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The Six Directions of Space
An original novella by the modern master of space opera, limited to only 1000 signed hardcover copies.
What if Genghis Khan got his wish, and brought the entire planet under the control of the Mongols? Where would he have gone next?
A thousand years after Khan's death, Yellow Dog is the codename of a female spy working for a vast Mongol-dominated galactic empire. When she learns of anomalous events happening on the edge of civilised space -- phantom ships appearing in the faster-than-light transit system which binds the empire together -- Yellow Dog puts herself forward for the most hazardous assignment of her career. In deep cover, she must penetrate the autonomous zone where the anomalies are most frequent, and determine whether the empire is really under attack, and if so by who or what. Yellow Dog's problems, however, are only just beginning. For the autonomous zone is under the heel of Qilian, a thuggish local tyrant with no love for central government and a reputation for extreme brutality. Qilian already knows more about the anomalies than Yellow Dog does. If she is going to learn more, she will have to earn his confidence -- even if that means working for him, rather than against him.
So begins a deadly game of subterfuge and double-cross -- while the anomalies increase...
What if Genghis Khan got his wish, and brought the entire planet under the control of the Mongols? Where would he have gone next?
A thousand years after Khan's death, Yellow Dog is the codename of a female spy working for a vast Mongol-dominated galactic empire. When she learns of anomalous events happening on the edge of civilised space -- phantom ships appearing in the faster-than-light transit system which binds the empire together -- Yellow Dog puts herself forward for the most hazardous assignment of her career. In deep cover, she must penetrate the autonomous zone where the anomalies are most frequent, and determine whether the empire is really under attack, and if so by who or what. Yellow Dog's problems, however, are only just beginning. For the autonomous zone is under the heel of Qilian, a thuggish local tyrant with no love for central government and a reputation for extreme brutality. Qilian already knows more about the anomalies than Yellow Dog does. If she is going to learn more, she will have to earn his confidence -- even if that means working for him, rather than against him.
So begins a deadly game of subterfuge and double-cross -- while the anomalies increase...
85 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2008
24 people are currently reading
878 people want to read
About the author
Alastair Reynolds
313 books9,313 followersI'm Al, I used to be a space scientist, and now I'm a writer, although for a time the two careers ran in parallel. I started off publishing short stories in the British SF magazine Interzone in the early 90s, then eventually branched into novels. I write about a novel a year and try to write a few short stories as well. Some of my books and stories are set in a consistent future named after Revelation Space, the first novel, but I've done a lot of other things as well and I like to keep things fresh between books.
I was born in Wales, but raised in Cornwall, and then spent time in the north of England and Scotland. I moved to the Netherlands to continue my science career and stayed there for a very long time, before eventually returning to Wales.
In my spare time I am a very keen runner, and I also enjoying hill-walking, birdwatching, horse-riding, guitar and model-making. I also dabble with paints now and then. I met my wife in the Netherlands through a mutual interest in climbing and we married back in Wales. We live surrounded by hills, woods and wildlife, and not too much excitement.
I was born in Wales, but raised in Cornwall, and then spent time in the north of England and Scotland. I moved to the Netherlands to continue my science career and stayed there for a very long time, before eventually returning to Wales.
In my spare time I am a very keen runner, and I also enjoying hill-walking, birdwatching, horse-riding, guitar and model-making. I also dabble with paints now and then. I met my wife in the Netherlands through a mutual interest in climbing and we married back in Wales. We live surrounded by hills, woods and wildlife, and not too much excitement.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
September 6, 2018
Alastair Reynolds was born in 1966 in Barry, Wales he is a British science fiction author. He specializes in dark hard science fiction and space opera and noir toned stories. He became an author in 2004.
"The Six Directions of Space" first appeared in 'Galactic Empires' edited by Gardner Dozois from the Science Fiction Book Club, 2008.
This is nice space opera.
Note: Beware Subterranean printed a second edition of this book if you are a collector.
This hardcover book is numbered 352 of 1000 published and is signed by Alastair Reynolds.
"The Six Directions of Space" first appeared in 'Galactic Empires' edited by Gardner Dozois from the Science Fiction Book Club, 2008.
This is nice space opera.
Note: Beware Subterranean printed a second edition of this book if you are a collector.
This hardcover book is numbered 352 of 1000 published and is signed by Alastair Reynolds.
June 2, 2017
It’s really astounding how Al Reynolds managed to create a multiverse in just 80 odd pages. Not that his other novellas are less amazing; he is one of few who can write thousands of pages of space opera and short stories with equal mastery.
In this one, not only creates a Mongolian Empire but also touches the sensitive issue of hatred and wars between people of different religions:
” People are people. If the Infrastructure is truly breaking down, allowing all these timelines to bleed into one another, then we are all going to have get along with each other sooner or later, no matter what we all did to each other in our various histories. We’re all going to have to put the past behind us.” “
It also reminded me of Cixin’s The Dark Forest – the universe out there is not at all a friendly place:
” I recalled what our pilot had said about there being no such thing as a harmless interstellar culture. […] We had survived our first encounter with another galactic empire. More were to follow. ‘
Wonderful story; a must for sci-fi fans.
