Should You Read REVELATION SPACE by Alastair Reynolds?

[@DarkStar-os9pv]

I started with Chasm City, having been unaware of Reynolds before its publication. Needless to say, I was an instant fan, and he remains on my short list of "must-read" authors.

[@WordsinTime]

Chasm City is not a bad place to start either. I’m glad you’re a fan!

[@stevejones4431]

Chasm City was dope. My favorite parts were the sequences on the generation ships and especially how that situation ended. It was all pent-up rage, human nature and class warfare, contained in the tiny universe of the flotilla. Also loved the idea of a religious virus that inspires visions, feelings of awe and piety in the people who become infected. That's an interesting idea because we're only now beginning to reach the very edges of understanding when it comes to why certain people are predisposed to belief and others are not, and the underlying mental and chemical factors that influence the behavior. As for the city itself, it's fantastic. I love the idea of the Melding Plague and its dual attack on biological and synthetic matter, and the way it impacted society, with some people ripping out their implants and some going into hermetically sealed palanquins. Great stuff.

[@WordsinTime]

That’s a great description of Chasm City, I enjoyed some of the same elements!

[@francoisbouchart4050]

Great series, and don’t forget “Diamond Dogs, Turquoise Days”, and “Galactic North”. Two books of short stories.

[@WordsinTime]

Yes, I need to check out the short stories as well!

[@stevejones4431]

Diamond Dogs is absolutely diabolic, a brutal story yet you can't help but read on. It's one of my favorites among AR's novellas, along with Troika and Permafrost.

[@drajlic]

The prefect, Elysium fire could easily be read first as they happen at least a few decades before Revelation space and Chasm city, giving us the atmosphere of the glitter band and Chasm city itself at their height, with the soon to be released third book in the Dreyfuss emergencies series should probably explain the origins of the melding plague itself. Also, I think that Diamond dogs and Turquoise days should be read in between Chasm city and Redemption ark.

[@WordsinTime]

I’m looking forward to the prequels and the short stories!

[@stevejones4431]

I like anything Reynolds does, and the Prefect novels are great as detective stories, but I much prefer the decaying, noir-gothic setting of the Rust Belt to Yellowstone's Belle Epoque.

[@stevejones4431]

@@WordsinTime Galactic North, Deep Navigation and Belladonna Nights are all must-reads as far as AR's short story collections go. If you look for Deep Navigation, search for the Kindle version: The original print version was an extremely limited run given to attendees of a convention where AR was the keynote, so those copies are rare and are priced at $100+, but the Kindle version is something like $10. Galactic North is exclusively short stories set in the Revelation Space universe, while the others include some RS but also wide variety of one-off settings and stories in other universes, like House of Suns and the Merlin adventures. Good luck.

[@stevejones4431]

@@WordsinTime Oh, and I should point out that Netflix's Love, Death + Robots adapted two of Reynolds' short stories: Beyond the Aquila Rift and Zima Blue. They're very different in tone and story, but both very good. I think the short stories are better than the adaptations, but the latter are still very much worth watching.

[@LenoxSpartanFitness]

Pushing Ice was very enjoyable! Looking forward to what you think of it

[@WordsinTime]

Awesome, that’s good to hear!

[@elfujo6595]

Loved the series and read all of them. He painted a magnificent world. Strangely it is Scorpio the pig that stuck in my mind. His life is a book in itself. Tragic, scary, evil, caring.

[@WordsinTime]

Scorpio and Clavain were great!

[@clsteele]

Agreed, i absolutely love Scorpio and the development of his character throughout the series!

[@trebleboost7]

Scorpio - absolutely. The best arc and it seems to me Mr. Reynolds kind of realized that as he completed the trilogy.

[@cahalsall]

The short story "Weather" was the one that got stuck in my mind.

[@WordsinTime]

I’ll have to read that one as well!

[@8020Alive]

You are correct about the advice as to not view them as a trilogy. There's forward and backward jumps in times and locations that link them - but don't flow like most readers would expect. Excellent synopsis of the books. Great video!

[@WordsinTime]

That’s much appreciated!

[@RichardBarclay]

I agree, however Ana Khouri is a reoccurring character who has a coherent arc through the 3 books, although not strictly the protagonist in any of the books.

