I have finished the SCI-FI fiction book “The Algebraist” by Iain M. Banks. I was pleased with the way the plot evolved with his usual style for slices back through time to slowly build up a better picture of the current action. A strange sensation grabs me when I slowly realise that a vital chunk of info is just around the corner, which is what Iain Banks is very good at stimulating.
A really gripping read with superb new technology and a cool vibe for the futuristic. As with his past novels I find that Iain Banks lets you fill in the blanks with technology. He is writing for the SCI-FI technologically enlightened, rather than having to force feed lengthy descriptions.
The environment is far future with human types being just one of hundreds of alien races, although this foundation is not the focus but rather the accepted environment. The real focus is on a Seer that delves to meet and greet with the most ancient of races “The Dwellers” which live amongst the high pressure poisonous clouds of Gas Giants. Behind this interesting thread, dealing with creatures that can live to a Billion years in age at maturity, is a much faster moving threat to humanity as a war brews across a series of ancient galactic worm holes.
“All typical space opera stuff”, but Iain Banks is brutal with his characters and one of the classic SCI-FI authors at his best. This is not a culture novel but a must read for Banks fans – Sexy, Violent and original.
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