Note: it may be found also in Gardner Dozois anthology from 2008, Galactic Empires
In this one, not only creates a Mongolian Empire but also touches the sensitive issue of hatred and wars between people of different religions:
” People are people. If the Infrastructure is truly breaking down, allowing all these timelines to bleed into one another, then we are all going to have get along with each other sooner or later, no matter what we all did to each other in our various histories. We’re all going to have to put the past behind us.” “
It also reminded me of Cixin’s The Dark Forest – the universe out there is not at all a friendly place:
” I recalled what our pilot had said about there being no such thing as a harmless interstellar culture. […] We had survived our first encounter with another galactic empire. More were to follow. ‘
Wonderful story; a must for sci-fi fans.
Note: it may be found also in Gardner Dozois anthology from 2008, Galactic Empires
September 21, 2019
Interesting alternate universe(s) themed story where the Mongolian empire (?!) achieved global dominance and ultimately expanded into space, to find a vast network of faster than light transportation hubs so ancient it has begun to deteriorate. I initially found some of the politics and the characters' motivating factors a bit confusing, but ultimately it all came together.
July 20, 2009
ADDENDUM (7/20) - I realized last night, after writing this review, that I probably should have mentioned that there are two scenes of animal and human abuse (aka "torture") that might disturb/distress some readers. Happily, Reynolds doesn't dwell on either scene. The human torture scene isn't gratuitous and makes sense in the context of the story; I'm not so sure about the animal torture scene. Seems Reynolds might have been gilding the lily in establishing the "bad guy's" bona fides.
In keeping with my East Asian-themed reading schedule lately, I was pleasantly surprised to find this novella on my library's New Books shelf (doubly surprised considering the financial...ummm...difficulties California is suffering at the moment of writing this but I guess it's "already budgeted" funds).
At any rate, the story begins in an alternate universe where the Mongol Empire never fell, conquering the entire planet and eventually creating a star-spanning empire using technology from a long-extinct alien race that appears to give access to wormholes (Reynolds doesn't develop the background much but considering this is an 85-page story that's not surprising and doesn't distract from the reader's immediate enjoyment). The main character, Yellow Dog, is an agent sent by the Great Khan to investigate strange phenomena that've been occurring on the fringes of the Mongol Expansion - disappearing ships, alien ships seen the wormhole pathways - the usual "stuff" in stories of this type. Eventually she discovers that "the Infrastructure" is breaking down, allowing alternate realities to enter hers (including one where an Islamic Caliphate conquers the world, one where lemurs became the dominant intelligent life, another where million-year-old xenophobic aliens known as the Smiling Ones rule, and our own world).
Reflecting on the story, there are aspects that bothered me. For example, I can't quite buy the oversimplification of history. For anyone with a passing knowledge of the subject, it's inconceivable that a Mongol Empire could have survived as a single entity from the 13th century (much less an Islamic Caliphate). Nor did I buy the conceit that Mongol science managed to equal our own without the concept of "zero." Reynolds makes much of this, I suppose to further differentiate our world from Yellow Dog's, but it's another idea that doesn't hold up well.
But I think I'm overanalyzing...For the hour or so I spent in Yellow Dog's universe(s), I enjoyed myself.
In keeping with my East Asian-themed reading schedule lately, I was pleasantly surprised to find this novella on my library's New Books shelf (doubly surprised considering the financial...ummm...difficulties California is suffering at the moment of writing this but I guess it's "already budgeted" funds).
At any rate, the story begins in an alternate universe where the Mongol Empire never fell, conquering the entire planet and eventually creating a star-spanning empire using technology from a long-extinct alien race that appears to give access to wormholes (Reynolds doesn't develop the background much but considering this is an 85-page story that's not surprising and doesn't distract from the reader's immediate enjoyment). The main character, Yellow Dog, is an agent sent by the Great Khan to investigate strange phenomena that've been occurring on the fringes of the Mongol Expansion - disappearing ships, alien ships seen the wormhole pathways - the usual "stuff" in stories of this type. Eventually she discovers that "the Infrastructure" is breaking down, allowing alternate realities to enter hers (including one where an Islamic Caliphate conquers the world, one where lemurs became the dominant intelligent life, another where million-year-old xenophobic aliens known as the Smiling Ones rule, and our own world).
Reflecting on the story, there are aspects that bothered me. For example, I can't quite buy the oversimplification of history. For anyone with a passing knowledge of the subject, it's inconceivable that a Mongol Empire could have survived as a single entity from the 13th century (much less an Islamic Caliphate). Nor did I buy the conceit that Mongol science managed to equal our own without the concept of "zero." Reynolds makes much of this, I suppose to further differentiate our world from Yellow Dog's, but it's another idea that doesn't hold up well.
But I think I'm overanalyzing...For the hour or so I spent in Yellow Dog's universe(s), I enjoyed myself.
October 10, 2012
Anthologized in
The Year's Best SF 26
"Reynolds is a master of fitting large-scale space opera into just a few pages, and this novella is no exception... short but intriguing universe-spanning mystery." - Publishers Weekly
"Impressive... Set in a solidly built universe, full of excellent espionage and adventure... a surprisingly small package to contain such a lot of entertainment." - Booklist
The Year's Best SF 26"Reynolds is a master of fitting large-scale space opera into just a few pages, and this novella is no exception... short but intriguing universe-spanning mystery." - Publishers Weekly
"Impressive... Set in a solidly built universe, full of excellent espionage and adventure... a surprisingly small package to contain such a lot of entertainment." - Booklist
September 1, 2016
Terrific, but ends suddenly ! Too short!
