Revelation Space is the first instalment of a trilogy of the same name (although Reynolds has since expanded the series). Set in the not-so-distant future (2400 and beyond) a mix of spacefaring races (including humanity) coexist and inhabit a particular star system in space around a neutron star. The story arcs of three principle characters (an assassin, an engineer and an egotistical philosopher/scientist) gradually coalesce to reveal the mysterious disappearance of a primitive alien race on a minor planet in the system - in particular the exodus of a breakaway faction that developed the ability to travel in space far beyond their means. As the story develops, we begin to see how significant their disappearance is as a portent to potential future threat to the developing civilisations and in turn learn that the status quo is not all as it seems.

This is a book that pendulums between being engaging and ordinary but I’m happy to say it is generally the former. Reynolds, clearly has a passion for science but occasionally his detailed use of ‘hard’ scientific vocabulary slows the story unnecessarily in trying to grasp his descriptions. This was a minor blemish however as he builds a credible world and plot and the denouement was brilliant - pulling everything together exceptionally.

Not a must read unless you’re a sci-fi fan but a decent read if you are. ‘Children of Time’ by Adrian Tchaikovsky is my top pick of recent sci-fi but I definitely want to read the others in the Revelation Space trilogy so it’s a 4/5
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I am not a space opera kind of reader. I always find them long and tedious. I am certain it is a wonderful novel; not for me. ( )

This is a huge book. But what a story.

At first you might be little bit lost because of all the political movements, parties, technology, biology and especially the way time passes in this weird universe. Soon you will find your footing and propel yourself into a story that reads like something that popped up from the entity that is mix of Richard K. Morgan and Neal Asher on steroids.... lots of steroids.

This is the world where people have evolved into many different branches - what binds them is basically immortality. Humans are capable to improve themselves with cybernetic enhancements but also you have biological enhancements and in some examples complete body transfers.

And then we get to the technology.... it is beautiful and very harrowing and in some places so interconnected with the biological life-forms you do not know where does one start and other end.

And then we get to the wonderful universe teeming with strange creatures.... It feels like a more fleshed out "Event Horizon" like story, with very very disturbing denizens of the dark ..... and I am gonna stop now and tell you that to move beyond this point means giving away spoilers. Not that I would ruin anything for you (my brain is still recovering as one of the reviewers stated and I am still re-reading parts of the book to see if I have missed anything) but to tell others anything more is to rob them of their own experience with this magnificent door-stopper :)).

Highly recommended to all SF fans.
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Definitely one of the top 5 science fiction books I've encountered. The author did jump back and forth a lot between the three different plotlines, but it eventually became comprehensible. ( )

This was my first attempt at audio books. Consequently I think I only actually processed maybe 40% of this book, (which is maybe for the best given how long it is), so, you know, take all this with a grain of salt I guess.
The character work here is good. All three POV characters felt complete and distinct, with clear goals and motivations, and at least two of them were convincingly sympathetic.
The world, too, was interesting; the amount of information and the pace at which it was revealed was good, I never felt overwhelmed or confused (well, except when I fell asleep part way through). Sufficiently inventive, but not too out there that it raised more questions than it could reasonably answer.
The ending felt a little, well, much. Though it fit the premise, it just felt like a very big answer to a relatively small question. But maybe there was just something I missed. ( )