Tag: Alastair Reynolds

House of Suns

by Alastair Reynolds (Gollancz, 2008); audiobook read by John Lee (Tantor, 2009)

An ambitious, seemingly standalone SF novel tackling unimaginable time- and distance frames through the experiences of human-like ‘shatterlings’ who, having treated the galaxy as their endless playground, come under attack from forces unknown. Surprisingly relatable but culminates in maxed-out cosmic scale blindness.

Century Rain

by Alastair Reynolds (Gollancz, 2004); audiobook read by John Lee (Tantor, 2010)

The two storylines (alternative 1950s Paris detective; far future SF archaeologist) are compelling enough while juxtaposed. Once they conflate, however, the intrigue gives way to a longwinded, slow-moving and ultimately unrewarding exploration of premise, considerably less than the sum of its parts.