Too bad, because I loved Yellow Dog - confident, competent, clever. The other universes hold so much promise, fascinating tidbits and hints, abandoned :(
I would love to see a continuation of this book.
Too bad, because I loved Yellow Dog - confident, competent, clever. The other universes hold so much promise, fascinating tidbits and hints, abandoned :(
I would love to see a continuation of this book.
June 15, 2013
Revising my earlier opinion of this one. It should have SIX STARS.
A prized possession of mine is a limited signed edition of The Six Directions of Space in hardcover, and not just because it is a limited signed edition, my only signed Alastair Reynolds (to date; hope springs eternal while there is life, etc.), but because it is one of the coolest stories ever, and I do not engage in empty hyperbole there.
Three words. MONGOLS. IN. SPACE.
Yes, that's right, oh my blogettes, this story concerns the future that sprang from an alternate past in which the Mongol Empire did not fall apart after the death of Temujin, better known to history as Genghis Khan, but went on to conquer the entire world, which became known simply as Greater Mongolia. Sure, there are still pesky pockets of, e.g., Buddhists and Nestorian Christians and the odd Muslim here and there, but basically the Mongol culture, horses and all, dominated everything right up to and including humanity's journey to the stars.
A funny old thing, though, Mongols in space. The culture transmits to a space-born empire pretty well, if one can imagine people taking their steppe ponies with them on their spaceships (and hey, Reynolds has depicted a people who plan to take elephants into space with them, so why not ponies?) and still functioning without the Zero, which these Space Mongols still insist is a fruity Arab affectation they'll have no truck with, even though it makes their science and engineering a bit clunky and cumbersome. These are people who get drunk on fermented mare's milk and found a way to sing more than one note at a time, folks. They do stuff their own way. Even in space.
I'm ever astounded at how Reynolds managed to convey the scope and sweep, not only of a galactic Mongol Empire, but of what is essentially a multiverse, in just 85 tight pages.* And it's not just this empire he's describing, but its unique settlement of inhospitable worlds, like in this passage:
"There were no fixed communities on the moon. Instead, immense spiderlike platforms, mounted on six or eight intricate jointed legs, picked their way across the ever-shifting terrain in awesome slow motion."**
And oh, there's a tight and nifty little plot that still manages to convey a sense of grand scale, too. It involves a secret government agent, a woman named Yellow Dog (one of a series of Reynolds' ass-kicking female characters who would not pass a Bechdel test so much as beat the crap out of you -- literally or metaphorically -- for suggesting it to her) whose mission is to investigate a series of phantom intrusions into the empire's (found and scavenged, a la the Gateways in Frederick Pohls' Heechee books***) interstellar transport network, and who runs afoul of a petty official who turns out to be anything but -- and discovers some mind-blowing secrets about the way things really work out there.
Truly a marvel, this one.
*Anyone who accuses him of bloat obviously hasn't had a look at this story (or any of his short fiction for that matter).
**Shades again of Volyova's Spider Room on the Nostalgia for Infinity in Reynolds' Revelation Space universe.
***Thus perhaps a bit too neatly solving the problem of how a zero-less science and society would someday achieve faster-than-light travel, but I don't care. It's awesome. Did I mention it's Mongols in Space? It's Mongols in Space, people. Drop everything and take the time to listen to Dan Carlin's awesome multipart podcast on the Wrath of the Khans and imagine all of that in space, minus the diminishing/loss of empire bits. Would I want to live in that universe? Hell no. I wouldn't have been allowed to grow up, most likely. But I can admire them from afar, especially their women (Borte!). And cheer them on. And stuff.
A prized possession of mine is a limited signed edition of The Six Directions of Space in hardcover, and not just because it is a limited signed edition, my only signed Alastair Reynolds (to date; hope springs eternal while there is life, etc.), but because it is one of the coolest stories ever, and I do not engage in empty hyperbole there.
Three words. MONGOLS. IN. SPACE.
Yes, that's right, oh my blogettes, this story concerns the future that sprang from an alternate past in which the Mongol Empire did not fall apart after the death of Temujin, better known to history as Genghis Khan, but went on to conquer the entire world, which became known simply as Greater Mongolia. Sure, there are still pesky pockets of, e.g., Buddhists and Nestorian Christians and the odd Muslim here and there, but basically the Mongol culture, horses and all, dominated everything right up to and including humanity's journey to the stars.
A funny old thing, though, Mongols in space. The culture transmits to a space-born empire pretty well, if one can imagine people taking their steppe ponies with them on their spaceships (and hey, Reynolds has depicted a people who plan to take elephants into space with them, so why not ponies?) and still functioning without the Zero, which these Space Mongols still insist is a fruity Arab affectation they'll have no truck with, even though it makes their science and engineering a bit clunky and cumbersome. These are people who get drunk on fermented mare's milk and found a way to sing more than one note at a time, folks. They do stuff their own way. Even in space.
I'm ever astounded at how Reynolds managed to convey the scope and sweep, not only of a galactic Mongol Empire, but of what is essentially a multiverse, in just 85 tight pages.* And it's not just this empire he's describing, but its unique settlement of inhospitable worlds, like in this passage:
"There were no fixed communities on the moon. Instead, immense spiderlike platforms, mounted on six or eight intricate jointed legs, picked their way across the ever-shifting terrain in awesome slow motion."**
And oh, there's a tight and nifty little plot that still manages to convey a sense of grand scale, too. It involves a secret government agent, a woman named Yellow Dog (one of a series of Reynolds' ass-kicking female characters who would not pass a Bechdel test so much as beat the crap out of you -- literally or metaphorically -- for suggesting it to her) whose mission is to investigate a series of phantom intrusions into the empire's (found and scavenged, a la the Gateways in Frederick Pohls' Heechee books***) interstellar transport network, and who runs afoul of a petty official who turns out to be anything but -- and discovers some mind-blowing secrets about the way things really work out there.
