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398th out of 932 books
—
884 voters
Diamond Dogs, Turquoise Days (Revelation Space collection)
Just when you thought it was safe to go back into interstellar space . . . Alastair Reynolds burst onto the SF scene with the Arthur C. Clarke Award-shortlisted REVELATION SPACE, British Science Fiction Award-winning CHASM CITY, and REDEMPTION ARK. Now experience the phenomenal imagination and breathtaking vision of 'The most exciting space opera writer working today' (Loc...more
Paperback, 240 pages
Published
October 9th 2003
by Gollancz
(first published 2002)
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Diamond Dogs | 4 stars
Up until the last few pages I would have rated this novella set in the Revelation Space universe only 3 or at most 3.5 stars. It's essentially Indiana Jones in space, very reminiscent of the challenges Indy faces at the end of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and Reynolds alludes to it with a very obvious Indy reference. It also ties in with Robert Browning's poem Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came. One of the characters is even named Roland Childe and he and his band...more
Up until the last few pages I would have rated this novella set in the Revelation Space universe only 3 or at most 3.5 stars. It's essentially Indiana Jones in space, very reminiscent of the challenges Indy faces at the end of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and Reynolds alludes to it with a very obvious Indy reference. It also ties in with Robert Browning's poem Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came. One of the characters is even named Roland Childe and he and his band...more
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A gigantic space opera: This is the book that places Reynolds on a similar level with Clarke and Baxter.
Having done a Physics major at university, I'm naturally drawn towards science fiction as opposed to fantasy books, and prefer the typical "hard" sci-fi to many other competitors in it's genre. Reynolds' advanced background in the field of astrophysics and his scientific logic allows him a superior element of control as to how things should behave, he attempts to rationlize and determine what...more
Having done a Physics major at university, I'm naturally drawn towards science fiction as opposed to fantasy books, and prefer the typical "hard" sci-fi to many other competitors in it's genre. Reynolds' advanced background in the field of astrophysics and his scientific logic allows him a superior element of control as to how things should behave, he attempts to rationlize and determine what...more
Diamonds Dogs, Turquoise Days consists of two novellas of roughly equal length, both set in Reynolds' Revelation Space universe. The second, Turquoise Days, is considerably better than the first, Diamond Dogs, but both are solid contributions to the canon.
Reynolds has always excelled at combining two distinct tones in his Revelation Space novels and short stories, and this collection divides them quite neatly. In Diamond dogs, Reynolds' penchant for mysterious alien artifacts comes to the fore,...more
Reynolds has always excelled at combining two distinct tones in his Revelation Space novels and short stories, and this collection divides them quite neatly. In Diamond dogs, Reynolds' penchant for mysterious alien artifacts comes to the fore,...more
Former astrophysicist Alastair Reynolds demonstrates why he is one of the most impressive new voices in European and indeed, World Science Fiction in "Diamond Dogs, Turquoise Days", this spellbinding collection of two novellas set in his Revelation Space universe. While both novellas are not as texturally rich as his novels "Revelation Space" and "Chasm City", they are still excellent examples of his splendid prose and development of intriguing characters. "Diamond Dogs" is a nail-biting, grippi...more
This small format hardcover (almost as small as a paperback) contains two novellas: Diamond Dogs and Turquoise Days. Both are set in the Revelation Space universe. Diamond Dogs is much less epic than his novels, being more of an idea piece. Although Reynolds’ prose is tight and elegant as ever, some of the passages seem just a bit too stilted. I think the short length of each novella (only about 110 pages) may be cramping the author’s distinctive style.
Even so, Reynold’s universe is still a very...more
Even so, Reynold’s universe is still a very...more
Diamond Dogs was an incredibly gritty story with no happy ending, and no lessons learned for the main character. It appears to be a moral lesson in greed and pride; how the characters who survive the novel seem to suffer a fate worse than death. It is of course well written, but does not contribute to the RS universe of which it is a part, except in setting up monsters to be taken down or used later (see Galactic North).
