Series: Revelation Space, by Alastair Reynolds

[Jamie]

I'm reading this series this season, and since someone else in here wants to buddy read it with me, and I can't find an existing thread in this group for the series...

Books in series order- main trilogy:
Revelation Space
Redemption Ark
Absolution Gap

The Revelation Space universe is a fictional universe which was created by Alastair Reynolds and used as the setting for a number of his novels and stories. Its fictional history follows the human species through various conflicts from the relatively near future (roughly 2200) to approximately AD 40000 (all the novels to date are set between 2427 and 2727, although certain stories extend beyond this period). It takes its name from Revelation Space, which was the first published novel set in the universe.

The main trilogy (also known as the Inhibitor trilogy) consists of 1) Revelation Space, 2) Redemption Ark and 3) Absolution Gap, and deals with humanity coming to the attention of the inhibitors and the resultant war between them.

Reynolds says of the reading order: "Of my books to date, five are set in the same universe. The reading order isn’t that critical, in my view, but it probably improves things to read REVELATION SPACE, REDEMPTION ARK and ABSOLUTION GAP in that sequence. The other related books, CHASM CITY and THE PREFECT, as well as the collections DIAMOND DOGS, TURQUOISE DAYS and GALACTIC NORTH, can be read at any point (or in fact, not read at all)."

[Jamie]

I read Chasm City a few years ago, and finished Revelation Space earlier this year. I am now listening to Redemption Ark, as a library audiobook (so I can crochet while 'reading'; I also do have the print book, if I need it.)
I remember that it took seemingly forever to get to the good stuff in Chasm City, but it was good once everything started coming together. It took me a few chapters of Redemption Ark to remember anything of Revelation Space, too.

(view spoiler)[So far the universe in this series and that in the McDevitt Academy series seem a bit similar, with ominous ancient, distant alien races who can and might destroy human life completely. (hide spoiler)]

[Stephen]

I’ve read and enjoyed Revelation Space and, a year or two later, Chasm City. I liked the latter better. A rich, interesting book in my opinion. Some years earlier I had read and liked The Prefect, my first Reynolds book, which has since been rereleased as Aurora Rising. It now has a sequel, Elysium Fire, which didn’t please me quite as much., not sure why. Next up for me in the series will be Redemption Ark, but it may be a while; it’s thick and I have other things planned. I think Reynolds is always worth reading, but there’s a lot of his relatively early work that I haven’t gotten around to.

[Raucous]

Stephen wrote: "... Some years earlier I had read and liked The Prefect, my first Reynolds book, which has since been rereleased as Aurora Rising. It now has a sequel, Elysium Fire, which didn’t please me quite as much., not sure why. ..."

Elysium Fire seemed to me to be from the “smart people doing dumb things” sub-genre. That's never had much appeal and so it was a disappointment - especially when compared to The Prefect.

[Eva]

Thank you for creating a thread, Jamie! At the moment, I'm working on finishing Pachinko, but Redemption Ark is up next and I'll try to catch up with your progress. I read Revelation Space a while ago and really liked it, but my favorite Reynolds book so far is House of Suns, which is just awesome.

[Raucous]

Eva wrote: "... but my favorite Reynolds book so far is House of Suns, which is just awesome."

That's my favorite as well. There's so much fascinating stuff going on in House of Suns and it's on a truly epic stage.

[AndrewP]

Finishing this trilogy is one of my goals for 2022 and I just started Absolution Gap. Will follow along with this thread though to see what others think.

[Chris]

I enjoyed House of Suns and Pushing Ice, but I was disappointed by Revelation Space. It was too long, and I didn't like the characters. My library has the second book, so I may continue, but I'm not in a hurry to pick it up. Maybe knowing that others are reading the series will motivate me.

[MadProfessah]

I’m a huge fan of Reynolds and have read almost everything he’s written. I’ve been saving INHIBITOR PHASE for my next vacation.

My favorite book of his is probably CHASM CITY.
I also really like THE PREFECT (now called AURORA RISING) mostly because I am a sucker for SF-mystery mashups.

I would also recommend his POSEIDONS CHILDREN trilogy that begins with BLUE REMEMBERED EARTH

[Eva]

I'm looking forward to reading them all!

Right now I've read 10% of Redemption Ark, and I'm already incredibly fascinated by the very cool world, the telepathic Conjoiners, the Demarchists with their infectious "propaganda dreams", and the scary cubes. It's all just so cool.

[Eva]

Question about Redemption Ark that is spoiler-y for the 1st book:

(view spoiler)[They mention the Triumvir's crimes, but I can't remember what she did that made her a wanted person nor what happened to her at the end of book 1. Could you guys please bring me up to speed again? (hide spoiler)]