Meet New Books
Book Cover

Terminal World

Save:
Find on Amazon

Terminal World by Alastair Reynolds is a standalone story that draws on the steampunk genre without fully embracing it. The novel is set in a world divided into zones of different technological advancements, allowing for a mix of science fiction subgenres and characters. The protagonist, Dr. Quillon, starts off as an intriguing character but gradually loses appeal as the story progresses, leading to some mixed opinions among readers.

Characters:

Characters vary in depth; while some are compelling, many are criticized for being one-dimensional or lacking depth.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is imaginative and atmospheric, incorporating elements of steampunk adventure, though some passages may feel repetitive.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around Quillion's escape from a technologically stratified world, exploring various zones with differing levels of technology.

Setting:

The setting features a unique world divided into zones of technological disparity, possibly set on a dying Earth or terraformed Mars.

Pacing:

The pacing starts strong but tends to lose momentum later, creating a mix of engaging and dull moments.
The call came in to the Department of Hygiene and Public Works just before five in the afternoon. Something messy down on the ledge, maybe a faller from one of the overhanging buildings up in Fourth, ...

Notes:

Alastair Reynolds' Terminal World diverges from his usual hard sci-fi, borrowing elements from steampunk and incorporating settings reminiscent of Mad Max.
The story revolves around Quillion, a fallen angel navigating a future Earth with varying zones of technological capabilities.
The world features a spiral city called Spearpoint, where technology ranges from advanced nanotech at the top to horse-drawn carriages at the bottom.
Humans experience discomfort when crossing between technology zones, sometimes requiring drugs for adaptation.
The narrative explores themes of stratification and social inequality, depicting a society divided by technology's availability.
Terminal World includes a complex blend of characters, including airship captains, cyborgs, and dangerous factions like the Skullboys and Vorgs.
The plot hints that the setting might actually be a terraformed Mars, despite being referred to as Earth.
Fans note the novel lacks depth in character development and world-building compared to Reynolds' other works.
Some critics highlight the intriguing concept of a holographic universe affecting technology but feel it was underexplored in the story.
Readers find the balance between action-packed scenes and moral quandaries adds depth to the narrative.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book includes themes of violence, dystopian elements, and some unsettling imagery, which may warrant a medium content warning.

From The Publisher:

Alastair Reynolds revolutionized the science fiction genre with his critically-acclaimed Revelation Space novels. Now, the award-winning author presents a future of technological wonders-from every era…

In a far-distant future, Spearpoint, the last human city, is a vast, atmosphere-piercing spire. Clinging to its skin are the zones: semiautonomous city-states, each of which enjoys a different-and rigidly enforced-level of technology.

Following a botched infiltration mission, enforcement agent Quillon has been living incognito, working as a pathologist in a morgue. But when a near-dead angel drops onto his dissection table, his world is wrenched apart.

For the angel is a winged posthuman from Spearpoint's Celestial Levels. And with the dying body comes bad news: Quillon must leave his home and travel into the cold and hostile lands beyond Spearpoint's base. But he can neither imagine how far the journey will take him-nor comprehend how much is at stake…

Ratings (5)

Incredible (1)
Loved It (1)
Liked It (1)
It Was OK (2)

Reader Stats (7):

Read It (6)
Want To Read (1)

1 comment(s)

It Was OK
1 month

This was only okay - it was enjoyable enough to finish, but ti was also a struggle, because I could not care about a single character in this thing. If I should have felt emotion or compassion, then the author failed to deliver, because each person had a purpose, but who cares?

The concept is what made me continue, and the world building, which was intriguing, but the characters were so flat and boring and lifeless, that I could not care less. When one died, I did not even think that it was a bad thing.

I am going to have to say "No' to future Alistair Reynolds books at this time.

 

About the Author:

Alastair Reynolds is the author of the Poseidon's Children series and the Revelation Space series. Born in Barry, South Wales, he studied at Newcastle University and the University of St. Andrews. A former astrophysicist for the European Space Agency, he now…

 
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.