585 pages
English language
Published Oct. 8, 2002 by Orion Publishing Group.
Revelation Space is a 2000 science fiction novel by Welsh author Alastair Reynolds. It was the first novel (but not published work of fiction) set in Reynolds's eponymous universe. The novel reflects Reynolds's professional background: he has a PhD in astronomy and worked for many years for the European Space Agency. It was short listed for the 2000 BSFA and Arthur C. Clarke Awards.
Old school SF in the way it brings together and treats our motley crew of characters, which means that most don't get the depth they deserve. However, the story, tension and ideas more than make up for this.
ok, where do i begin... with over two thousand reviews and rated at four stars, «revelation space» should be one of the masterpieces one is looking for when combing through one's library's records for their next sci-fi read, right? right? having finished the book, i've looked through reviews to see what people like about this one. every second review stresses that the novel's packed with great ideas on a global scale... why then does «revelation» seems so... bland and difficult to read? great ideas are necessary but not sufficient, one looks for characters to connect to, for a story one wouldn't be able to put down, for writing that would immerse one into the unique atmosphere of that story... well, maybe the «revelation» isn't just my sort of sci-fi.
Having read the previous novel and the novella, I quite enjoyed this one. It feels as though the Universe it is set in, is beginning to expand to bring in new species and systems as well as a new enemy. Hinting that this might also connect to the incidents in the first novel is a nice touch too. I'm looking forward to seeing where things go next.
If you enjoyed the first novel then this one's even better.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It was interesting only for its technology and trippy plot. Pretty much all characters were totally devoid of personality.
