Staff Pick
In a future where Earth has been nearly forgotten, people rely on mathematics and technologies that are almost (or entirely) incomprehensible to them, and mysterious "archilects" may be manipulating humankind's actions, one of the last descendants of a legendary space-faring family creates two clones of herself and embarks on three different quests that will ultimately save or doom humanity. Reynolds is among the most exciting and able writers of hard science fiction today, and he is in fine form. Recommended By Drew P., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
[Alastair] Reynoldss depth of imagination, adeptness with creating multi-dimensional characters, and brisk pacing are again in evidence” (Publishers Weekly) as the author of Blue Remembered Earth continues his Poseidons Children saga
Chiku Akinya, great granddaughter of the legendary space explorer Eunice Akinyaand heir to the family empire, is just one among millions on a long one way journey towards a planet they hope to call their new home. For Chiku, the journey is a personal one, undertaken to ensure that the Akinya family achieves its destiny among the stars.
The passengers travel in huge self-contained artificial worldsholoshipsputting their faith in a physics they barely understand. Chikus ship is called Zanzibarand over time, she will discover it contains an awesome secretone which will lead her to question almost every certainty about her voyage, and its ultimate destiny
Review
“Clever and creative with lots of twists, tense moments and a perfectly balanced structure…
On the Steel Breeze is Reynolds in top form.”—SF Book
“For SF fans, the possibilities and imagination that has gone into the book will remind them of the heady days of Asimov and Clarke, of an age where imagination and people were more important in telling the story of humanity and guessing about its future.”—British Fantasy Society
“Few SF writers merge rousing adventure with advanced futuristic technology as skillfully as Alastair Reynolds.”—Toronto Star
“Reynolds is a master of the slow build up leading to apocalyptic action, and On the Steel Breeze is no exception.”—National Space Society
Synopsis
The award-winning author of the Revelation Space series continues his Poseidon's Children saga as the next generation of the Akinya family crosses interstellar space seeking humanity's future... Chiku Akinya, great granddaughter of the legendary space explorer Eunice Akinyaand heir to the family empire, is just one among millions on a long one way journey towards a planet they hope to call their new home. For Chiku, the journey is a personal one, undertaken to ensure that the Akinya family achieves its destiny among the stars.
The passengers travel in huge self-contained artificial worlds--holoships--putting their faith in a physics they barely understand. Chiku's ship is called Zanzibar--and over time, she will discover it contains an awesome secret--one which will lead her to question almost every certainty about her voyage, and its ultimate destiny...
About the Author
Alastair Reynolds was born in Wales in 1966. He has a PhD in astronomy. From 1991 to 2007, he lived in the Netherlands, where he was employed by the European Space Agency as an astrophysicist. He is now a full-time writer and lives in South Wales with his wife, Josette. He is the author of Blue Remembered Earth, Terminal World, House of Suns, and The Prefect.