House of Suns
House of Suns is a science fiction novel by author Alastair Reynolds. This is a book that tells the story of how 6 million years ago, Abigail Gentian broke his own wings into a thousand male and female clones. Sent into the galaxy, the fragments stand in the distance as they document the fall and rise of the human empire.
Here are the top 3 reviews and comments that readers love about this fascinating book.
Review 1: House of Suns audiobook by A reader
Science fiction in Deep time
Alastair Reynolds is one of the few great writers of hard science fiction space operas working today (Vernor Vinge and Charlie Stross are others). A key premise of the book is that faster-than-light travel is just as impossible in the future as it seems today, so the characters in the novel maintain a unique existence over millions of years by traveling at relativistic speeds and placing themselves in long-term suspended animation. The result explores one of Reynold’s favorite topics: Deep Time, where trips between stars take thousands of years and civilizations rise and fall as the characters complete 100,000 year circuits of the galaxy.
This serves as context for a slow-building, but fascinating tale, for which the less said, the better for you, as a listener. It takes a long time to realize the central conflict, with much action on the way, but the pieces come together satisfyingly.
The common criticism on Audible seems to be that the book is “too long” or that the ending is unsatisfying. I disagree on both counts: the ending is remarkably good, and the length seems perfect, especially for epic science fiction. If you like your science fiction hard, this is a great choice.
Review 2: House of Suns audiobook by Joshua
Extraordinary Sci-Fi
I was unprepared for the scope of the story in House of Suns. It is the most ambitious imagining of “deep time” that I’ve encountered. I would mark it on par with Iain Banks in terms of optimistic imaginings for humans’ long-term future. But unlike Banks, Reynolds has created characters that are worth caring about, and a sense of drama that keeps you invested in the book.
This book was very smart, very imaginative, and very well constructed. It is one of the few modern sci-fi books that leaves me with no complaints.
The book is unapologetic in its slow unraveling. Several terms and vital bits of backstory are withheld for a long time, but not in an annoying way. It was nice to encounter an author who doesn’t cheapen his book with ham-handed exposition.
My only complaint is narrator John Lee, who over-enunciates everything, and doesn’t do much to add dramatic tension to the book. Every passage is read with the same level of enthusiasm. It isn’t a monotone, but it also isn’t full of personality.
Review 3: House of Suns audiobook by Langdon Smith
Enjoyed greatly
After listening to three other Alastair Reynolds books I’d have to say I enjoyed this one the most. I was a bit skeptical about the idea of shatterlings when I read the summary before listening and wondered if the idea was too complex to support a good story line. It was a bit confusing at first, but then came together very nicely. It really made me think about the passage of deep time. I also think narrator John Lee does a great job.
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