Truly a marvel, this one.
*Anyone who accuses him of bloat obviously hasn't had a look at this story (or any of his short fiction for that matter).
**Shades again of Volyova's Spider Room on the Nostalgia for Infinity in Reynolds' Revelation Space universe.
***Thus perhaps a bit too neatly solving the problem of how a zero-less science and society would someday achieve faster-than-light travel, but I don't care. It's awesome. Did I mention it's Mongols in Space? It's Mongols in Space, people. Drop everything and take the time to listen to Dan Carlin's awesome multipart podcast on the Wrath of the Khans and imagine all of that in space, minus the diminishing/loss of empire bits. Would I want to live in that universe? Hell no. I wouldn't have been allowed to grow up, most likely. But I can admire them from afar, especially their women (Borte!). And cheer them on. And stuff.
June 19, 2015
According to Goodreads, Three-stars means 'I liked it.' Funny how I feel guilty about saying I like something. It's like my kid, he graduated from high school this spring and after the graduation several of us wanted to go out and eat with him. So we made arrangements, showed up, and when he found out where it was. He got pissed.
He complained about where we ate, he complained that we didn't do something during the graduation ceremony (I can't remember what it was now) and he complained about not hearing from someone that he thought he was going to hear from.
In all, he complained. A lot.
When it was all over I pulled him aside and told him about the value of being a bit gracious sometimes, even if all his dreams didn't come true exactly the way he wanted them to. He still is well loved, had a great meal at a great restaurant, and has his whole life ahead of him to do great things. He then looked at me in shock, like I was speaking a foreign language.
"What are you talking about?" he asked.
"Well, you've been complaining about pretty much everything that we've said or done all evening. You're clearly not happy."
"Don't know what you're talking about. This has been great."
Yep, that's my boy. Also, this is me. I'm telling you I liked this story. Three stars should be a good rating, usually it means people are not altogether happy with the story their rating if it ends up with only three stars.
Well, here's the thing. While I liked it, Alastair Reynolds is a modern legend, and I love his novels and shorter works both. I've read most of them (actually, all of them that are available in collections here in the states, I think) and I believe that this is a good story, just not one of my favorites.
I have no complaints about it, per se, just the thought that it was a disposable tale, pretty well told. I have Slow Bullets sitting right here beside me. I'll be digging into it a bit later this summer. Can't wait to get started on that one.
But for now, with this story. Read if you're a fan already, and if you're not, pick something else from Reynolds to be your introduction to his work.
He complained about where we ate, he complained that we didn't do something during the graduation ceremony (I can't remember what it was now) and he complained about not hearing from someone that he thought he was going to hear from.
In all, he complained. A lot.
When it was all over I pulled him aside and told him about the value of being a bit gracious sometimes, even if all his dreams didn't come true exactly the way he wanted them to. He still is well loved, had a great meal at a great restaurant, and has his whole life ahead of him to do great things. He then looked at me in shock, like I was speaking a foreign language.
"What are you talking about?" he asked.
"Well, you've been complaining about pretty much everything that we've said or done all evening. You're clearly not happy."
"Don't know what you're talking about. This has been great."
Yep, that's my boy. Also, this is me. I'm telling you I liked this story. Three stars should be a good rating, usually it means people are not altogether happy with the story their rating if it ends up with only three stars.
Well, here's the thing. While I liked it, Alastair Reynolds is a modern legend, and I love his novels and shorter works both. I've read most of them (actually, all of them that are available in collections here in the states, I think) and I believe that this is a good story, just not one of my favorites.
I have no complaints about it, per se, just the thought that it was a disposable tale, pretty well told. I have Slow Bullets sitting right here beside me. I'll be digging into it a bit later this summer. Can't wait to get started on that one.
But for now, with this story. Read if you're a fan already, and if you're not, pick something else from Reynolds to be your introduction to his work.
October 20, 2014
Typically a short story focuses on a single concept, and while The Six Directions of Space essentially follows that template, it feels far more expansive then its 88 pages. This is accomplished through efficient storytelling and a couple clever methods. (Warning – the following may crossover into spoiler-ish territory for some readers, although aligned with my expectations).
We are introduced to our protagonist, Yellow Dog, as she is traveling from outside a Mongolian vanguard into its political center. This allows us learn class, culture, units of measure, social and political structures along the way; simultaneously revealing the personality and ethics of our point of view. We learn that this narrative takes place in a future derived from an alternate history where the Mongols conquered the entire world, then continued their expansion into a galactic empire. By starting this future from an alternate history we immediately are presented with a parallel universe mindset as we compare a future from our reality set against the future from the Mongol origin. As Yellow Dog’s investigation reveals additional seed species and cultures we can rapidly contemplate and overlay these parallel realities with minimal narration. This allows Alastair Reynolds to focus on plot and leave the bulk of the world building to the reader. Liberated from the heavy exposition, we traverse great expanses and see our character change, re-aligning allegiances, in pursuit of answers to these phantom anomalies at the edge of her kingdom.