[@8020Alive]

@@RichardBarclay correct 💯 +1

[@Kim_Miller]

My first Reynolds novel was House of Suns and I loved it. He's got a wonderful gift of drip feeding information while at the same time keeping me engaged as a reader. It is about 75% of the way through the book that the phrase house of suns even appears and it doesn't get explained until the final act. There's real skill in keeping the narrative alive in that framework. I followed it up recently with Belladonna Nights, a series of short stories, one of which relates to the House of Suns narrative. Even his short stories have impact. And every time I see one of your videos my TBR list grows - yellow sticky tabs down the front of my desktop computer - I need to read faster or get a bigger computer housing. 🙂

[@WordsinTime]

That’s a great description of House of Suns! And I’m glad I can help add to your TBR and help you keep the yellow sticky tab people in business.

[@trebleboost7]

I was amazed when reading through RS of his ability to 'forshadow' events. You kind of see what's coming but in a very engaging way. I am not aware of another author who can do that as well, at least to my way of thinking.

[@mormengil]

House of sun is definitely a good place to start with AR. Self contained and really good. BUT, I often find that reading an author's later work, which is more evolved in terms of personal style, makes for a poorer experience going back to read their first work. For this reason alone I probably should have started reading Reynolds from revelation space. But no matter, I will definitely pick more of his works including the inhibitor sequence in the future. Fun fact, I rediscovered Reynolds as a name from Love Death and Robots which adapted Zima blue, one of my favourites in that series!

[@WordsinTime]

If you plan to read multiple books from an author then I agree it is often good to start at the beginning!

[@8020Alive]

Never thought 🧐 f that. I often recommend later books to friends who sometimes drop authors when they read earlier works. Good point ☝️ mormengil

[@stevejones4431]

The thing about Revelation Space is, it's all about the mind-blowing ideas and everything else is secondary. Some people don't mind that, and some people hate it. Personally I didn't know how I felt about RS, which was the first AR book I read, then in the weeks after it I kept thinking about the insane ideas in the book and the mood of relentless, oppressive hostility in space, with its many ways of destroying life. I won't spoil anything, but I cannot emphasize enough how fantastic many of the ideas and descriptions are, the kind of thing that makes other SF look pedestrian in comparison. That's what built the buzz around Revelation Space and put AR on the map as a major rising talent.

[@timothybolt565]

I've already read revelation space, really liked it. Appreciate the advice on chasm city. I picked that up at a thrift store for $2 but, wasn't sure where it fit best in the series.

[@WordsinTime]

That’s a good deal, I hope you enjoy Chasm City!

[@bookspin]

Nice video and a good intro to the series. This is one of my favourite series, and this is what got me into Alastair Reynolds in the first place a few years ago. I was very fortunate to meet Alastair earlier this year when he was a guest at a local science fiction event in my city. Very nice fellow. I think you will enjoy Inhibitor Phase for sure - it's a very satisfying sequel. I haven't read House of Suns yet but I definitely intend to!

[@WordsinTime]

That’s awesome that you got to meet Alastair! I hope you also love House of Suns!

[@trebleboost7]

Do it!!! It is great. Yeah Inhibitor Phase was a nice revisit to the series indeed.

[@tgibridays]

Reynolds and specifically, Revelation Space, got me into modern sci-fi right after college. I love the Gothic tone and the crazy and weird technology. I really need to read Eversion and a few of his other works.

[@WordsinTime]

That’s awesome! It does have a great tone. I hope you enjoy his other books too!

[@tgibridays]

@@WordsinTime so far I've enjoyed or loved everything I've read from him, so I'm guessing I'll at least have a good time.

[@stevejones4431]

Likewise, I can't get enough of the noir-gothic tone either. Eversion has a lot of that Reynolds strangeness and at first you have no idea what the hell is happening, but then it starts to come together like so many other Reynolds narratives. Definitely recommended if you're a fan.

[@tgibridays]

@@stevejones4431 I actually just finished reading it a week ago! I loved it!

[@ronweaver4135]

My introduction to Reynolds was Redemption Ark, which I loved. After deciding I should go back and start the story at the beginning I read Revelation Space and was underwhelmed (he definitely got better as he went). Since then I've read Pushing Ice, which was very good, Century Rain, which is the only one of his works I didn't finish, and The Prefect, which was fantastic. But my all-time favorite Reynolds so far, and one of my all-time favorite sf books, is House of Suns. I can't recommend this book enough.

