Chasm City

By: Alastair Reynolds

Narrated by: John Lee

Length: 23 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Named one of the best novels of the year by both Locus and Science Fiction Chronicle, Alastair Reynolds's debut Revelation Space redefined the space opera. With Chasm City, Reynolds invites you to reenter the bizarre universe of his imagination as he redefines Hell.

The once-utopian Chasm City - a domed human settlement on an otherwise inhospitable planet - has been overrun by a virus known as the Melding Plague, capable of infecting any body, organic or computerized. Now, with the entire city corrupted---from the people to the very buildings they inhabit---only the most wretched sort of existence remains. For security operative Tanner Mirabel, it is the landscape of nightmares through which he searches for a lowlife postmortal killer. But the stakes are raised when his search brings him face to face with a centuries-old atrocity that history would rather forget.

©2008 Alastair Reynolds (P)2009 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Consistently startling.... Reynolds remains one of the hottest...SF writers around." ( Publishers Weekly)

Reynolds always brings it!

yet another great space opera. I find the narrator voice irritating but overall this is great.

The Total Bourne Blade Runner Recall

I compare everything to the Hyperion/Endymion books by Dan Simmons so I am biased, but this was a very imaginative and well written tale. It wasn't as shocking or horror oriented as the aforementioned books but there was some good action in it and some creepy aliens. The romantic parts were not as graphic and pretty respectable compared to some of the other books I've listened to, and aside from some language, my kids could probably sit through most of this and I wouldn't flinch too much. It's just the whole "almost 40 hours" long thing that I could complain about. If not for the detailed world building and sciency science stuff, this may have been about 30 hours long. Oh well it was a good buy and I most Iikely will follow the other books soon.

Decent Story, Great Universe

I like the narrator, but mispronounciation was distracting. Intestinal characters' motivations were random at best.

I really liked it. love the narrator.

as I said, I know the author and narrator from other books, which I liked. great team. knocked out or of the park with this one.

First time Reynolds reader, very Impressed!

This was a fantastic story. I really enjoyed the depth, the Tarantino style and the story arcing twist wonderful. I can't recommend it enough.

Evocative, Imaginative and Forward-Moving

I’ve listened to Reynolds’ Chasm City and The Prefect and they form complementary bookends to a story about a fascinating and often tragic world. The story is full of fascinating ideas, arresting imagery and plenty of action, yet, in the whole it is really a study about identity and morality.

John Lee is his usual competent reader. He’s not the most versatile, but he is easy to follow.

Reminded me of a James Bond story

The book has a lot of very cool ideas, but it struggles with pulling them together into a compelling story. I would rate it as pretty good overall. Fluidity in character and motivation are at the heart of the story, but many of the transitions seem forced, and much of the story comes through exposition that also feels forced. If you struggle with the trope of the villain revealing his plans to the protagonist before killing him, there will be things in this story that bother you. Not just in that way, but others as well the book reminded me a lot of a James Bond story.

Space Opera

Any additional comments?

Now I know what a space opera is. A normal Soap with laser beams and silver jump suits.
Although a nice big story. It was not really what I was looking for in a science fiction novel.

I may try this author again if I he wrote any real hard scifi books.

Great Character Development, Narration

This book can sort of be viewed as an introduction to the Revelation Space series universe. It is a self-contained novel in it's own rite, and has very interesting action scenes interspersed with a psychological space drama. I highly recommend this book for it's writing, content, and narration.

Prequel as to Revelation Space or after Redemption

The main character is dynamic and emotional and tough. Bruce Willis as John McLain from Die Hard. The best part of the story is when you learn who setup Hospital Idlewyld. Remember their names or experience a moment of clarity when you read them in the RS Trilogy.

Of course, the narration is some of the best out there. John Lee narrates the entire collection from Alastair Reynolds and for good reason. His variety of voices is second to none, and that's why he does RS. so many characters from various heritages and even *species.*

Lastly, there is no downtime in the story. It's a barrage of action that leaves you on the edge of your seat. Flashbacks to Sky Hausmann tend to be slower but for good reason. The level of detail that is depicted through these dreams are what makes the ending so powerful. Enjoy!