Turquoise Days made a brave attempt at exploring the Pattern Jugglers, a pro...more
Turquoise Days made a brave attempt at exploring the Pattern Jugglers, a pro...more
Not one of Reynold's best if you're expecting his usual fair of expansive space operas, this book consists of two novellas both set in Reynolds' Revelation Space. Diamond Dogs is basically 'Saw' science fiction style and a contemplation on compulsive puzzlers and gamblers, set in the last days of Chasm City's 'Belle epoch'. Turquoise Days is a story expanding the mysteries of the Pattern Jugglers. I won't go into further detail as you either know or you don't. What makes the stories special, as...more
Two novellas from one of the few SF authors I keep following these days. Both of the novellas are based in the Revelation Space continuum that is the scene of one of the author's major series.
Diamond Dogs was clearly the weaker of the two stories, although it made me jump gleefully when I recognised the Indiana Jones reference. The novella seems disconnected from the rest of the RS continuum and I was not very impressed by it, as - for the most part - it seemed directly inspired by The Cube movi...more
Diamond Dogs was clearly the weaker of the two stories, although it made me jump gleefully when I recognised the Indiana Jones reference. The novella seems disconnected from the rest of the RS continuum and I was not very impressed by it, as - for the most part - it seemed directly inspired by The Cube movi...more
So I've only read "Diamond Dogs," the first half of this book. I don't know if my rating will change after reading "Turquoise Days,"
That being said... Diamond Dogs... DIAMOND DOGS.
This story gave me chills in a way that I've only felt upon reading H.P. Lovecraft's "Color Out of Space." In some ways this story draws on that sort of cosmic horror, but with a richness of space opera science fiction lore that Reynolds so wonderfully executes in all of his stories set in the "Revelation Space" series...more
That being said... Diamond Dogs... DIAMOND DOGS.
This story gave me chills in a way that I've only felt upon reading H.P. Lovecraft's "Color Out of Space." In some ways this story draws on that sort of cosmic horror, but with a richness of space opera science fiction lore that Reynolds so wonderfully executes in all of his stories set in the "Revelation Space" series...more
See my profile for an explanation of the following breakdown:
Type: Morality play
Tech Style: Unobtainium
Consistency: Excellent (as are all of AR's books)
AR is an author with a hard, gritty style. His characters are very believable; they are complex and you tend to develop a strong empathy with them. These two novellas are cast in the same universe as Chasm City and the Revelation Space Trilogy, and carries one of the themes (alteration of the human mind and/or body) of those four space operas to...more
Type: Morality play
Tech Style: Unobtainium
Consistency: Excellent (as are all of AR's books)
AR is an author with a hard, gritty style. His characters are very believable; they are complex and you tend to develop a strong empathy with them. These two novellas are cast in the same universe as Chasm City and the Revelation Space Trilogy, and carries one of the themes (alteration of the human mind and/or body) of those four space operas to...more
This was my first encounter with the work of Reynolds, and I enjoyed both novellas or novelettes or whatever the hell they're called. Sometimes it's fun to drop right into the middle of a well-realized science fiction world and have to work at figuring out what's going on, rather than having every aspect of a reality patiently explained from the beginning. I don't know if this book will entice me to further explore the universe Reynolds has created but I am glad to have encountered his work. Als...more
Another room, another wrong answer, another punishment.
It made the last look like a minor reprimand.
This book contained two novellas set in the Revelation Space universe.
Roland Childe to the Blood Spire came, leading a small expedition to a mysterious artefact that has been discovered on an otherwise barren planet. The Blood Spire is a lethally dangerous place, a tower that can only be climbed by solving puzzles to advance from one room to the next, the basic premise is quite similar to the film...more
It made the last look like a minor reprimand.
This book contained two novellas set in the Revelation Space universe.
Roland Childe to the Blood Spire came, leading a small expedition to a mysterious artefact that has been discovered on an otherwise barren planet. The Blood Spire is a lethally dangerous place, a tower that can only be climbed by solving puzzles to advance from one room to the next, the basic premise is quite similar to the film...more
...Diamond Dogs, Turquoise Days offers two great novellas that can be read as a fine example of short form science fiction or as pieces that deepen the reader's understanding of the Revelation Space universe. However you choose to look that them, these novellas are very much worth reading. I think I liked this volume even better than
Galactic North
, which collects most of the remaining Revelation Space short fiction...