[@WordsinTime]

House of Suns is awesome! I’m glad you also enjoyed Redemption Ark. I’m looking forward to Pushing Ice and The Prefect!

[@thirdmonkeyent_llc]

I totally agree!! I wasn't sure about it until the third act, then I couldn't put it down. I was like, wow. And when they land in Cerberus and see what is being protected. Wow.

[@WordsinTime]

Haha yes the final act is great!

[@JohnG225]

Thank you Sultan of SciFi. I was wondering whether to go Chasm City or Redemption Ark after RS, and now I know :)

[@WordsinTime]

Haha I’m here at your service!

[@BobbyHall-eu1xv]

I read Revelation space years ago and remember thinking it was good and enjoying the ending of it but not having an overwhelming desire to continue, it was more or a, I'll jump back into this at some point kinda thing, which never happened. Having heard from many sources that Reynolds' writing improved massively from his first book I do think I will continue (maybe a reread of book one will be needed) and you have convinced me to go for Chasm City when that happens, thanks!

[@WordsinTime]

I’m glad you enjoyed it! I hope you like Redemption Ark as much as I did!

[@stevejones4431]

His characters in RS were not very sympathetic and hard to relate to, but yes, he has improved massively since then. RS was never about the characters though, it was about the incredible ideas, which are still amazing.

[@Jenko1_]

My only complaint about Revelation space was the character work wasnt the best imo but as the series goes on it gets better and better. Scorpio the pig especially ended up being a stand out character for me.

[@WordsinTime]

I thought Scorpio was great too!

[@Johanna_reads]

Wonderful series review! I’ve never read anything by Alastair Renyolds, but my mind automatically associates his name with intelligent, hard sci-fi. I might have to look into trying Eversion sometime though House of Suns sounds really intriguing as well!

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks Johanna! I think you might enjoy Eversion!

[@Joe-lb8qn]

House of Suns is excellent. Set in a different universe but no worse for that.I dont think Ive read Eversions.

[@trebleboost7]

Man! That is a tough call on what to read first. I was pleasantly surprised by Eversion - especially the intro and build up, and it is very straightforward with hints of his broader universe writing. I am a sucker for 'seafaring' books - spoiled by Patrick O'Brien ultimately. That said, House of Suns is my favorite by a margin and I have been trying to get my oldest son to read it as his first foray into Reynolds, but wow it is bit of smorgasbord LOL.

[@trebleboost7]

Eversion is pretty new. Kind of a Groundhog Day vibe to it. @@Joe-lb8qn

[@MR3DDev]

I disagree. I think reading Chasm City after can be more enjoyable, I am actually reading Chasm City right now that I finished Absolution Gap and it feels like a book full of easter eggs. Its really fun to discover "oh this is why so and so is this way"

[@WordsinTime]

That makes sense. However, the ending of Chasm City is revealed in Redemption Ark, so that might not be the desired order for everyone.

[@MG-bs5mr]

I read Chasm City after Revelation Space and afterwards I thought that Chasm City would make a far better introduction to the literary universe. However you make an interesting point about the Easter eggs. (I'm currently on Absolution Gap so please, no spoilers if you've finished the series 🤣)

[@Belemrys]

I read house of suns in February. I loved it! Definitely want to read this series!

[@WordsinTime]

Awesome! Glad you loved it too!

[@TuftyMcTavish]

It’s been almost a couple of decades since I read these but my scores on the doors were straight 5⭐️ for the main novel and a mere 3⭐️ for Chasm City. I really, Really, REALLY need to get my reread on as I am sure we have talked about in the past 😀

[@WordsinTime]

Haha dang. Chasm City is a bit different. Perhaps you’ll like it more on a re-read!

[@MG-bs5mr]

Ok so I recently finished Peter F Hamilton's Commonwealth Saga duology , Void Trilogy and Fallers duology. I read them chronologically. I've just finished Revelation Space and I've got to say that going back the way to read Chasm City feels a bit strange but I'll give it a go.

[@WordsinTime]

Nice! I’m glad you thought they were worth reading. Hope you enjoy Chasm City!

[@edlittle8831]

I read Chasm City after Revelation Space, then read Redemption Ark and Absolution Gap after. I think Chasm City is my favourite of the 4, and was disappointed with the ending of Absolution Gap. I have read Galactic North, the short Novella - which does feel like a bit of an epilogue of the whole series. I am going to make House of Suns my next read based on your videos!!