The Six Directions of Space is a well-written, engaging piece which while managing not to end in a cliffhanger certainly leaves the story open for additional chapters. It walks the thin line between wanting more and needing more, but for me left me satisfied.
We are introduced to our protagonist, Yellow Dog, as she is traveling from outside a Mongolian vanguard into its political center. This allows us learn class, culture, units of measure, social and political structures along the way; simultaneously revealing the personality and ethics of our point of view. We learn that this narrative takes place in a future derived from an alternate history where the Mongols conquered the entire world, then continued their expansion into a galactic empire. By starting this future from an alternate history we immediately are presented with a parallel universe mindset as we compare a future from our reality set against the future from the Mongol origin. As Yellow Dog’s investigation reveals additional seed species and cultures we can rapidly contemplate and overlay these parallel realities with minimal narration. This allows Alastair Reynolds to focus on plot and leave the bulk of the world building to the reader. Liberated from the heavy exposition, we traverse great expanses and see our character change, re-aligning allegiances, in pursuit of answers to these phantom anomalies at the edge of her kingdom.
The Six Directions of Space is a well-written, engaging piece which while managing not to end in a cliffhanger certainly leaves the story open for additional chapters. It walks the thin line between wanting more and needing more, but for me left me satisfied.
April 12, 2016
I've read almost everything Alastair Reynolds has written, starting with the mesmerizing trilogy of Absolution Gap, Revelation Space, and Chasm City. A first rate writer with an unbounded imagination. I know I'm always in good hands when I start a book by Reynolds. Six Directions may not be as great as his very best, but even his not quite best is better than almost anyone else out there.
October 23, 2017
3.5 stars
November 8, 2014
I came to appreciating the short stories - they can be easily read and they can be read even among all those other things that demand to be done on time. That's probably the main reason I've finished reading two graphic novels and this book in last two days.
I've waited so long for Alastair Reynolds stories. I've got his Revelation Space on Kindle since February, but regrettably, there have been other things I've attended to (although it doesn't seem like that when you look at my reading list - yet the majority of titles posted there were as short as this one, that's the dirty little secret of my book challenge).
After finishing the Six Directions I feel like I need to read other titles from him. Since Reynolds is actually a scientist (yet astrophysics and biology don't have much in common), I feel like... it's indescribable. It may well be a professional degradation on my part, too.
The thought of great Mongolian Expansion is excellent. And that there are parallel worlds existing at the same time and place, that's also something I like. It can be found in many works across the sci-fi universe, yet I haven't heard of something dealing with multiple parallels at the same time. And although it's named "The Six Directions of Space", there are many more than six empires conquering the vast universe. It seems better than "we're not alone here", actually.
I liked it.
A lot.
And so I recommend it to read to everyone.
It's not a soft sci-fi; however, neither it's a hard one. A comprehensive plot. Although you may struggle with some terms (because not everyone is an expert on Mongol), it makes sense in the end. Better than jigsaw :)
I've waited so long for Alastair Reynolds stories. I've got his Revelation Space on Kindle since February, but regrettably, there have been other things I've attended to (although it doesn't seem like that when you look at my reading list - yet the majority of titles posted there were as short as this one, that's the dirty little secret of my book challenge).
After finishing the Six Directions I feel like I need to read other titles from him. Since Reynolds is actually a scientist (yet astrophysics and biology don't have much in common), I feel like... it's indescribable. It may well be a professional degradation on my part, too.
The thought of great Mongolian Expansion is excellent. And that there are parallel worlds existing at the same time and place, that's also something I like. It can be found in many works across the sci-fi universe, yet I haven't heard of something dealing with multiple parallels at the same time. And although it's named "The Six Directions of Space", there are many more than six empires conquering the vast universe. It seems better than "we're not alone here", actually.
I liked it.
A lot.
And so I recommend it to read to everyone.
It's not a soft sci-fi; however, neither it's a hard one. A comprehensive plot. Although you may struggle with some terms (because not everyone is an expert on Mongol), it makes sense in the end. Better than jigsaw :)
April 14, 2016
Reynolds is just an outstanding story-teller. He is a master at the long epic but can also write a brilliant tale in the short form. This novella is an outstanding example. For fans of sci-fi and good ideas...
April 4, 2017
Good what-if story about if the Mongols had taken over space. Other multiple universes include an Islamic caliphate space empire and a lemur empire. Ends on an uplifting note about the need to set past differences aside and work together. Some good airag jokes too.
May 8, 2023
“I would advise you to be on your guard against the obvious”. Boy, did I luck out with this novella as my Bank Holiday reading. A Mongol referred to as “Yellow Dog” views an enormous caravan of riders, tents and siege engines before reporting to the khan and accepting a very strange mission. Where do things go from there? Everywhere.
