Title: The Fractal Prince
Author: Hannu Rajaniemi
First published September 1, 2012
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 4.04
Overview
“The world as we know it has changed forever. Death is no longer a certainty, but a choice.
The Fractal Prince brings to light a mysterious paper that could alter the course of humanity forever. In a city where the lines between reality and illusion are blurred, two sisters fight for their beliefs and a thief risks everything to break into a Schrödinger box for his freedom.
Meanwhile, Jean de Flambeur races against time to save humanity from the dangers of advanced technology. Hannu Rajaniemi’s The Fractal Prince is a thrilling follow-up to The Quantum Thief, immersing readers in a world of unparalleled imagination and possibility.”
About the Author
Hannu Rajaniemi is a talented author who writes captivating science fiction and fantasy books in both Finnish and English. He currently resides in Edinburgh, Scotland, and is also a founding director of a technology consultancy firm called ThinkTank Maths.
Rajaniemi’s journey began in Ylivieska, Finland, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from the University of Oulu. He then went on to receive a Certificate of Advanced Study in Mathematics from the University of Cambridge and a Ph.D. in Mathematical Physics from the University of Edinburgh.
Before starting his Ph.D., he served his national service as a research scientist for the Finnish Defence Forces.
While pursuing his Ph.D. in Edinburgh, Rajaniemi joined a writers’ group called Writers’ Bloc that organizes spoken word performances. He gained recognition for his work, including his first published short story in 2003 and his short story in the Scottish science fiction and fantasy anthology Nova Scotia in 2005, which caught the attention of his current literary agent, John Jarrold.
In October 2008, Rajaniemi made headlines when his literary agent, John Jarrold, secured a three-book deal for him with Gollancz based on only twenty-four double-spaced pages. His debut novel, The Quantum Thief, was published in September 2010 by Gollancz in Britain and in May 2011 by Tor Books in the U.S. He followed up with a sequel, The Fractal Prince, published in September 2012 by Gollancz and in November 2012 by Tor.
Rajaniemi’s work has garnered critical acclaim, and his future in the literary world looks bright. In Finland, his debut novel is set to be published by Gummerus.
Editoral Review
Hannu Rajaniemi’s The Fractal Prince is a mind-bending sci-fi thriller that explores themes of artificial intelligence, post-humanity, and the nature of consciousness. First published on September 1, 2012, this novel is the second in the Jean le Flambeur series and offers a unique blend of hard science fiction and cyberpunk.
The author, Hannu Rajaniemi, is a Finnish author and mathematician who holds a PhD in string theory. His academic background is evident in the intricate and complex world-building that he employs in The Fractal Prince.
Rajaniemi’s writing style is sharp, imaginative, and packed with technical jargon that might be overwhelming for some readers. However, for fans of hard sci-fi, this novel is an absolute treat.
The plot of The Fractal Prince centers around the charismatic and enigmatic thief Jean le Flambeur who is coerced by a powerful AI entity, the Sobornost, into stealing a powerful quantum processor. However, things quickly spiral out of control as Jean finds himself embroiled in a multi-layered plot that spans different virtual realities, extra-dimensional spaces, and even alternate versions of himself.
The setting of The Fractal Prince is a post-human world where technology has advanced to the point where humans have become something else entirely. It’s a world where gods, angels, and demons are found online, and information technologies shape reality itself.
The characters are equally fascinating, particularly Jean le Flambeur, who balances his suave, roguish charm with a haunting sense of loss and despair. The Fractal Prince is a work of art, showcasing Rajaniemi’s incredible imagination and technical skill.
The novel builds on the world established in the previous book, The Quantum Thief, but is also accessible to newcomers. The pacing is frenetic, and the plot is labyrinthine.
However, where The Fractal Prince falls short is in its dense and occasionally impenetrable style. The sheer amount of technical jargon and mind-bending concepts might be too much for some readers, and it can be challenging to keep up with the intricate plot twists.
Additionally, some of the characters feel underdeveloped or flat, particularly the female characters, who often fall into tired sci-fi clichés. Despite its flaws, The Fractal Prince is an exciting and thought-provoking novel that will appeal to fans of hard science fiction and cyberpunk.
The characters may be flawed, but they are also compelling, and the world that Rajaniemi has created is nothing short of breathtaking. While it’s not a perfect novel, it’s still a must-read for those interested in cutting-edge sci-fi.
On a scale of one to ten, The Fractal Prince is a solid eight. While it might not be for everyone, it’s a genuinely remarkable work of science fiction that will leave readers pondering the nature of reality long after the final page.
