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A review by kaleovens
Revelation Space by Alastair Reynolds
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Reynolds throws lots of ideas at this, and there are some great scenes of scale and awe, the mere scale of the alien forces nearly overwhelming the characters but not defeating them (mostly). And the discipline of not revealing almost anything until the very end is impressive.
But the awe is felt by the reader, not the characters, who are inert, inscrutable, and morose. There are a dozen mysteries that deeply affect the plot that are never addressed. Something is happening to the captain. Something is happening to the ship. Something is happening to cities. Something is happening to a character's mind. Something else is happening to a different character's mind. Then four other characters, too.
Some of it is resolved, but not much.
It's not a bad book, but it is not executed to my interest.
But the awe is felt by the reader, not the characters, who are inert, inscrutable, and morose. There are a dozen mysteries that deeply affect the plot that are never addressed. Something is happening to the captain. Something is happening to the ship. Something is happening to cities. Something is happening to a character's mind. Something else is happening to a different character's mind. Then four other characters, too.
Some of it is resolved, but not much.
It's not a bad book, but it is not executed to my interest.