Title: House of Suns
Author: Alastair Reynolds
First published April 17, 2008
512 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780575099128 (ISBN10: 0575099127)
Rating: 4.23
Overview
Seven men with shattered memories and shattered lives. One leader with a mission to keep them safe.
Jace wakes up with no recollection of his past, but with a fierce determination to protect his team at all costs. The six other men he leads have been similarly modified, their memories erased by a sadistic captor.
Together, they must keep a dangerous drug out of the wrong hands and evade capture from every global intelligence agency.
Their search for answers leads them to the rugged Colorado wilderness and an unlikely ally in River Lee. As a wilderness guide, River knows the secrets the mountains hold and has found solace in the beauty of the land.
But when Jace enlists her help in finding an abandoned government facility, she’s unwittingly thrust into a world of danger she never imagined existed.
River is drawn to Jace’s troubled nature, and their connection ignites a passion that both of them thought was lost forever. But as they uncover more about Jace’s past, they realize they’re in the crosshairs of a global conspiracy that will stop at nothing to keep their secrets hidden.
With their lives on the line, Jace and River must fight to survive and protect the team that has become their family.
About the Author
Hi there, my name is Al. I used to work as a space scientist, but now I’m a writer. Interestingly enough, these two careers overlapped for a while.
I started writing short stories that were published in the British SF magazine Interzone back in the early 90s. Eventually, I began writing novels.
I try to write at least one book per year, along with a few short stories. Although some of my stories and books take place in a future world named after my first novel, Revelation Space, I like to keep things fresh.
I was born in Wales but grew up in Cornwall. Throughout my life, I’ve lived in the north of England, Scotland, and spent a long time in the Netherlands before returning to Wales.
When I’m not writing, I enjoy running, hill-walking, birdwatching, horse-riding, playing guitar, and building models. I also enjoy painting from time to time.
I met my wife in the Netherlands through our shared love of climbing, and we got married in Wales. Now, we live in a place surrounded by hills, woods, and wildlife, where not much excitement happens.
Editoral Review
House of Suns by Alastair Reynolds is a science fiction novel first published in April 2008. Reynolds is an award-winning author known for his imaginative, intricate, and epic space operas.
House of Suns is one of his most ambitious works, blending hard science fiction with world-building, philosophy, and character-driven storytelling. The plot of the novel revolves around two “shatterlings” – Clavain and Purslane – who belong to a group of clones who have traveled across the galaxy for millions of years, observing and recording the rise and fall of countless civilizations.
They are now returning to the “House of Suns,” a gathering of all shatterlings that takes place every few million years. However, their journey is disrupted when they encounter an unknown and hostile alien race that threatens to destroy all life in the galaxy.
Reynolds creates a rich and complex universe in House of Suns, with an incredible scope that spans millions of years and countless worlds. The author’s attention to detail, scientific accuracy, and vivid imagination create a sense of wonder and awe throughout the book.
The world-building is exceptional, with intricate societies, technologies, and cultures that feel both familiar and alien. The characters in House of Suns are well-developed and compelling, with distinct personalities, motivations, and histories.
The relationship between Clavain and Purslane is the heart of the novel, as they struggle with their feelings for each other and their duty to their clones and the galaxy. The secondary characters are also memorable, each adding depth and nuance to the story.
The themes of the novel are profound and thought-provoking, exploring the nature of identity, mortality, ethics, and love. Reynolds uses his characters’ experiences and dilemmas to raise questions about the meaning of existence and the role of humanity in the universe.
The novel also touches on issues of power, hegemony, and ecology, making it relevant to contemporary debates and concerns. House of Suns is not without flaws, however.
Some readers may find the plot slow-paced or convoluted, as the novel jumps back and forth between different timelines and perspectives. The alien threat, while menacing, could have been more fleshed-out and developed.
There are also moments of excessive exposition or technical jargon that may be off-putting to some readers. Overall, House of Suns is a masterful work of science fiction that showcases Reynolds’ skills as a writer and storyteller.
It is a novel that rewards careful reading and contemplation, with layers of meaning and symbolism that resonate long after the last page. The book is recommended for fans of epic space opera, hard science fiction, or philosophical literature.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
