"Singularity Sky" by Charles Stross
I've decided to start writing reviews of books I read. We'll see how long I keep it up. Rest assured that this one, and all others, are major-spoiler-free unless noted otherwise (and cut).
I recently finished "Singularity Sky" by Charles Stross. Stross is heralded as an up-and-coming author in the sci-fi world. After reading this book, I see why. Stross is visionary. His ideas, ranging from technological to societal, are peanut butter for your brain: good stuff. Instant communication enabled through entangled quantum particles. A space-faring, wandering construct, feasting on the information--from myths to philosophies--provided by newly-found worlds. Warships manipulating their own personal black hole to propel themselves through space. And, oh yeah, the Eschaton, a pseudo deity abruptly inserted into Earth's timeline whose only interaction is to destroy those attempting to use CVD's, or causality-violating devices. Do you see what I mean?
Unfortunately, the sweet little sci-fi nuggets of these ideas aren't surrounded by anything too compelling. I often found myself confused about the setting or characters. (Wait a sec, who is that guy?) The machinations of some of the bad guys seemed a little bit hollow. I get the impression Stross is madly typing his story out, rushing to get all his brilliant ideas out, but not spending enough time proofreading to ensure such tedious details as pacing, characterization, and setting are done properly.
I am hopeful that, as Stross matures as a writer, his talent for ideas will not be burdened with so-so writing.
I recently finished "Singularity Sky" by Charles Stross. Stross is heralded as an up-and-coming author in the sci-fi world. After reading this book, I see why. Stross is visionary. His ideas, ranging from technological to societal, are peanut butter for your brain: good stuff. Instant communication enabled through entangled quantum particles. A space-faring, wandering construct, feasting on the information--from myths to philosophies--provided by newly-found worlds. Warships manipulating their own personal black hole to propel themselves through space. And, oh yeah, the Eschaton, a pseudo deity abruptly inserted into Earth's timeline whose only interaction is to destroy those attempting to use CVD's, or causality-violating devices. Do you see what I mean?
Unfortunately, the sweet little sci-fi nuggets of these ideas aren't surrounded by anything too compelling. I often found myself confused about the setting or characters. (Wait a sec, who is that guy?) The machinations of some of the bad guys seemed a little bit hollow. I get the impression Stross is madly typing his story out, rushing to get all his brilliant ideas out, but not spending enough time proofreading to ensure such tedious details as pacing, characterization, and setting are done properly.
I am hopeful that, as Stross matures as a writer, his talent for ideas will not be burdened with so-so writing.