This heaps idea upon idea, mystery upon mystery, reveal upon reveal until ending a tad abruptly with a moral straight out of Star Trek and it’s possible the length of the tale was constrained by a mandated word limit (my copy was part of Gardner Dozois’ excellent “Galactic Empires” anthology). Whole other fictions and thought experiments could easily be spun off from the various ideas in play here and I would have been quite happy with at least double the word count. Long-term genre readers will probably be ahead of the curve with a lot of what Reynolds does but it’s all in how you spin the ball and Reynolds’ economy of set-up and multiple plot turns makes for a wonderfully bracing read. “Direction” features golden space-ship capsules, mummified corpses, bodies floating in urns of suspension fluid and steam-punky vehicles transgressing skeins and finding civilisations beyond, all of which brings to mind Wells and Verne and that delicious feeling of watching an Amicus/Doug McClure adventure flick. There is a “look out the window” moment onto a planetary ring system (“It’s a hellhole, frankly”) that feels Asimovian and in the inspection of alien wreckage and opening up crashed spaceships there’s even a touch of Quatermass. As an idea-salad this is a rich feast and Reynolds is a good enough story-teller to always keep you only a page or two away from the next boffo development. With the early line “Now all I had to do was poison the eunuch” we immediately know we’re in safe hands and that we’re off to the races.
“Direction” is not a particularly character-based tale so the blood-curdling maniac Qilian never goes much beyond lunatic mode and Ariunaa, despite her own early agendas, ends up referring to her captor as “my master” and dutifully working for him which could have done with some more unpacking. In addition, gentler readers should be warned this is an Alastair Reynolds novella and that sick puppy has two interrogation scenes he wishes our dreams to be haunted by. But apart from trying to forget what happens to Goyo my main question by the end of the novella was how the hell did the Mongols get into space? Or indeed any of the other early civilisations? It’s fascinating to speculate and I wouldn’t mind seeing some of that rendered on the page. Nevertheless, if you’re already a Reynolds acolyte this is a no-brainer and if you’re new to his work this is a superb introduction. “This would be an excellent time not to make a mistake, if you understanding my meaning.”
This heaps idea upon idea, mystery upon mystery, reveal upon reveal until ending a tad abruptly with a moral straight out of Star Trek and it’s possible the length of the tale was constrained by a mandated word limit (my copy was part of Gardner Dozois’ excellent “Galactic Empires” anthology). Whole other fictions and thought experiments could easily be spun off from the various ideas in play here and I would have been quite happy with at least double the word count. Long-term genre readers will probably be ahead of the curve with a lot of what Reynolds does but it’s all in how you spin the ball and Reynolds’ economy of set-up and multiple plot turns makes for a wonderfully bracing read. “Direction” features golden space-ship capsules, mummified corpses, bodies floating in urns of suspension fluid and steam-punky vehicles transgressing skeins and finding civilisations beyond, all of which brings to mind Wells and Verne and that delicious feeling of watching an Amicus/Doug McClure adventure flick. There is a “look out the window” moment onto a planetary ring system (“It’s a hellhole, frankly”) that feels Asimovian and in the inspection of alien wreckage and opening up crashed spaceships there’s even a touch of Quatermass. As an idea-salad this is a rich feast and Reynolds is a good enough story-teller to always keep you only a page or two away from the next boffo development. With the early line “Now all I had to do was poison the eunuch” we immediately know we’re in safe hands and that we’re off to the races.
“Direction” is not a particularly character-based tale so the blood-curdling maniac Qilian never goes much beyond lunatic mode and Ariunaa, despite her own early agendas, ends up referring to her captor as “my master” and dutifully working for him which could have done with some more unpacking. In addition, gentler readers should be warned this is an Alastair Reynolds novella and that sick puppy has two interrogation scenes he wishes our dreams to be haunted by. But apart from trying to forget what happens to Goyo my main question by the end of the novella was how the hell did the Mongols get into space? Or indeed any of the other early civilisations? It’s fascinating to speculate and I wouldn’t mind seeing some of that rendered on the page. Nevertheless, if you’re already a Reynolds acolyte this is a no-brainer and if you’re new to his work this is a superb introduction. “This would be an excellent time not to make a mistake, if you understanding my meaning.”
April 16, 2020
I don't think I've tried reading Alastair Reynolds before, and in fact, I think I've confused him with a writer i had tried before on multiple occasions. This proved, sadly, to my detriment as I have not tried more of his work and the disrepute of Mr. Reynolds who actually turned out a lovely little yarn. It wasn't anything mind bending like what Iain M. Banks is doing to my mind right now with his Culture series, but it was a very fun little spy novel in a very interesting future. I will definitely be giving Mr. Reynolds more attention (when my library reopens from the apocalypse) and check out some of his other works. Feel free to drop me any recommendations, thanks.
This story is a short novella, and it has some interesting characters and features an interesting future run by the mongol empire. The main protagonist, Yellow Dog, is a woman, which is fun as hell and kind of cool as a fan of classic sci-fi I usually tend to run into your typical, know-it-all scientist, white, male. Which is cool, it's never turned me off from reading my classic sci-fi, but it's nice to see a different protagonist with different points of view. So that's a plus. It's a far off future, very space opera, which is also right up my alley, and it involves inter-dimensional space travel and cute little aliens species that will eat you, as they are part of a hive mind. Bringing to mind the old adage, that looks can be deceiving.
All in all, it's a quick, fun read. Nothing too mind bendy or philosophical about it. Which is what I loved about this story. It's a straight up adventure yarn, in space. With a cool protagonist, and an antagonist that is very wicked, and manipulative. Awesome ideas, and fun execution. I definitely liked this book. I'm a slooooooow reader but if you're looking for a quick, fun, light read in science fiction this is a good start. It would be a good introduction into space opera, or even just science-fiction too for anyone interested in trying out the genre without running into too many short hand ideas that don't go into heavy explanations, and concepts that you're just expected to know. A good read and fun enough that I am going to give Mr. Reynolds more of my attentions in future. I'm sure I have some of his short stories in some of my sci-fi anthologies floating around here at home. Still I would love to see what he can do with a longer work, as he did some fun things in this short novella.
