Alastair Reynolds is the author of the Poseidon's Children series and the Revelation Space series. Born in Barry, South Wales, he studied at Newcastle University and the University of St. Andrews. A former astrophysicist for the European Space Agency, he now writes full-time.
Praise for Absolution Gap "Comparisons to Dune abound...At a time
when large-scale SF is flourishing, Absolution Gap is a good as it
gets, and should solidify Alastair Reynolds' reputation as one of
the best hard SF writers in the field."--SF Site "A book of great
fascination, rich description, and memorable action."--Locus
"Reynolds writes a lean and muscular prose where the intense action
scenes are leavened with the kind of bright, shining, mind-boggling
science talk that characterizes the best of post-modern space
opera."--Science Fiction Weekly "Alastair Reynolds continues his
rise to the top of SF...Revelation, Redemption,
Absolution...Reynolds provides them all."--The Guardian (UK)
"Fulfills all the staggering promise of [Reynolds'] earlier books,
and then some...a landmark in hard SF space opera."--Publishers
Weekly (starred review) "An entertaining science fiction tale...The
story line contains several brilliantly developed concepts...an
intriguing look at religion, war, societies, and economics in outer
space."--Midwest Book Review
The final volume in British author Reynolds's SF trilogy that began with Revelation Space (2001) fulfills all the staggering promise of the earlier books, and then some. The world Hela, an airless moon of the gas giant Haldora, is remarkable for two things: relics of the extinct alien race called the scuttlers, and the Quaicheist faith, whose observers (aided by infection with a virus that induces religious fervor) watch Haldora in the hope of viewing one of its mysterious, split-second disappearances. Church records show the disappearances are slowly increasing in frequency and duration. Rumors abound, and arriving pilgrims confirm that Haldora's changing behavior is a sign of the end times. When his indoctrinating virus weakens on occasion, however, Quaicheist founder Horris Quaiche has other ideas-as does young iconoclast Rashmika Els, self-taught scuttler archeologist. Meanwhile, unhappy war veteran Nevil Clavain leaves self-imposed exile on the planet Ararat to help his friend, human-pig hybrid Scorpio, and rejoin the battle against the implacable Inhibitors, "wolf" machines that seek out and destroy star-faring civilizations. From a slow start, Reynolds's plot rapidly builds momentum, hurtling to a stunning conclusion. Cinematic imagery and strong characters ably carry this juggernaut of a story, with Big Ideas strewn about like pebbles on a beach. It's not the best book to introduce Reynolds to those who've never read him, but it's without a doubt a fitting finale to the series, a landmark in hard SF space opera. Roebert Kirby at Peters, Fraser and Dunlop. (June 1) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
Praise for Absolution Gap
"Comparisons to Dune abound...At a time when large-scale
SF is flourishing, Absolution Gap is a good as it gets, and should
solidify Alastair Reynolds' reputation as one of the best hard SF
writers in the field."--SF Site "A book of great fascination, rich
description, and memorable action."--Locus "Reynolds writes a lean
and muscular prose where the intense action scenes are leavened
with the kind of bright, shining, mind-boggling science talk that
characterizes the best of post-modern space opera."--Science
Fiction Weekly "Alastair Reynolds continues his rise to the top of
SF...Revelation, Redemption, Absolution...Reynolds provides them
all."--The Guardian (UK) "Fulfills all the staggering promise of
[Reynolds'] earlier books, and then some...a landmark in hard SF
space opera."--Publishers Weekly (starred review) "An entertaining
science fiction tale...The story line contains several brilliantly
developed concepts...an intriguing look at religion, war,
societies, and economics in outer space."--Midwest Book Review
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