Revenger

Somewhat like Pirates of the Caribbean set up in near space, with the Solar System changed beyond recognition, remnants of many epochs of human civilization mingled together, aliens meddling around for the interests of their own, dangers and mysteries everywhere, and a young girl coming of age through what has started as an adventure and ended as a retribution. Thankfully, no romance.

I buy anything Alistair Reynolds writes, and I have never been disappointed. Revenger is a classic, and I and other reviewers hope this is the start of a series. The universe is new, dark, probably millions of years in our future and really interesting reading. There is never a direct description of the setting, but enough evocative passages that my imagination fills in the rest, and I seriously want more stories, not necessarily following the characters of Revengers.
It struck me that the two sisters, Adrana and Arafura, who are the major players here are truly memorable main characters, and it got me thinking about how many of Reynolds really strong characters are women. Going back to the Revelation Space series, Galiana, Skade, Felka, Aura, and my favorite Ana Khouri come to mind. It is rare that an author can portray BOTH male and female characters so well.
Great writing Mr Reynolds. I hope you'll revisit this universe.

Mushy, lacking in clear scale, an absurd final resolution (and some absurd resolutions along the way), some serious narrative misses... I like Reynolds and the book is readable for his skill, but the underlying story can't be saved by his ability to execute as a writer. The main character is featureless, her challenges too easily resolved, her journey uninteresting, her relationships uninvested (except one which hints at beauty but is almost entirely unexplored), and, holy moly, the requisite mcguffin which ended up being exactly what I thought it would be when we received our first hint that All Is Not What It Seems.

I suppose if Revelation Space is Reynolds' mind and Poseidon's Children is his heart, this universe is his appendix. Or, if you prefer, this is a fish out of water tale, but in the gasping, flopping sense as well as the less terminal sense.

I probably won't read the follow-up if there is one in this same setting, though I will always keep my eyes open for new Reynolds.

I love the voices Reynolds gives to each unique character. Writing with this kind of economy, his tactic for drawing you into each character via the authenticity of their voice is efficient and clever. The result is a quick page turner, but compelling enough to be rewarding fun.

Alistair Reynolds is a great contemporary sci-fi author, but this is certainly not one of his best works. I am grateful that it is a standalone novel. I say the author's writing is "Okay" just for this book; typically I would rate him higher. The story itself is pretty good, although preposterous - but hey, the genre is science fiction. And having a teenage heroine is getting awfully tiresome.

Alistair Reynolds is a great contemporary sci-fi author, but this is certainly not one of his best works. I am grateful that it is a standalone novel. I say the author's writing is "Okay" just for this book; typically I would rate him higher. The story itself is pretty good, although preposterous - but hey, the genre is science fiction. And having a teenage heroine is getting awfully tiresome.

What a let down!
After the other books of Alastair Reynolds this gives the impression that it was written by someone else.
I assume that he had bills to pay and was in a hurry.
The world is thin and unconvincing, the plot is predictable and simple, the technology unimpressive.
I love Alastair Reynolds but I was deeply disappointed.

Reminiscent of William Pullman's Golden Compass trilogy. Well crafted "world creation" but I don't really find the created universe personally compelling. I might very well read the next in the series, but I will wait until a budget edition is published.

Alastair has woven a vivid tapestry of vital characters, profound mysteries, and unfathomable enemies. A master at his best. Particular pleasure to be found in captivating female characters of grace, depth, and real grit.