Book reviews

Williams builds an interesting - if unexplained - future world apparently filled with people from pole to pole and walled in from the stars by an impenetrable shield. Then he mixes in magic (here known as plasm) and revolutionary politics.

Some might raise the criticism that there is no explanation of how the world got the way it is. On the other hand, I quite like this, as little momentum is lost while explaining back history.

Recommended.

This is a novel set in the Borderlands fantasy shared world, where Elfland borders on ours. Shared world novels are often seen as second class, but I quite enjoyed the characters in this one. Oh, and a Richard Thompson quote at the front is a good way of winning me over.

Quite enjoyable.

Another Culture novel, Excession again shows events on the edge of Banks' utopian civilisation (anything in the main mileau would be naturally lacking in drama). This time, an unexplained something has appeared, and it's up to the Minds to work out what it means, with a few confused humans along for the ride. In places, this is reminiscent of Vernor Vinge's A Fire Upon The Deep, especially in the messaging and the cybernetic battles, but it also has the authentic Banks touch.

Wonderful.