Absolution Gap (Revelation Space, #3)

From Publishers Weekly The final volume in British author Reynolds's SF trilogy that began with Revelation Space (2001) fulfills all the staggering promise of the earlier books, and then some. The world Hela, an airless moon of the gas giant Haldora, is remarkable for two things: relics of the extinct alien race called the scuttlers, and the Quaicheist faith, whose observers (aided by infection with a virus that induces religious fervor) watch Haldora in the hope of viewing one of its mysterious, split-second disappearances. Church records show the disappearances are slowly increasing in frequency and duration. Rumors abound, and arriving pilgrims confirm that Haldora's changing behavior is a sign of the end times. When his indoctrinating virus weakens on occasion, however, Quaicheist founder Horris Quaiche has other ideasas does young iconoclast Rashmika Els, self-taught scuttler archeologist. Meanwhile, unhappy war veteran Nevil Clavain leaves self-imposed exile on the planet Ararat to help his friend, human-pig hybrid Scorpio, and rejoin the battle against the implacable Inhibitors, "wolf" machines that seek out and destroy star-faring civilizations. From a slow start, Reynolds's plot rapidly builds momentum, hurtling to a stunning conclusion. Cinematic imagery and strong characters ably carry this juggernaut of a story, with Big Ideas strewn about like pebbles on a beach. It's not the best book to introduce Reynolds to those who've never read him, but it's without a doubt a fitting finale to the series, a landmark in hard SF space opera. Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Review A book of great fascination, rich description, and memorable action. -- _ Locus_

revelation Space And Redemption Ark Have Been Hailed As The Best Of The New Breed Of Space Opera. Now Absolution Gap Concludes Reynolds' Epic Science Fiction Trilogy.

publishers Weekly

the Final Volume In British Author Reynolds's Sf Trilogy That Began With Revelation Space (2001) Fulfills All The Staggering Promise Of The Earlier Books, And Then Some. The World Hela, An Airless Moon Of The Gas Giant Haldora, Is Remarkable For Two Things: Relics Of The Extinct Alien Race Called The Scuttlers, And The Quaicheist Faith, Whose Observers (aided By Infection With A Virus That Induces Religious Fervor) Watch Haldora In The Hope Of Viewing One Of Its Mysterious, Split-second Disappearances. Church Records Show The Disappearances Are Slowly Increasing In Frequency And Duration. Rumors Abound, And Arriving Pilgrims Confirm That Haldora's Changing Behavior Is A Sign Of The End Times. When His Indoctrinating Virus Weakens On Occasion, However, Quaicheist Founder Horris Quaiche Has Other Ideas-as Does Young Iconoclast Rashmika Els, Self-taught Scuttler Archeologist. Meanwhile, Unhappy War Veteran Nevil Clavain Leaves Self-imposed Exile On The Planet Ararat To Help His Friend, Human-pig Hybrid Scorpio, And Rejoin The Battle Against The Implacable Inhibitors, Wolf Machines That Seek Out And Destroy Star-faring Civilizations. From A Slow Start, Reynolds's Plot Rapidly Builds Momentum, Hurtling To A Stunning Conclusion. Cinematic Imagery And Strong Characters Ably Carry This Juggernaut Of A Story, With Big Ideas Strewn About Like Pebbles On A Beach. It's Not The Best Book To Introduce Reynolds To Those Who've Never Read Him, But It's Without A Doubt A Fitting Finale To The Series, A Landmark In Hard Sf Space Opera. Roebert Kirby At Peters, Fraser And Dunlop. (june 1) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

In the third book of the legendary Revelation Space trilogy, the last remnants of humanity realize that forging an alliance with a greater and even more mysterious alien force may be their only chance for survival. The Inhibitors were designed to eliminate any life form reaching a certain level of intelligence -- and they've targeted Humanity. War veteran Clavain and a ragtag group of refugees have fled into hiding. Their leadership is faltering, and their situation is growing more desperate. But their little colony has just received an unexpected visitor: an avenging angel with the power to lead mankind to safety -- or draw down its darkest enemy. And as she leads them to an apparently insignificant moon light-years away, it begins to dawn on Clavain and his companions that to beat one enemy, it may be necessary to forge an alliance with something much worse . . . " Absolution Gap is a good as it gets, and should solidify Alastair Reynolds' reputation as one of the best hard SF writers in the field." -- SF Site Alastair Reynolds continues his Revelation Space series with this “first-rate work of science fiction, a thoroughly modern space opera full of dangers and marvels to match”(SF Site). The Inhibitors were designed to eliminate any life form reaching a certain level of intelligence—and they've targeted Humanity. War veteran Clavain and a ragtag group of refugees have fled into hiding. Their leadership is faltering, and their situation is growing more desperate. But their little colony has just received an unexpected visitor: an avenging angel with the power to lead mankind to safety—or draw down its darkest enemy. And as she leads them to an apparently insignificant moon light-years away, it begins to dawn on Clavain and his companions that to beat one enemy, it may be necessary to forge an alliance with something much worse... They are ancient killing machines, designed to locate and destroy any life form reaching a certain level of intelligence. Now, stirred from eons of sleep, the Inhibitors have descended on their latest target: Humanity." "The first wave of Inhibitors has sent war veteran Clavain and a ragtag group of refugees into hiding. Their leadership is faltering, and their situation is growing more desperate. But their little colony has just received an unexpected visitor: an avenging angel with the power to lead mankind to safety - or draw down its darkest enemy." As she leads them to an apparently insignificant moon light-years away, it begins to dawn on Clavain and his companions that to beat one enemy, it may be necessary to forge an alliance with something much worse. In the epic conclusion of the Revelation Space trilogy, veteran Clavain and his desperate companions seek refuge on a remote moon, light-years away from the ancient killing machines wreaking havoc on the universe in an attempt to destroy all human life, only to discover that to defeat this horrific enemy, they must forge an uneasy alliance with an even more deadly "ally."