Pushing Ice
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Alastair Reynolds' 6th full-length novel is a stand-alone work detailing the fate of the crew of a comet-mining spaceship who become trapped on an alien object disguised as one of Saturn's moons.
This is a novel of big science fiction ideas, but equally Reynold's never loses site of the human element, with the narrative driven by a schism caused by the power-struggles of the two lead female characters, as two once-close friends become bitter enemies.
The first half of the novel is very reminiscent of some of the work of Arthur C Clarke, with the crew of the spaceship using their technological knowhow to explore an alien object, while the second half pushes the narrative into more exotic extremes of alien contact with the crew finding themselves trapped in a vast alien zoo.
Occasionally some of the character's actions can be a little melodramatic, but as an epic galaxy-spanning space opera 'Pushin Ice' more than delivers the goods, and it's refusal to offer any easy answers at the novels close adds to it's charm.
Perhaps not quite as original as 'Century Rain', this is nevertheless recommended for anyone who likes intelligent science fiction.
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Surely it can't be a standalone title?
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My problem with this book is that it leaves a /huge/ number of loose ends. About half to two-thirds of the way through, I was wondering how Reynolds was going to weave together all the different plot threads by the end, and the answer is he simply doesn't try.
I've given four stars because I did enjoy it, but it sort of screams out for another volume or two. I guess I'm rating it as part I of a trilogy; if it really is all that Reynolds intends to write about that universe, then I'd probably have to mark it down to only two.
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Good, Hard Science Fiction
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Pushing Ice, by Alastair Reynolds
Having previously read a couple of Reynolds' books, I gave this one a try and I'm glad I did. As I may have happened to mention before, I like hard Science Fiction and this Space Opera does not disappoint. This is Science Fiction on a Grand Scale (well, fairly grand anyway).
I have no idea why but I couldn't help thinking of Captain Janeway every time one of the books main character, Bella Lind, showed her face. I felt that Bella's rival, Svetlana, wouldn't have lasted more than a couple of weeks in charge with her hysterics, histrionics and, dare I say it; bitchyness. I couldn't help feeling that; hell hath no fury like a woman FULL STOP!
Talk about bitchy. Anyway, it only goes to show that we men will always have a lot to learn when it comes to women and that perhaps they really are from Venus. Often in SF book reviews the reviewer will prattle on at length about how the characters "were wooden" or "didn't feel real" and so on. Well, I have to tell them; none of it's real! It's Science Fiction; it can't be real. I personally don't read this stuff for characterisations and poncey stuff like that. I read it for escapism; to be taken to alien worlds and be introduced to different kinds of life and exotic science. That's what I got from this book and I'm not the slightest bit bothered whether some of the people who inhabit these fantasy landscapes are a little bit wooden, or even cardboard cutouts.
All that really matters is that there is a good plot that tells an interesting and exciting, believable story. This book does just that, with knobs on.
The book is a little slow at times and I found myself cheating by reading ahead on more than one occasion; for example, it seemed to take an age for the expedition to reach its goal and I'd've preferred the first half of the story to have been whittled down somewhat. But then again, that's more than likely just me being impatient and displaying my dislike of narrative and minutia.
However, it was almost impossible to put the book down, especially when I got to the last third of it and there are a few unexpected twists. The scale and scope are awesome.
This is a ripping good yarn and I strongly recommend it. Thank you Mr Reynolds, Eight out of ten. I do hope there's a sequel.
japhid
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US Mini Series?
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My first foray into Alistair Reynolds was a disappointment. Looking for something and someone new to read, I took the advice of other reviewers and found this book, which I thought a good place to start.
It's not that I didn't like it, and indeed had to finish it, my problem was that for me it just didn't go anywhere and there wasn't any conclusion, good or bad. I felt reading through it that it reminded me of a six part US mini series, where it was separated into nice episodic chunks that could start with the caption "20 years later".
On finishing the last chapter, all I could think was there should be a sequal to tie things up.
I will try not to let me be put off by Alistair Reynolds, but what to read next, I don't know.
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Fantastic, enthralling and entertaining.
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Bear in mind that this is my first modern-day sci-fi book ever, so I have nothing to compare it to.
The premise of the story is a crew of asteroid miners are sent on an unusual task - to investigate a mysterious moon of Saturn, and return to Earth to reap the rewards of their expedition. It is only too late to turn back after they discover they do not have enough fuel to return home and must hope to survive on the moon. They soon discover that they are being taken to an intergalactic habitual eco-system to live with many other races. These include the "Fountainheads" who present them with gifts such as rejuvination - allowing them to reverse their body clock 40, 50 or even 60 years. This was an interesting concept which meant the book was written in 4 or 5 different time periods, showing how the crew adapted to their new home and how the social hierachy changed. One of the most advanced social concepts was the fact that the crew had a female captain, who after having decided they stay on the moon, was put in solitary confinement for decades and replaced by her male second-in-command.
Reynolds highlights many interesting concepts of human nature, such as our will to survive and our curiosity to explore and learn. The characters are well-rounded and all play key roles, and there are enough story twists to keep any reader engaged. I raced through this book in a matter of days and was left wanting more. A thoroughly fantastic and thought-provoking book, recommended to anyone with an interest in human behavior or space travel.
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