Full Random Comments reviews
Full Random Comments reviews
This book consist of two stories which both are part of the Revelation Space universe. Turquoise Days is an okay story but nothing special. Diamond Dogs on the other hand has something special to it. I find it extremely fascinating and slightly revolting at the same time. I guess it is because that although it deals with advanced technology from far into the future, it at the same time takes a look at aspects of human nature in a very captivating and realistic way. If you are already familiar wi...more
Another fine entry in the "Revelation Space" universe by Alastair Reynolds. Two very interesting novellas that provide some back story and color in at the margins of the Revelation Space universe seen in the main sequence of novels. Diamond Dogs is a disturbing little tale of the price of obsession that really stays with you. Turquoise Days is a relatively more pleasant story that delves into the Pattern Jugglers, one of Reynolds' more interesting creations in this universe. Highly recommended f...more
Two novellas set in the incredible Revelation Space universe. While Reynolds is at his best in the longer novel form, these two stories do offer a sense of the cultures Reynolds populates his imagined universe with. "Diamond Dogs" reads like a very, very dark tale of puzzle solving. Sort of a morbidly dark side of Dora the Explorer. While "Torquoise Days" gives a much appreciated explanation of the Juggler worlds that play such an interesting role in the other novels. These stories might only ap...more
It's a shame these two novellas were released together, because Turquoise Days is not horrible. The pattern jugglers are an interesting part of Reynolds Revelation Space universe, and on its own I might give it 4 stars. Unfortunately here it is paired with Diamond Dogs, and that is such steaming, stinking, shit-pile of xysma that poor little Turquoise Days can't hope to stand against it. Diamond Dogs makes reference to that appalling movie Cube, which is complete appropriate as Diamond Dogs is e...more
A good but not great pair of unrelated stories set in the "Revelation Space" universe.
Although the stories stand alone, there are references to events and characters in the other books and I think the reader will gain more from them if they are familiar with the series already (although I've only read Revelation Space myself).
I decided that I wanted to read some shorter works of his and whilst I do appreciate the brevity (constrasting with his longer works), I wasn't particularly blown away by...more
Although the stories stand alone, there are references to events and characters in the other books and I think the reader will gain more from them if they are familiar with the series already (although I've only read Revelation Space myself).
I decided that I wanted to read some shorter works of his and whilst I do appreciate the brevity (constrasting with his longer works), I wasn't particularly blown away by...more
1 like · like · see review
Child Rowland to the dark tower came,
His word was still 'Fie, foh, and fum
I smell the blood of a British man.
King Lear, Act 3, scene 4
Diamond Dogs, Turquoise Days is a pair of novellas set in Alastair Reynolds' "Revelation Space" universe. I have lately began to believe that, in fact, the novella might be the perfect size in which to tell a science fiction story. If there were any doubt, Reynolds lays it to rest in the brilliant "Diamond Dogs.
Diamond Dogs is the story of a group of specialis...more
His word was still 'Fie, foh, and fum
I smell the blood of a British man.
King Lear, Act 3, scene 4
Diamond Dogs, Turquoise Days is a pair of novellas set in Alastair Reynolds' "Revelation Space" universe. I have lately began to believe that, in fact, the novella might be the perfect size in which to tell a science fiction story. If there were any doubt, Reynolds lays it to rest in the brilliant "Diamond Dogs.
Diamond Dogs is the story of a group of specialis...more
Ce livre est un recueil de deux longues nouvelles se passant dans l’univers déja décrit dans ses romans du cycle de La cité du gouffre. Ces deux nouvelles très différentes sont fascinantes, et méritent chacune une lecture attentite.
Diamond dogs
Cette première nouvelle nous raconte les (més)aventures d’une bande d’aventuriers partis chercher ce qui se cache dans un artefact extra-terrestre perdu sur une planète isolée : la Tour de Sang. Vu le nom de l’artefact, on peut se douter que ça va mal se p...more
Diamond dogs
Cette première nouvelle nous raconte les (més)aventures d’une bande d’aventuriers partis chercher ce qui se cache dans un artefact extra-terrestre perdu sur une planète isolée : la Tour de Sang. Vu le nom de l’artefact, on peut se douter que ça va mal se p...more
___________
Diamond Dogs 5/5 ___ Turquoise Days 4/5
I wasn't sure If I would like these Novellas, because as much as I love the Revelation space Trilogy and Chasm City they all took me about 100 - 200 pages before I got sucked into the them. However, as can be seen from my rating I loved them, they were just as dark, gritty and bleak as the main trilogy with compelling worlds and characters that left me reflecting back on them after I finished.