[@WordsinTime]

Nice! I will have to check out Galactic North. I hope you enjoy House of Suns!

[@aerialruin8568]

I liked Revelation Space conceptually and plot-wise, but like you said the prose was somewhat lacking as far as characters and dialog go, good to know that improves in later volumes. I own all four books but have not gotten to the others yet, though I have also read a couple of his novellas. Thanks for the video.

[@WordsinTime]

I think it’s worth giving Redemption Ark a try. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

[@dqan7372]

Nice overview. Hadn't realized there was a prequel, so you saved me over-thinking. Just kidding, I'm sure I'll still find myself obsessing about where to start.

[@WordsinTime]

Hahaha

[@kyleteeter7589]

Haven't read the second or third book yet, but you described exactly how I felt with Rev Space. Middle dragged some. But I literally read the last 150 pages in one sitting. I couldn't put it down. The end pretty much blew my mind. But House of Suns was my first Reynolds book, and Rev Space was pretty close to just as good. HoS WAS much more refined writing. Did you know HoS is in the Rev Space universe? If you look at the front of a lot of his books, it's listed in the Rev Space universe. That would be REALLY cool to get a book that ties HoS to Rev Space trilogy.

[@WordsinTime]

I’m glad you enjoyed it in the end! I think it’s worth continuing for the 2nd book. I don’t believe that House of Suns is set in the Revelation Space universe as I’ve checked a few times online. But either way, a crossover would be interesting!

[@kyleteeter7589]

@@WordsinTime that's what I thought. But look in one of your Reynolds books, especially a newer one. And it lists all his books in their categories. And HoS is under the Rev Space world. I had to really make sure I was reading that correctly and he himself in his book says it is. I was really surprised.

[@WordsinTime]

@@kyleteeter7589 That’s cool, I’ll check it out!

[@user-zy2mt3cl1z]

Great series. The world is sterile dialogue is often weak and you don't really care about characters but you read and enjoy anyway. By the way: Amarantin = The Chozo

[@WordsinTime]

I liked it more for the story and ideas, but there were a few interesting character moments. I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@adamcarrell]

I've probably read more Alastair Reynolds novels than any other author. I recommend reading his Revelation Space universe novels in the order they were published. Chasm City is by far the best of his novels in the Revelation Space universe (RSU) in my opinion. I loved all of the chapters set on the generational ships. The only RSU novel I might have liked more than Chasm City was The Prefect. I single out Chasm City as the best because I thought it's multi-layered narrative and self-contained story would make the best on-screen adaptation. Especially as a limited streaming series. The only thing I remember about Redemption Ark is that the Scorpio character was super fun. I would describe him as being a little bit like Rocket from Guardians of the Galaxy if Rocket looked more like Bebob from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. My favorite short story in the RSU was Turquoise Days. But I've also enjoyed his books from outside that universe too: *Pushing Ice was his best character work, but I found the world building to be his most dull. *Terminal World was a lot of fun. It's a steampunk novel set on Mars. *House of Suns feels like it's set in the Revelation Space universe but it's not. But it's a better story than most of his RSU stories. World building is definitely his strength, especially cultural.

[@WordsinTime]

I’m glad you’re a fan and that you enjoyed Chasm City! Scorpio is certainly a memorable character from the series. I’m looking forward to reading Pushing Ice!

[@talkingtoothpick]

I haven't watched this video yet but the answer is Yes

[@WordsinTime]

Agreed 🤝

[@dylanho8608]

Nevil Clavain has got to be one of the best Sci-Fi characters ever written, along with his relationship with Felka. Kinda disappointing that the 3rd book threw that totally off the cliff like Luke Skywalker back tossing the sabre in Last Jedi.

[@WordsinTime]

Yes, that relationship was great!

[@EmyN]

Thanks! I love the straight answers

[@WordsinTime]

You’re welcome, glad it was helpful!

[@maxturgeon89]

Really great review! The only Reynolds I've read is Eversion, which I liked but I didn't find it mind-blowing (i.e. my expectations were a bit too high). But I also own Revelation Space, and it's been staring at me for almost a year now, and your video may be what finally pushes it near the top of the TBR list!

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks Max! I hope you enjoy it, I think the first book pays off towards the end!

[@trebleboost7]

Eversion seemed on the lighter side for me, a little more laid-back tone. I enjoyed it, but I think I am with you.

