, think Drizzt + robots.
May 04, 2009
Tanya
rated it:
I'm a little over halfway through this book and enjoying it more and more. The beginning was a bit heavy on explanations, but it has really picked up. The back cover labels it as "Science Fiction & Fantasy" and it's correct. It truly is a mixture of both, with Lila's AI and partially mechanical body and the involvement of elves, demons, faeries, etc. Ms. Robson has an amazing imagination and I highly recommend all three of the Quantum Gravity books.
Dec 19, 2011
Randall
rated it: 
Truthfully I am read this just to finish the series, come to find out there is another.
Dec 19, 2011
Robert
rated it:
This was good. I read the fifth book in the series this fall. tied it up pretty well. I didn't want to say goodbye to the characters. it's good that I have all five books to re-read.
May 10, 2009
Jason
rated it:
I agree with those people who say that they wish that there was a 3 1/2 star rating. Robson keeps up with a good story with plenty of originality, and I look forward to what's coming next.
Jan 14, 2011
WillowBe
rated it:
I love these books so much, I can't even say how mch.These are books that I can read again, and again and get more out of them. And gods, I love Zal!!
Nov 08, 2010
Sharon
rated it:
A superb installment in a brilliant series. Amazing world building, can't fault this at all. Must get the next one, quick!
