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57th out of 143 books
—
518 voters
A Fire in the Sun (Marîd Audran #2)
Marid Audran has become everything he once despised. Not so long ago, he was a hustler in the Budayeen, an Arabian ghetto in a Balkanized future Earth. Back then, as often as not, he didn't have the money to buy himself a drink. But he had his independence.
Now Marid works for Friedlander Bey, "godfather" of the Budayeen, a man whose power stretches across a shattered, crum...more
Now Marid works for Friedlander Bey, "godfather" of the Budayeen, a man whose power stretches across a shattered, crum...more
Paperback, 304 pages
Published
February 21st 2006
by Orb Books
(first published 1989)
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The principle problem with this entry in the series, is that for large sections Marîd reads like he's had his balls cut off. While this may make sense in terms of plot, it also greatly diminishes the reading experience found in the first book.
Now that the protagonist that I liked in the first instalment is a shadow of his former self. His shoulders are unable to support some of the failings in the narrative that at times insult rationality. This isn't the same a plot reveal displaying a few lar...more
Now that the protagonist that I liked in the first instalment is a shadow of his former self. His shoulders are unable to support some of the failings in the narrative that at times insult rationality. This isn't the same a plot reveal displaying a few lar...more
Now that Marid is set up as the single character with never-before-done brain modifications, are these ever used to any particular purpose? Not really. He chips these "moddies" and "daddies" much as everyone else in the story does, with their run-of-the-mill modifications. So what's the point of having him set up--in the first book--as THE GUY who refused to modify his brain because he feared losing his original personality?
The plot meandered here and there. There was some assassin or other kill...more
The plot meandered here and there. There was some assassin or other kill...more
A continuation of the story of Marid, which still takes place in the unique world of the Budayeen. Again the author has woven a unique backdrop of muslim religion, science fiction morality and heavy drug abuse which is quite a departure from my usual reads.
The plot is still entertaining, although I find myself distancing myself from the main protagonist. I can see where the story is heading and I do not believe I will continue with the series. The author relies more heavily on deus ex machina to...more
The plot is still entertaining, although I find myself distancing myself from the main protagonist. I can see where the story is heading and I do not believe I will continue with the series. The author relies more heavily on deus ex machina to...more
Feb 25, 2010
Jen
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
science fiction and mystery fans
Shelves:
fiction,
science-fiction
I love the creative mind of George Effinger. In this sequel to When Gravity Fails, main character Marid Audran struggles in the wake of being local godfather Friedlander Bay's lap dog and all-around chore boy. He has more money than he ever thought possible but feels bitter about having sold out. Unfortunately, another killer lurks in the Budayeen, Audran's beloved Red Light district, leaving him little time to stew.
Creating a crazy gumbo of noir, cyberpunk and Islam, Effinger created an unforge...more
Creating a crazy gumbo of noir, cyberpunk and Islam, Effinger created an unforge...more
I gave this series such a high ranking first because at this time no one had even considered writing anything remotely like this... (or if they had, you couldn't tell). Only in recent years have I found a series that touches on the theme of Islam surviving into the future and... title escapes me this moment, think biotech, insects, gene-manipulation... Infidel, and God's War... that's it, by: Kameron Hurley. Okay, I admit, I cheated and looted it up. Nevertheless, also a good series, but Effing...more
4.0 stars. Very good sequel to When Gravity Fails and Book 2 of the "Budayeen Nights" novels that take place in a near future world of the Middle East (think Blade Runner in Saudi Arabia). The book is a "noir" style SF detective fiction starring Marîd Audran, a once small time hustler that is now working for the most influential man in the city of major crime boss of city.
The most interesting SF element/concept of the novels is the use by most of the population (at least those who can afford it)...more
The most interesting SF element/concept of the novels is the use by most of the population (at least those who can afford it)...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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This is a sequel to When Gravity Fails, which is a long-time favorite. The style is cyberpunk / noir / hard-boiled. The setting is a future Middle-East city (although actually it's based on the New Orleans French Quarter). The first-person protagonist is a street punk who's been picked out (for reasons unknown to him) by one of the local bosses for advancement.