[@pierstewfik7858]

Purely by accident I read redemption ark first, and was instantly hooked on his work. I read revaluation space after absolution gap. I actually find revelation space to be one of his weakest novels. Chase City is amazing and o would recommend starting with that one. Also house of suns is peak sci fi

[@WordsinTime]

Revelation Space was his first novel. I definitely think he has improved as a writer since then. And I’m glad you also enjoyed House of Suns!

[@readycheddar]

I read Chasm City last and I had no trouble with following it at all. There was just part of the story that seemed a little out of place in Redemption Ark. Though, I did read the entire series in 2006 so my memory of it isn't top notch. I'm reading Inhibitor Phase right now and can't put it down. I love this series.

[@WordsinTime]

That's great! I'm looking forward to Inhibitor Phase!

[@alc6269]

Big Reynolds fan. Also think Blue Remembered Earth deserves a shout out

[@WordsinTime]

Nice! I’ll have to check it out!

[@user-zo9mx5ry6g]

I have read revelation space and shasm city, but I'm obsessed house of suns by Reynolds. I may recommend revelation space for space's opera fans.

[@WordsinTime]

House of Suns is my favourite too!

[@user-zo9mx5ry6g]

@@WordsinTime This one of my favourite books and one of my favourite space operas! Modern space operas have level of classic books about space.

[@bartsbookspace]

Great overview of Revelation Space, a series I have yet to read, but I'm excited about it because House of Suns is one of my all-time favorites! Would it be crazy to read Redemption Ark as the first book? Your high praise for it has me tempted...

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks Bart! You don’t have to read Chasm City but I think Revelation Space is fairly important for providing context for Redemption Ark.

[@bartsbookspace]

@@WordsinTime That makes sense, thank You.

[@samsulh314]

As soon as I’m moved into my new house, I’m reading House of Suns. Can’t wait!

[@WordsinTime]

Congrats on the new house (of suns)!

[@cindywingetbooks]

I own all three books but haven't read them yet. I enjoyed your thoughts on them

[@WordsinTime]

Cheers Cindy! I hope you enjoy them!

[@davistalhone9482]

Great video. Alastair is one of my faves. I would love to hear your opinion of Jason Russell's 224 Verse. It's the only thing I put up there with Reynolds' stuff.

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks! I’ll have to check that out!

[@TexasPelican]

Agreed! Thank you!

[@WordsinTime]

You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it too!

[@ferdman6143]

Great video, tanks! Also loved House of Suns, really have to check out Redemption Arc! I have to admit, I gave up on Reynolds after reading Pushing Ice. Had the flattest characters ever and the grand explosion of Sci-fi ideas in the finale was... not very grand and kind of banal?

[@WordsinTime]

You’re welcome! I’m glad you also loved House of Suns. I own Pushing Ice but haven’t read it yet. Sounds like it was a bit disappointing.

[@khomo12]

Very nice!👍👍👍 I'm sucker for good space opera😊 I have been wondering if l should read this one. I've read pushing ice and really liked that one...

[@WordsinTime]

Awesome! I’m looking forward to Pushing Ice!

[@curtjarrell9710]

No plans to read Reynolds, but I have just begun 3001: The Final Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke, and like it so far.

[@WordsinTime]

That’s cool, I loved 2001 so I hope you enjoy 3001 as well!

[@bjornh4664]

There are elements in Revelation Space that inspired the Mass Effect games. Fans of ME should know that Reynolds' is far crunchier and bizarre. Pushing Ice is a great story, with some mindboggling scenes that will blow your mind.

[@WordsinTime]

That’s good to know. Looking forward to Pushing Ice!

[@FirstRisingSouI]

My first Reynolds book was House of Suns. Great imaginative space opera, but it felt like the plot forgot itself, so that the book I finished was different from the book I began. Later, I tried Revelation Space, but couldn't get into it. Maybe I should try again sometime.

[@WordsinTime]

I liked the ending of House of Suns but it does go in some different directions.

[@clsteele]

I do love the RS universe, i've lost count of the number of times i've reread/listened to these books. Have you read any of the Inspector Dreyfus novels set on Yellowstone? Rather different from the main arc but i found them really enjoyable.. plus he has the 3rd book coming out in a few months!

[@WordsinTime]

I’m glad you love the series! I haven’t read those particular books but I will try them in the future!

