The Fractal Prince

Hannu Rajaniemi

Book 2 in the series:Jean le Flambeur

Save:

'The Fractal Prince' by Hannu Rajaniemi is a complex and thought-provoking science fiction novel that delves into themes of identity, morality, and advanced technology. The story is set in a post-Singularity Solar System where characters navigate a world filled with intricate concepts and a richly detailed universe. The writing style is described as dense with sci-fi terms that read like magic, creating a mystical and immersive atmosphere for readers.

The plot of 'The Fractal Prince' unfolds through multiple nested stories that contribute to the slightly mystical tone of the book. The author weaves together critical elements from the previous novel, 'The Quantum Thief,' while introducing new concepts that challenge readers to think beyond conventional sci-fi narratives. The book explores themes of identity, morality, and the consequences of advanced technology, pushing the boundaries of the genre with its originality and complexity.

Characters:

Characters vary in depth and clarity, often exhibiting fluid identities and motives that may challenge the reader's engagement.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is intricate and imaginative, employing a rich vocabulary and multiple perspectives, complemented by a fantasy-like narrative structure.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot involves a heist structure interspersed with complex, nested storytelling reminiscent of Arabian Nights, set in a post-apocalyptic society with interwoven realities.

Setting:

The setting is a richly imagined post-cataclysmic Earth infused with elements from Arabian Nights, featuring blurred lines between physical and digital realities.

Pacing:

The pacing is typically fast but dense, requiring careful attention to fully grasp the intricate plot developments and concepts.

She takes one from the bowl in her lap, peels it carefully and holds it between her lips, kissing the sweet moist flesh. When she bites, there is a faint, metallic sigh from the jinn jar that is attac...

Notes:

Hannu Rajaniemi is a Finnish author with a PhD in string theory.

The Fractal Prince is the second book in a trilogy, following The Quantum Thief.

Critics praised The Quantum Thief, but The Fractal Prince received less attention despite being considered better by some reviewers.

The trilogy explores a post-singularity society where humans can upload themselves into digital networks.

Characters can duplicate themselves and choose their physical forms, much like selecting an avatar in a video game.

The novel incorporates elements from Scheherazade and the Arabian Nights, emphasizing storytelling within storytelling.

Rajaniemi's writing is dense with scientific concepts that can be challenging to comprehend for some readers.

The narrative structure often contains layers of stories, reflecting a fractal storytelling style.

Rajaniemi uses a mix of languages and invented terms to enrich the world-building but can create confusion for readers unfamiliar with the jargon.

The Fractal Prince blends high-concept science fiction themes with fairy tale-like elements, making it both imaginative and complex.

The book is described as a heist story set in a richly detailed world reminiscent of ancient Arabia.

Readers reported enjoying the challenge of deciphering the plot while being entertained by the imaginative narrative.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book includes complex themes and dense jargon which may be challenging for readers, but it does not specifically include triggering content.

From The Publisher:

"The good thing is, no one will ever die again. The bad thing is, everyone will want to."

A physicist receives a mysterious paper. The ideas in it are far, far ahead of current thinking and quite, quite terrifying. In a city of "fast ones," shadow players, and jinni, two sisters contemplate a revolution.

And on the edges of reality a thief, helped by a sardonic ship, is trying to break into a Schrödinger box for his patron. In the box is his freedom. Or not.

Jean de Flambeur is back. And he's running out of time.

In The Fractal Prince, Hannu Rajaniemi's sparkling follow-up to the critically acclaimed international sensation The Quantum Thief, he returns to his awe-inspiring vision of the universe…and we discover what the future held for Earth.

Ratings (2)

Incredible (1)
Liked It (1)

Reader Stats (5):

Read It (2)
Want To Read (2)
Not Interested (1)

What can you read after
The Fractal Prince?

About the Author:

Born and raised in Finland, HANNU RAJANIEMI lives in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he is a founding director of a financial consultancy, ThinkTank Maths. He is the holder of several advanced degrees in mathematics and physics. Multilingual from an early age, he writes his science fiction in English. He is the author of The Quantum Thief, The Fractal Prince and The Causal Angel.

Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.