A review by luisvilla
The Algebraist by Iain M. Banks

5.0

Different from the Culture works, but still worth reading, and a universe I wish Banks had explored more. Ultimately the Culture asks the question "what happens when becoming all-powerful encourages you to become proactive" and the Dwellers ask "what happens when becoming all-powerful encourages you to withdraw". Necessarily, in only the one book, this question is not as thoroughly explored as the Culture. But nevertheless fun and occasionally thought provoking.