[@trebleboost7]

So glad to hear about a 3rd book! I actually kind of liked Elysium Fire better than the Prefect. Yet, I can't seem to remember the plot LOL. I was not a total fan of the Glitter Band concept overall, but yet I love this author so much I will read everything.

[@Mocha69A]

All ready read and and all before and after

[@WordsinTime]

True Reynolds fan! 💪

[@TheRealPaulMarshall]

Having watched none of the video as yet, I gotta say this: Way to break Betteridge's law of headlines.

[@WordsinTime]

Uh oh, haha

[@Kim_Miller]

So now I know what Betteridge's law of headlines is. Today's fun fact. :)

[@harryl2232]

I saw a first edition first print rev space, might go back and splash a bit of cash if it’s still there

[@WordsinTime]

Ooohhh that’s a nice find!

[@kyleteeter7589]

Are you going to read Inhibitor Phase? I read Rev Space. And now my dad is reading it. And we're going to read Redemption Ark together. So I'm reading Inhibitor Phase while waiting on him to finish Rev Space.

[@WordsinTime]

That’s awesome that you and your dad are reading the series together! I will read Inhibitor Phase but probably not this year. I’m looking forward to more Reynolds!

[@kyleteeter7589]

@@WordsinTime awesome! Love the channel. Thanks for the responses!

[@WordsinTime]

@@kyleteeter7589 Cheers Kyle, glad to have you as part of the channel!

[@AlojzyZyrokompas]

Amazing series, although my favorite work of his is standalone House of Suns.

[@WordsinTime]

Yes! I LOVE House of Suns!

[@matthewbeaty4344]

For me Pandora's star had wayyyy to much fat in it. Not enough small payoffs along the way. EoS could have cut Cat entirely and I would have been ok with it but otherwise love that series. Haven't read the other two.

[@WordsinTime]

Pandora’s Star definitely could have been trimmed, and I liked the Cat scenes but I understand why it could possible have been cut.

[@johnd.3652]

Thanks for the video.

[@WordsinTime]

You’re welcome!

[@thatfuzzypotato1877]

A friend gave me Chasm City and I had several issues with it. (Here there be spoilers) . . . I didn't really like the MC. I can get over this, but it was just one issue of several. I get exhausted quickly with the "I am an amazing badass and here's why". A character of questionable morals can very much so be likable, I think of the AI military bot from the SpatteryJay Trilogy and I loved that asshole to bits. But Chasm City felt like a 300 page book stretched well beyond its limits. The whole "most dangerous game" interlude felt like 100% unnecessary filler. But maybe if I read this book after the series not before I'd have a different opinion. Now the ending saved this book for me. That was a fantastic ending. And it's why I think I want to dabble more into Reynolds despite my distaste for this specific book.

[@WordsinTime]

That’s understandable. I didn’t find the characters likable, but I did like how things came together in the end.

[@dalejones4322]

Great video Jonathan. There are two books I've read that are considered hard sci-fi, The Three Body Problem and Diaspora. The Three Body Problem trilogy seemed to be at my limit and Diaspora was way over it. How hard would you say Revelations Space is? Harder than The Three Body Problem trilogy? Thanks

[@WordsinTime]

Cheers Dale! I think you might enjoy this series. I would put it around a 7/10 on the sci-fi hardness scale. I wouldn’t say it’s harder than the The Three-Body Problem (and it’s a little more character-focused) and I would say it’s definitely less hard than Permutation City by Greg Egan. Hope you like it!

[@dalejones4322]

@@WordsinTime thank you

[@kyleteeter7589]

I've read Rev Space and Three Body Problem. I would say Rev Space is easier concepts to understand. It's people in a futuristic universe, and characters doing things. TBP was much more of an underlying theme in the background waiting to be solved, that some people might have a hard time conceptualizing. And it didn't take place in space. It moves there later in the series, but not in the first book. I would say Rev Space is easier and more just of a fun, space-opera read. If you really want fun space-opera, you need to read Hyperion. My favorite sci fi series. It's all worth it for....THE SHRIKE!! But TBP was written all to ask a question and talk about a theory of the Fermi Paradox. Rev Space is more just a fun story without having this big question it's asking. Now if you really like the books that are asking a much bigger question about life and reality, read Blindsight by Peter Watts. But if you're new to sci-fi, you might have trouble with it. I'm a seasoned Sci-fi reader and I had trouble, but it was still really good. A shop of weirdos lead by a vampire and an AI captain make first contact with aliens. That's what it's about. Haha.