This story is a short novella, and it has some interesting characters and features an interesting future run by the mongol empire. The main protagonist, Yellow Dog, is a woman, which is fun as hell and kind of cool as a fan of classic sci-fi I usually tend to run into your typical, know-it-all scientist, white, male. Which is cool, it's never turned me off from reading my classic sci-fi, but it's nice to see a different protagonist with different points of view. So that's a plus. It's a far off future, very space opera, which is also right up my alley, and it involves inter-dimensional space travel and cute little aliens species that will eat you, as they are part of a hive mind. Bringing to mind the old adage, that looks can be deceiving.
All in all, it's a quick, fun read. Nothing too mind bendy or philosophical about it. Which is what I loved about this story. It's a straight up adventure yarn, in space. With a cool protagonist, and an antagonist that is very wicked, and manipulative. Awesome ideas, and fun execution. I definitely liked this book. I'm a slooooooow reader but if you're looking for a quick, fun, light read in science fiction this is a good start. It would be a good introduction into space opera, or even just science-fiction too for anyone interested in trying out the genre without running into too many short hand ideas that don't go into heavy explanations, and concepts that you're just expected to know. A good read and fun enough that I am going to give Mr. Reynolds more of my attentions in future. I'm sure I have some of his short stories in some of my sci-fi anthologies floating around here at home. Still I would love to see what he can do with a longer work, as he did some fun things in this short novella.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2018
When I picked this book up from the library, I was surprised by how small it was - coming in at only 85 pages. Given the scope of the book, it's no surprise that it doesn't really spend enough time with any one part: The characters are interesting at a glimpse, but we don't get much depth; the worldbuilding is interesting, but we don't get much of it; the multiverse concept is interesting, but we see very little of it.
I wanted so much more from the worldbuilding, because, I mean, Mongols in SPAAAAAACE! But this spacefaring civilization, that doesn't have much in the way of planetary terraforming and therefore mostly lives on stations and in domes, has ponies. Why? Because the Mongols had ponies. There was an opportunity to do something neat with Mongols adapting from a pony-based nomadic society into a ship-based one, but instead they cart literal horses around on ships. Beyond that, because of the nature of the main character's work, we get very little on what daily life would be like for the average denizen of this civilisation, despite that being the most interesting part of the story.
The discovery of a multiverse is interesting, but it's been done. The idea of alternate histories being formed around singular events gone differently is interesting, but that's been done too. Without something more, this reads more like an outline or a pitch than a completed story. A story - both what we actually see covered in this book, plus its implied continuation - that could easily be a whole series. Instead of that, we get 85 pages. It just barely whets the appetite, then pulls the meal away at the last second. I'm greedy, and I want more.
I wanted so much more from the worldbuilding, because, I mean, Mongols in SPAAAAAACE! But this spacefaring civilization, that doesn't have much in the way of planetary terraforming and therefore mostly lives on stations and in domes, has ponies. Why? Because the Mongols had ponies. There was an opportunity to do something neat with Mongols adapting from a pony-based nomadic society into a ship-based one, but instead they cart literal horses around on ships. Beyond that, because of the nature of the main character's work, we get very little on what daily life would be like for the average denizen of this civilisation, despite that being the most interesting part of the story.
The discovery of a multiverse is interesting, but it's been done. The idea of alternate histories being formed around singular events gone differently is interesting, but that's been done too. Without something more, this reads more like an outline or a pitch than a completed story. A story - both what we actually see covered in this book, plus its implied continuation - that could easily be a whole series. Instead of that, we get 85 pages. It just barely whets the appetite, then pulls the meal away at the last second. I'm greedy, and I want more.
April 2, 2025
The Six Directions of Space is an outstanding blend of hard sci-fi, alternate history, and cosmic-scale storytelling that showcases Alastair Reynolds at his best. The novella takes a fascinating premise—what if the Mongol Empire never fell and expanded into space?—and turns it into an intricate, mind-expanding exploration of parallel universes and interdimensional travel.
What I loved most about this story is its sheer sense of scale and possibility. Reynolds masterfully weaves together deep space exploration, quantum physics, and alternate history without losing the human element. The protagonist, a spy navigating a vast and mysterious multiverse, is compelling, and the pacing keeps the tension high while still allowing for thoughtful world-building.
The concept of the “brane worlds” and the way civilizations interact across dimensions is both original and brilliantly executed. The ending leaves just enough mystery to linger in the mind, making it a story that sticks with you long after you’ve finished.
Easily a 5/5—smart, imaginative, and deeply engaging. A must-read for fans of big-concept sci-fi done right.
What I loved most about this story is its sheer sense of scale and possibility. Reynolds masterfully weaves together deep space exploration, quantum physics, and alternate history without losing the human element. The protagonist, a spy navigating a vast and mysterious multiverse, is compelling, and the pacing keeps the tension high while still allowing for thoughtful world-building.
The concept of the “brane worlds” and the way civilizations interact across dimensions is both original and brilliantly executed. The ending leaves just enough mystery to linger in the mind, making it a story that sticks with you long after you’ve finished.
Easily a 5/5—smart, imaginative, and deeply engaging. A must-read for fans of big-concept sci-fi done right.
