book data
92 ratings, 4.02 average rating, 15 reviews
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published
2007
by Gollancz
binding
Hardcover, 512 pages
isbn
0575077166
(isbn13: 9780575077164)
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 147)
A delightful romp through politics and giddy inventions of the bizarre future society of the demarchists (democratic anarchism a post-scarcity system based on implants making constant polls) that reminds me of Sterling’s Schismatrix and Swanwick’s Vacuum Flowers. Reynold’s most on surface optimistic work is undercut by a creeping sadness that might in the end make this his most chilling and disturbing. Possible because it’s set in threatened utopia rather than his usual desolate setting...more
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2 comments
Read in November, 2008
There are a lot of things in this book that struck a false chord for me, and I think the Revelation Space setting is getting stale. But there is plenty that is exciting and interesting besides.
The voted weighting scheme didn't make sense- what decides whether a vote was correct or not- another vote? I had the most difficulty with the 'polling core' architecture of all the habitats in the Glitter Band, which is very prominent in the story. Most everything else can be attributed to dramatic...more
The voted weighting scheme didn't make sense- what decides whether a vote was correct or not- another vote? I had the most difficulty with the 'polling core' architecture of all the habitats in the Glitter Band, which is very prominent in the story. Most everything else can be attributed to dramatic...more
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Read in June, 2008
I'd been avoiding Alastair Reynolds since having read Revelation Space and having been distinctly unimpressed. But after seeing a number of glowing reviews, I thought I'd give him another shot.
And The Prefect is... better. The story is relatively tight and well-plotted. As with Revelation Space, the main plot ends in an abrupt and literal deus ex machina, but the side plots are more satisfying. The climax of the story is well-told and kept me up late. The setting is...more
And The Prefect is... better. The story is relatively tight and well-plotted. As with Revelation Space, the main plot ends in an abrupt and literal deus ex machina, but the side plots are more satisfying. The climax of the story is well-told and kept me up late. The setting is...more
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Read in October, 2008
Alastair reynolds has become a highly competent writer of science fiction entertainments, able to balance his penchant for grotesquery and Gothicism with characters it is possible to like. In my view he has been more successful when limiting the scope of any given novel to one aspect of his larger imagined universe, allowing him to concentrate his powers of description, generating a strong flavour of the culture the action develops in. The Prefect does just that.
This particular novel is a de...more
This particular novel is a de...more
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Read in July, 2008
This book brings the epic scope of the Revelation Space universe down to a sharper focus. The plot, while intricate, is far less complicated than the trilogy or that of Chasm City; the narrative is more straightforward and easier to follow. Best of all, these simplifications don't sacrifice the brilliant and imaginative components that make Alastair Reynolds so distinct. It's a great entry point to the Revelation Space novels (though I still recommend the short stories and novellas first), groun...more
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Read in July, 2008
Ooh, space opera! I love space opera.
This book sort of picks up where Revelation Space left off, but not really, which is good because I read that a while ago and didn't remember much about it.
Excellent plotting, excellent characters, and a fantastic villain.
I read this 400-page book in the space of about 30 hours. This is what happens when it rains the *entire* four days of one's July 4 weekend.
This book sort of picks up where Revelation Space left off, but not really, which is good because I read that a while ago and didn't remember much about it.
Excellent plotting, excellent characters, and a fantastic villain.
I read this 400-page book in the space of about 30 hours. This is what happens when it rains the *entire* four days of one's July 4 weekend.
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Read in July, 2008
recommends it for:
Science Fiction Fans
Good solid science fiction and a not too mysterious mystery, I read the end shortly after starting so no mystery ever holds much. The characters were worth caring about. The broader ideas of democracy, electronic humanity and the ability of people to choose their way of living was interesting too. Enjoyed it immensely.
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Read in February, 2008
Stonking sci-fi whodunit. It's a meditation on the extremes of democracy and the balance of power between citizens and the state, and also an exploration of various forms of AI. One of the best of his that I've read - I like Century Rain a bit more but this one left me wanting more in the Revelation Space universe.
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Read in May, 2008
recommends it for:
Micheal Barry
Yet another great story from Alastair Reynolds. I'm not a great sci-fi fan but he always manages to conjure a great story within an interesting future universe. It's great fiction _with_ science, not fictional science in a giant geek-fest-comic-boy-love-in.
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If you like science fiction and space travel, you should find The Prefect a nice blend of both. Who caused the mysterious death of an orbiting habitat. From internal political strife to heart pumping action, this book should be one to consider.
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Read in May, 2008
I loved seeing more of the Glitter Band in this, and the stuff about the Clockmaker was lovely. There could have been more resolution, though.
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Read in November, 2007
recommends it for:
Reynolds fans
I learned that distributed intelligences suck since you can´t nuke them!
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Read in April, 2007
A fantastic mystery/science fiction novel.
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