book data
109 ratings, 3.83 average rating, 14 reviews
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published
2007
by Ace Hardcover
binding
Hardcover, 336 pages
isbn
0441015131
(isbn13: 9780441015139)
description
Set in the Revelation Space universe-the first short story collection by "one of SF's best and most ambitious novelists." (SFX)
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 177)
Much better than the Dr. Freud-wouldn't-touch-this-with-a-10-foot-pole cover might lead you to believe--but then again, it would almost have to be, wouldn't it? Sometimes a spaceship flying into an asteroid is just a spaceship flying into an asteroid.
Anyway, Reynolds apparently works in a style called "hard sci-fi." (Stop it, please, just stop it. Seriously!). That basically means that, because he has a Ph.D. in astronomy, he feels obligated to eschew phasers and light sabers and w...more
Anyway, Reynolds apparently works in a style called "hard sci-fi." (Stop it, please, just stop it. Seriously!). That basically means that, because he has a Ph.D. in astronomy, he feels obligated to eschew phasers and light sabers and w...more
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Read in November, 2008
Unlike a lot of short story collections, this one has each story set in the same universe (of the 'Revelation Space' series). Also, many of the stories flesh out some of the backgrounds of characters in the later books, which made for a good read.
It makes me want to read more stories that fill in the gaps of the various characters in the books. The past always seemed so muddy for many of the characters (if not for whole societies), so it was nice to see those past times and events first-hand...more
It makes me want to read more stories that fill in the gaps of the various characters in the books. The past always seemed so muddy for many of the characters (if not for whole societies), so it was nice to see those past times and events first-hand...more
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Read in September, 2008
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
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I have yet to touch this author's Revelation Space, which they say is his best work. But if it is anything like this collection of short stories (novellas, really), I should be reading it soon. I found his style and skill much better than those of Peter Hamilton and Kevin J. Anderson, the other two authors who are supposedly good in the Space Opera genre. He is less clumsy with his proses, and definitely more graceful with expositions that are usually the bane of sci-fi writers.
On their own th...more
On their own th...more
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IF read in order they are roughly chronological. I think that it helps to have read his other books but it is not a total necessity.
Do not let the label HARD SCIFI put you off - Yes there is science in there and Mr Reynolds is a hot shot scientist by training so if you know one theorem from the next you can follow the science but it is not necessary to enjoy his work.
It is a book of contrasts - I will not give anything away to say that Weather is a wonderful story and the ending is amaz...more
Do not let the label HARD SCIFI put you off - Yes there is science in there and Mr Reynolds is a hot shot scientist by training so if you know one theorem from the next you can follow the science but it is not necessary to enjoy his work.
It is a book of contrasts - I will not give anything away to say that Weather is a wonderful story and the ending is amaz...more
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Read in October, 2008
recommends it for:
any fan of science fiction.
If you like Alastair Reynolds, you'll greatly enjoy this collection of his shorter science fiction. Even though he is better at longer works, this collection of stories set in his Revelation Space universe are very good. The stories are in approximate chronological order, and so takes you from the origins of the Demarchists, Ultras, and Conjoiners to events after the Melding Plague.
All in all, really good stuff, especially if you are a fan.
All in all, really good stuff, especially if you are a fan.
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Read in August, 2008
If you like the Revelation Space universe, this is a must read. This collection of short stories span a number of years of Reynolds's work, so it's interesting to see the evolution of the ideas in that space. Reynolds didn't update the stories for consistency with each other or with the novels ( Revelation Space, Chasm City, etc), so it's sort of like reading the History of Middle Earth books.
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Reading way above my working knowledge of science again, but I was still able to enjoy Reynolds' collection of short stories and novellas. Some of them had fairly horrific endings, warning in the traditional scifi way about the dangers of bio experimentation, technology, and artificial intelligence. Others were more poignant.
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Read in June, 2008
A collection of 8 stories from Reynolds' Conjoiner-Demarchist universe that he'd written over time. A mixed bag in my opinion. Some, like "Weather", are just terrific. Some, like the title track, "Galactic North", are weak and come across more like an outline for a future series than a tightly constructed short story.
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Read in January, 2008
I generally stay away from short story collections, but since I've read everything else in the revelation space universe, I decided to read this too.
Some of the stories were good....some I just wanted to get done. His science is always plausible, and his language ranges from ok to elegant, so I generally enjoyed it.
Some of the stories were good....some I just wanted to get done. His science is always plausible, and his language ranges from ok to elegant, so I generally enjoyed it.
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Read in September, 2008
These short stories vary in complexity and sophistication. Some of them are rather pulpy, but overall it was entertaining.
I feel that Reynolds is more suited to full-sized novels.
I feel that Reynolds is more suited to full-sized novels.
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in August, 2008
recommends it for:
People who like the "Revelation Space" universe and want more detail.
Collection of stories in Reynold's "Revelation Space" universe. Revealed some interesting aspects of the universe such as what's inside a Conjoiner drive.
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Read in January, 2008
I don't generally like short stories, but I enjoyed these. Particularly the ones about Clavain.
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