Oh, I love Iain Banks.
He consistently manages to create books which are compelling, complex and challenging while remaining action-filled, exciting and even humorous.
This is the latest of his Culture novels (the ninth, if I'm correct). As with most of the books, it works as a stand-alone, with only a few tie-ins to other books for the pleasure of the devoted reader.
This novel entwines the story of Lededje Y'Breq, a woman seeking revenge against her former master and abuser, with the story of an interstellar conflict over the right to maintain virtual "hells" in which the preserved consciousnesses of the deceased are tormented.
As the topics imply, there's in-depth exploration of questions of ethics, all wrapped in a kick-ass story with plenty of space battles, virtual conflicts and grisly, violent action.
He consistently manages to create books which are compelling, complex and challenging while remaining action-filled, exciting and even humorous.
This is the latest of his Culture novels (the ninth, if I'm correct). As with most of the books, it works as a stand-alone, with only a few tie-ins to other books for the pleasure of the devoted reader.
This novel entwines the story of Lededje Y'Breq, a woman seeking revenge against her former master and abuser, with the story of an interstellar conflict over the right to maintain virtual "hells" in which the preserved consciousnesses of the deceased are tormented.
As the topics imply, there's in-depth exploration of questions of ethics, all wrapped in a kick-ass story with plenty of space battles, virtual conflicts and grisly, violent action.
I'll admit it. I'm easily influenced. This time I lay the blame at the feet of Charlie Stross.
Anyway, I snagged this one as a present to myself and I enjoyed it immensely. The book bounces between several viewpoints - Vatueil, a soldier in the War in Heaven over the fate of the virtual hells, Lededje Y'breq - a indentured sex-slave who is murdered and reincarnated (its complex) and Yime, an agent of the Cutlure's Contact service, Quietus Branch (they deal with the virtually incarnated dead people). Trust me - this all makes sense as it goes along.
So, was it good? Yes. Not as good as Use of Weapons or Consider Phlebas, but still pretty darn good. As usual Banks has tons of mad, brilliant ideas and does interesting things with them.
Anyway, I snagged this one as a present to myself and I enjoyed it immensely. The book bounces between several viewpoints - Vatueil, a soldier in the War in Heaven over the fate of the virtual hells, Lededje Y'breq - a indentured sex-slave who is murdered and reincarnated (its complex) and Yime, an agent of the Cutlure's Contact service, Quietus Branch (they deal with the virtually incarnated dead people). Trust me - this all makes sense as it goes along.
So, was it good? Yes. Not as good as Use of Weapons or Consider Phlebas, but still pretty darn good. As usual Banks has tons of mad, brilliant ideas and does interesting things with them.