December 26, 2022
A rather concise story set up in alternate reality, where Mongolian Empire has expanded to not only conquer the whole continent, but set up in hundreds of years after Genghis Khan died, covers a vast place in the whole space , too. The storyline is quite simple, and is composed of bashing of mongols with other alternate realities - the one, where Islam dominates the world, the one where Christians do , as well as some, that vastly different from ours (civilization of reptiles). Weak story, that ends with almost nothing, but set up in an interesting world.
P.S Mongols in this book claim to not have the concept of 0 in their mathematics, as the whole idea of 'emptiness' is wild for them. But is it really possible to build cosmic ships and advance the technology without the concept of zero ? I will probably come back somewhere in the future here to add to this open question.
P.S Mongols in this book claim to not have the concept of 0 in their mathematics, as the whole idea of 'emptiness' is wild for them. But is it really possible to build cosmic ships and advance the technology without the concept of zero ? I will probably come back somewhere in the future here to add to this open question.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2023
If I hadn't purchased this used for a fraction of its cover price, I'd have been irked. That's not to say that this is a poor piece of writing per se, just slight. All of Reynolds' strengths are on display here, but in miniature, and while this would not be a fault if this tale were embedded within a collection, why it was published as a stand-alone, hard-cover novella is questionable. This admittedly clever take on the multiverse trope certainly has the feel of a set-up for something more substantial and could have easily formed the first section of a longer work. I'm not sure whether the author followed up with any subsequent related works, but this tidbit leaves the reader hungry for more. And not much else. (Note: This is more of a two-and-a-half star book, but I'm rounding up because I like Reynolds.)
May 11, 2023
Something about it stuck with me, and made me read it a second time, I think it's that the style feels older than it actually is.
The driving motivation for most of the characters in the story is the threat of a cruel, and unpleasant death at the hand of another character. All of the characters always respond by doing whatever craven action is necessary to avoid this. Yet at every point where death seems near they always call out to their closest ally with a variation on the cliché - go on with out me.
note: these space ships have vanes.
The driving motivation for most of the characters in the story is the threat of a cruel, and unpleasant death at the hand of another character. All of the characters always respond by doing whatever craven action is necessary to avoid this. Yet at every point where death seems near they always call out to their closest ally with a variation on the cliché - go on with out me.
note: these space ships have vanes.
February 10, 2018
This was quite a story to fit within 80 or so pages. While it was a good tale, I felt as though pieces were missing. I would have liked to see some more depth to certain scenes and topics. If this had been more around the 160/200 page length it would have been perfect.
3 stars for me is “I liked it”. Not sure I’d read it again as it doesn’t have much of a value a 2nd time around, but it is an enjoyable and very engaging read. I just wish it had been a slightly longer.
3 stars for me is “I liked it”. Not sure I’d read it again as it doesn’t have much of a value a 2nd time around, but it is an enjoyable and very engaging read. I just wish it had been a slightly longer.
April 1, 2023
Alastair Reynolds is so inconsistent. Some of his books are fantastic, some are pretty bad. The differences in style between the good and bad ones make me wonder if the bad ones are earlier writings that were dusted off and offered for sale after he became successful.
This book is one of the not great ones. The story is fair, but the storytelling is uninspired and wandering, the prose is unpleasant, and the characters are flat and uninteresting.
This book is one of the not great ones. The story is fair, but the storytelling is uninspired and wandering, the prose is unpleasant, and the characters are flat and uninteresting.
September 15, 2024
A Novel and Well Executed Concept
This was a fun read. I was quite caught off guard by the true nature of the story but it was unique to me, being unencountered in this implementation and explored with a finesse I’ve now come to expect from Alastair Reynolds. I’ve now got something to deeply consider now that the story has been absorbed, in nearly a single sitting no less. Looking forward to seeing what other short stories this author has, as his novels have been great
This was a fun read. I was quite caught off guard by the true nature of the story but it was unique to me, being unencountered in this implementation and explored with a finesse I’ve now come to expect from Alastair Reynolds. I’ve now got something to deeply consider now that the story has been absorbed, in nearly a single sitting no less. Looking forward to seeing what other short stories this author has, as his novels have been great
June 22, 2025
Written in his inimicable style, this novella was a great read. The story is an intriguing one, based on the initial assumption that the Moguls completely overran Europe and went on to conquer the world. This takes place in space, where it is discovered that there are other timelines.
The only pity I have is that Reynolds has not done a sequel to this book and it leaves up in the air how the characters then proceeded. Maybe, there's one in the works??? I sincerely hope so.
The only pity I have is that Reynolds has not done a sequel to this book and it leaves up in the air how the characters then proceeded. Maybe, there's one in the works??? I sincerely hope so.
June 13, 2018
The Six Directions of Space is a book that continued to impress me. Alastair Reynolds was able to tell the story of a badass female spy and create an entire immersive universe (and mulitiverse) that was constantly intriguing, despite only writing 85 pages. One of my only complaints is that I wished there was more. Excellent work of sci fi.
September 22, 2017
Mongols in space and branching timelines. What isnt to love?
September 28, 2017
Darn, a few more pages would have earned you an extra star.
February 5, 2020
Alternative History Science Fiction...Hi-Sci-Fi? A Pretty good story with some fun conclusions.
Read
August 16, 2020Interesting short story, would have liked to learn more of this multiverse, shame its quite short!
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