[@dalejones4322]

@@kyleteeter7589 thank you. I've read the Hyperion cantos and it is definitely my favorite series as well and Revelation Space is definitely in my future reads.

[@kyleteeter7589]

@@dalejones4322 awesome. If you got through the whole Hyperion Cantos, then that pretty much seasons you as a sci-fi reader right there. Haha. You'll be fine with Rev Space and House of Suns. I would actually say do House of Suns as your first Reynolds book. It's more refined and he tells stories in a unique way and doesn't baby you, so House of Suns will familiarize you with how he writes. I would say she of the concepts and sci-fi tropes in Rev Space are harder to understand than HoS, so I think HoS is a good warm-up for the rest of his stuff. Plus, its considered his best book.

[@thefisherking78]

So. Apparently the 4 books are all free on Audible (for subscribers)

[@WordsinTime]

Very cool! Definitely worth a try for Audible subscribers!

[@thefisherking78]

@@WordsinTime I started it and 10 minutes in I'm hooked! Such a intriguing concept

[@larspolten]

ja, auf deutsch, es ist eine der genialsten und schönsten SciFi-Reihen, die es gibt.

[@WordsinTime]

I’m glad you also enjoyed it!

[@larspolten]

@@WordsinTime ich muss gestehen, ich habe alle deutschen Ausgaben 💓

[@olavnordstoga4774]

The answer is "yes"

[@WordsinTime]

🫡

[@rw5069]

Have you read The Algebraist by Iain Banks?

[@WordsinTime]

I’ve read 4 books Banks, but I haven’t read The Algebraist.

[@rw5069]

@@WordsinTime In my view one of his best. Standalone. Higly recommended

[@travisporco]

it's brilliant, but the ending is an absurd letdown...he just phoned it in.

[@WordsinTime]

I liked some of the ideas at the end but the way the plot was concluded wasn’t the most satisfying.

[@cmdrvernondingo1540]

Totaly agree about the ending - felt like he rushed it out to meet a deadline

[@Shads62]

Is this really hard Sci Fi? Have you never read Baxter?

[@WordsinTime]

This is medium to hard sci-fi. I have read Ring by Stephen Baxter and I would say Baxter is harder than Reynolds.

[@caffeinepuppy]

There’s really only two ways I’ve ever been disappointed by Reynolds: Fantastic books that will make you angry about the lack of a sequel, and boring stories that bog down amazing worldbuilding. Fortunately, the main revelation space books (including Chasm City) are neither.

[@WordsinTime]

Agreed! I’m looking forward to more!

[@DuckRon626]

I read Revelation Space. That's all that I got out of it. To say the least, I was hugely disappointed. Had reard/read that it was a classic. Question: Classic what? Couldn't relate to the characters or the story. Don't think I'll be reading anymore Alastair Reynolds if this is one of his best. Very disappointed.

[@WordsinTime]

That’s okay, it might not work for everyone especially if you reading for characters. Although I do think the character work gets a little bit better in Redemption Ark.

[@malcolmdude]

I really liked House of Suns, liked Eversion but DNFed Revelation Space. Slow, characters were unlikable and not enough interesting ideas. I just need one of those things to keep interest! Eg. I loved three body problem etc, even though the characters were meh but the ideas were amazing.

[@fernbedek6302]

I’ve sadly never gotten my hands on Redemption Arc, which does sound like it’s the best in the trilogy(+?). (I’ve read the other four, though.)

[@WordsinTime]

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

[@lukeb.perrett8036]

its my fav sci fi series!

[@WordsinTime]

I’m glad you enjoyed it! It’s pretty awesome!

[@Amadeus451]

The Expanse is a pale shadow of the Revelation Space series. But looking back after reading Inhibitor Phase and the other RS novels, Expanse has definitely lost a lot of it's shine. So go read these books, ya nerd!

[@WordsinTime]

I like both series, but Revelation Space is on another level!

[@KingCrusoe]

And you recommended House of Suns to me first? When you say here, for EXPERIENCED sci-fi readers?? You monster! XD

[@WordsinTime]

I hadn’t finished this series yet. Also, all rules go out the window when it comes to 10/10 books!

[@KingCrusoe]

@@WordsinTime lmaoo touché! 😆