Helpful Score: 3
"Iron Sunrise" is an excellent follow-on to "Singularity Sky" that comfortably stands on its own. In simplistic terms, Stross has written punk girl vs. nazis in space. But that fails to do justice to the delectable paradox-ridden nuances of a post-technological singularity universe.
Helpful Score: 1
I'd just re-read Singularity Sky for a book club and decided to chase it with this.
Stacked up against Singualrity Sky its a better novel.
Yeah, not everything is neatly tied up in a bow, but I liked the characterization of Frank and Wednesday (hell, I even liked Svengali). Martin and Rachel put in appearances, but well, they're more there to provide exposition and move the plot along than anything else.
Now, as to the lack of a neat ending, I think that marks it a better piece of fiction than most. Besides, it makes me want more.
Stacked up against Singualrity Sky its a better novel.
Yeah, not everything is neatly tied up in a bow, but I liked the characterization of Frank and Wednesday (hell, I even liked Svengali). Martin and Rachel put in appearances, but well, they're more there to provide exposition and move the plot along than anything else.
Now, as to the lack of a neat ending, I think that marks it a better piece of fiction than most. Besides, it makes me want more.
Helpful Score: 1
The second book in Stross's Eschaton universe, The Iron Sunrise is a fun sort of who-dun-it spy thriller in space.
Ultimately, this book was quite enjoyable, and hard to put down in the final few hundred pages. The title "iron sunrise" is an interesting weaponized nova generator; but is only part of the backdrop of the bulk of the story. It took me a while to figure out who everybody was; (there was some confusion between Frank and Franz in my mind), but once I finally started reading the book in big chunks rather than 10 minutes here or there, the characters started to gel better. (I guess I really like having "cast of characters" pages --- it really helps those readers (like me) who sometimes have to put a book down for a while).
There were a number of unanswered questions left by the book; my impression is that Stross is not finished exploring this universe, and has left himself some room for more stories.
Ultimately, this book was quite enjoyable, and hard to put down in the final few hundred pages. The title "iron sunrise" is an interesting weaponized nova generator; but is only part of the backdrop of the bulk of the story. It took me a while to figure out who everybody was; (there was some confusion between Frank and Franz in my mind), but once I finally started reading the book in big chunks rather than 10 minutes here or there, the characters started to gel better. (I guess I really like having "cast of characters" pages --- it really helps those readers (like me) who sometimes have to put a book down for a while).
There were a number of unanswered questions left by the book; my impression is that Stross is not finished exploring this universe, and has left himself some room for more stories.
Helpful Score: 1
a great book. multiple threads handled well. a murder mystery and the world is described very well.
a great story for those who like thrillers, space based sci fi and truly intelligent speculative fiction
a great story for those who like thrillers, space based sci fi and truly intelligent speculative fiction
