Set in a post singularity world where a machine intelligence had rapidly evolved to a godlike level and had, for reasons of its own, dispersed most of the human race around a huge area of space. Now several centuries later these scattered colonies having created their own planetary kingdoms and empires are coming back into communications with each other. The post singularity intelligence – the Eschaton – mostly leaves the humans to get on with things on their own with one exception, it will not tolerate any deliberate causal violations using the faster than light travel. Any attempt to do so is met with ruthless force. But now a strange itinerant alien culture has arrived at one of these young civilisations and, although not malicious, is causing major disruption. Now the human response may bring them into conflict with the Eschaton’s one strict rule.
The hard science involved in this book does not make for the easiest of reads. It is worth reading up on relativistic light cones before embarking on Singularity Sky, something that I did not find particularly easy to wrap my head around and I have a bit of a physics background. However a rough understanding of the basic principles is probably sufficient to understand the major plot points.
On this fascinating backdrop Stross has built a good story with an interesting plot but unfortunately, for me at least, he has not done a good job of telling that story. At the centre of it is a romance between two of the main characters. I wouldn’t have a problem with that of itself as the romance does not dominate the plot – this is science fiction with a bit of romance, not romance with a bit of science fiction – but Stross just doesn’t seem to be good at writing romance. I had exactly the same problems with the romance in his Merchant Princes science fantasy series; the besotted individuals, who are in all other ways mature, strong, responsible characters, behave like a pair of teenagers endangering both of their missions which they have been entrusted with largely because of their professionalism. It just wasn’t credible and made me cringe every time it was addressed. This wasn’t the only problem I had with Stross’ storytelling in this book but it was by far the worst. There were numerous other cases of unreasonable motivations and decisions that were necessary for the plot but severely lacking credibility.
A great premise, great world building and great science but sadly let down by the story telling. The two books in this duology were, I think, amongst Stross’ earliest books so maybe his romantic clumsiness can be forgiven. I will probably go on to read the second book in the hope that he is done with the romance now.
3/5 stars
The hard science involved in this book does not make for the easiest of reads. It is worth reading up on relativistic light cones before embarking on Singularity Sky, something that I did not find particularly easy to wrap my head around and I have a bit of a physics background. However a rough understanding of the basic principles is probably sufficient to understand the major plot points.
On this fascinating backdrop Stross has built a good story with an interesting plot but unfortunately, for me at least, he has not done a good job of telling that story. At the centre of it is a romance between two of the main characters. I wouldn’t have a problem with that of itself as the romance does not dominate the plot – this is science fiction with a bit of romance, not romance with a bit of science fiction – but Stross just doesn’t seem to be good at writing romance. I had exactly the same problems with the romance in his Merchant Princes science fantasy series; the besotted individuals, who are in all other ways mature, strong, responsible characters, behave like a pair of teenagers endangering both of their missions which they have been entrusted with largely because of their professionalism. It just wasn’t credible and made me cringe every time it was addressed. This wasn’t the only problem I had with Stross’ storytelling in this book but it was by far the worst. There were numerous other cases of unreasonable motivations and decisions that were necessary for the plot but severely lacking credibility.
A great premise, great world building and great science but sadly let down by the story telling. The two books in this duology were, I think, amongst Stross’ earliest books so maybe his romantic clumsiness can be forgiven. I will probably go on to read the second book in the hope that he is done with the romance now.
3/5 stars