An interesting combination of two dissimilar stories. In the end, I happened to like both, and so just barely gave a four star rating, instead of three.
Diamond Dogs is essentially a dungeon crawl, and should thus appeal to any fan of role playing games. The main theme is the time-honored taking an obsession too far. It suffers from some pacing issues, though, at times either dragging on, or skimming.
Turquoise Days on the other hand, is a beautifully paced and balanced story, but it failed to gra...more
Diamond Dogs is essentially a dungeon crawl, and should thus appeal to any fan of role playing games. The main theme is the time-honored taking an obsession too far. It suffers from some pacing issues, though, at times either dragging on, or skimming.
Turquoise Days on the other hand, is a beautifully paced and balanced story, but it failed to gra...more
Two stories in one volume.
Diamond Dogs reminds me of a Star Trek episode: imposing spire full of challenges, and punishments, for those who enter and accept.
Turquoise Days was a lot more like Herbert's Jesus Incident et seq., in more ways than one.
Reynolds has certainly done better than these two, both of which seemed more than incomplete.
Diamond Dogs reminds me of a Star Trek episode: imposing spire full of challenges, and punishments, for those who enter and accept.
Turquoise Days was a lot more like Herbert's Jesus Incident et seq., in more ways than one.
Reynolds has certainly done better than these two, both of which seemed more than incomplete.
Jul 27, 2012
Eija
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
x_novellikokoelmat,
luettu-käännös
Timanttikoirat oli hyvä tarina sisältäen mielenkiintoisia keksintöjä kuten Reynoldsin muutkin tarinat. Sense of wonderia. Itse tarina oli mukaansatempaava ja ei ennalta arvattava.
Turkoosi päivät on tarina mielenmuovaajista,yhteen sulautuneesta mielestä, joka elää meressä. OK tarina, mutta ei niin hyvä kuin Timanttikoirat.
Turkoosi päivät on tarina mielenmuovaajista,yhteen sulautuneesta mielestä, joka elää meressä. OK tarina, mutta ei niin hyvä kuin Timanttikoirat.
While I did prefer Diamond Dogs over Turquoise Days, I'd like to re-read the latter on its own, and not immediately following Diamond Dogs. I was expecting more of the tense, atmospheric setting from Diamond Dogs to surface Turquoise Days, but that tale is more muted and slower to develop. Both are good, but I don't feel that I truly appreciated what Turquoise Days had to offer. In any event, both are good additions to the Revelation Space universe.
This was actually my introduction to Alastair Reynolds. Given the current state of my bookshelves, it was a good one.
Do be warned that it was the "dive in at the deep end" kind of introduction. If you are convinced that you want to read mr. Reynolds books then starting at Revelation Space is probably easier.
Do be warned that it was the "dive in at the deep end" kind of introduction. If you are convinced that you want to read mr. Reynolds books then starting at Revelation Space is probably easier.
These two stories were somewhat interesting and a nice quick read. They provide a little more detail to the Revelation Space universe but I was hoping to get more. Instead both of these stories focus on as yet unreferenced worlds. I did like the little touch at the end of Turquoise Days subtly linking the two stories.
Loved both stories greatly, and this book's length makes it a great introduction to the space opera genre without having to read one of Alastair's heftier books. A good couple of novellas to get a taste for Alastair's work if you've never read any before, I especially enjoyed Diamond Dogs. They got me hooked!
Timanttikoirat oli loistava pieni scifikertomus pakkomielteen kahlitsemasta elämänasenteesta.Turkoosi taasen oli jokseenkin ihan täysin turha tekele,ilmeisesti 100 sivuista timanttikoiraa ei millään voinut yksin julkaista niin piti kirjoittaa roskaa toiset sata sivua että sai kirjan julkaistua..
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Alastair Reynolds, former scientist and now full-time writer. Most of what he writes is science fiction, with a strong concern for scientific verisimilitude (although he is prepared to break the rules for the sake of a good story). He has lived in England, Scotland and the Netherlands where he worked as an astrophysicist for the European Space Agency until 2004, but now makes his home back in his...more
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