348 da8035cb-7708-4a43-b5bc-79db6afd11b1 Absolution Gap Alastair Reynolds calibre (3.32.0) [https://calibre-ebook.com] 2005-05-30T04:00:00+00:00 <div>Alastair Reynolds continues his Revelation Space series with this “first-rate work of science fiction, a thoroughly modern space opera full of dangers and marvels to match”(SF Site). The Inhibitors were designed to eliminate any life form reaching a certain level of intelligence—and they’ve targeted Humanity. War veteran Clavain and a ragtag group of refugees have fled into hiding. Their leadership is faltering, and their situation is growing more desperate. But their little colony has just received an unexpected visitor: an avenging angel with the power to lead mankind to safety—or draw down its darkest enemy. And as she leads them to an apparently insignificant moon light-years away, it begins to dawn on Clavain and his companions that to beat one enemy, it may be necessary to forge an alliance with something much worse...**<h3>From Publishers Weekly</h3>The final volume in British author Reynolds's SF trilogy that began with Revelation Space (2001) fulfills all the staggering promise of the earlier books, and then some. The world Hela, an airless moon of the gas giant Haldora, is remarkable for two things: relics of the extinct alien race called the scuttlers, and the Quaicheist faith, whose observers (aided by infection with a virus that induces religious fervor) watch Haldora in the hope of viewing one of its mysterious, split-second disappearances. Church records show the disappearances are slowly increasing in frequency and duration. Rumors abound, and arriving pilgrims confirm that Haldora's changing behavior is a sign of the end times. When his indoctrinating virus weakens on occasion, however, Quaicheist founder Horris Quaiche has other ideas—as does young iconoclast Rashmika Els, self-taught scuttler archeologist. Meanwhile, unhappy war veteran Nevil Clavain leaves self-imposed exile on the planet Ararat to help his friend, human-pig hybrid Scorpio, and rejoin the battle against the implacable Inhibitors, "wolf" machines that seek out and destroy star-faring civilizations. From a slow start, Reynolds's plot rapidly builds momentum, hurtling to a stunning conclusion. Cinematic imagery and strong characters ably carry this juggernaut of a story, with Big Ideas strewn about like pebbles on a beach. It's not the best book to introduce Reynolds to those who've never read him, but it's without a doubt a fitting finale to the series, a landmark in hard SF space opera. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. <h3>Review</h3>Praise for *Absolution Gap* “Comparisons to Dune abound...At a time when large-scale SF is flourishing, Absolution Gap is a good as it gets, and should solidify Alastair Reynolds’ reputation as one of the best hard SF writers in the field.”—SF Site “A book of great fascination, rich description, and memorable action.”—*Locus “Reynolds writes a lean and muscular prose where the intense action scenes are leavened with the kind of bright, shining, mind-boggling science talk that characterizes the best of post-modern space opera.”—Science Fiction Weekly “Alastair Reynolds continues his rise to the top of SF...Revelation, Redemption, Absolution...Reynolds provides them all.”—The Guardian* (UK) “Fulfills all the staggering promise of [Reynolds’] earlier books, and then some...a landmark in hard SF space opera.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review) “An entertaining science fiction tale...The story line contains several brilliantly developed concepts...an intriguing look at religion, war, societies, and economics in outer space.”—Midwest Book Review <ul> <li>*</li></ul></div> Ace 9781440678165 B001ODO61G VThfHgpUjrYC eng Fiction Science Fiction Space Opera Alien Contact Military