I like the book because of the Middle-Eastern cultural setting; I haven't come across a lot of SF&F done in such a setting. The way...more
I like the book because of the Middle-Eastern cultural setting; I haven't come across a lot of SF&F done in such a setting. The way...more
In some ways I thought the plot was a bit weaker than in the first book, for example there was an incredibly convenient incident where Marîd ended up in an alley with the moddy of the big bad guy that gave him tons of information that he needed and tons of leverage. But in other ways it was very satisfying, I still just love the atmosphere and the characters. Marîd is still struggling with the tension of being more and more isolated and yet longing for connections with the people he cares about,...more
The best cyberpunk that nobody knows. The drug and sex crazy Middle Eastern setting of the Buyadeen sets this apart from the usual chrome and black leather crowd, while the tech level is accurately 'like today, but a little bit different.' Book 2 of the Marid Audran trilogy follows our now neuro-enhanced protagonist as responsibility is forced on him, as well as a deadly secret about his employer and the system of governance he controls.
Enjoyable, and worth reading, but there's a problem. The plot structure follows that of the first book almost exactly. The first half is spent wandering around with no real direction, then all at once we (and Audran) figure out what the point is supposed to be, and then we watch Audran stumble towards resolution. With an extended hospital visit along the way. And while this was ok in first book because the reader can enjoy learning about the world, here it just seems much more boring and pointle...more
Luego de más de 15 años pude leer la continuación de "cuando falla la gravedad". Aún tengo en la cabeza los personajes y la atmosfera que Effinger creo.
Personajes bien detallados, una trama interesante, un mundo cyberpunk que, sin ser novedoso, es fresco e interesante. Bien escrito, situaciones intensas y pequeñas sorpresas. Una buena continuación, si has leido el primer libro, vale la pena leer este.
Personajes bien detallados, una trama interesante, un mundo cyberpunk que, sin ser novedoso, es fresco e interesante. Bien escrito, situaciones intensas y pequeñas sorpresas. Una buena continuación, si has leido el primer libro, vale la pena leer este.
The next book in the Marîd Audran is a bit different from the first. Marîd is no longer anyone's favourite person. He's treated like scum by all his old friends for the horrific incident at the end of the last book as well as he's now Friedlander Bey's lieutenant.
Not so much a detective book this time Audran is now Papa's official liaison with the police force helping them when suitable. He's also dealing with his past when he finds his mother for the first time since his youth. And coming up ag...more
Not so much a detective book this time Audran is now Papa's official liaison with the police force helping them when suitable. He's also dealing with his past when he finds his mother for the first time since his youth. And coming up ag...more
Second in the trilogy. Character still a punk but is now a lackey as well. Still, the story grabs your interest and moves along. Th dialogues are still tedious and narfation over dramatic. Hoping the main character reaches enlightenment in the next one...
Effinger may not have been the easiest person to live with, but his Marid trilogy is still an easy -- and fun -- read, even decades later. Imagine Raymond Chandler, only writing from late 22nd-century North Africa. Then plug in and enjoy the ride!
Great noir/cyberpunk set in a near-future Arab world. Takes off running a few months after the end of When Gravity Fails. That book had a lot of setup to explain--this one doesn't--so much more action in this one. Though some cool metaphysical stuff too.
I read this a long time ago, but it and its companion When Gravity Fails feel to me to be a couple of books that helped to define cyber-punk.
Finally got my hands on this, after about 20 years.
Good, but not as good as the 1st book of the trilogy
Good, but not as good as the 1st book of the trilogy
I think I may like this sequel just as much or even more than the original!
Meh. I finished the novel, it wasn't terrible. But: Consistently cookie-cutter secondary characters and flimsy wider world building (the local scenery is interesting enough but the world's development is exaggeratedly unbelievable). The plot meandered about for the first quarter of the book and didn't get much better later.
Interesting combination of crime story, science fiction and Islam!
Jun 20, 2009
Oriana
added it
A Fire in the Sun by George Alec Effinger (2006)
Book 2 following up on "When Gravity Fails"
The sequel to When Gravity Fails.
Cyberpunk w/ a middle-eastern bent
As good as the first one.
Awesome.
I don't have other words.
I don't have other words.
What a great, important trilogy. Science Fiction as it should be, Nitty and Gritty.
I really enjoyed the first book in this series but after two attempts I may give up at trying to get through this second book. Sigh.
A great sequel to When Gravity Fails. Love the atmosphere, the character development, the Cyberpunk themes, and the evolving story line.
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