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  • House of Suns

  • By: Alastair Reynolds
  • Narrated by: John Lee
  • Length: 18 hrs and 17 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (4,522 ratings)

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House of Suns

By: Alastair Reynolds
Narrated by: John Lee
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Publisher's summary

Six million years ago, at the very dawn of the starfaring era, Abigail Gentian fractured herself into a thousand male and female clones: the shatterlings. Sent out into the galaxy, these shatterlings have stood aloof as they document the rise and fall of countless human empires. They meet every 200,000 years to exchange news and memories of their travels with their siblings.

Not only are Campion and Purslane late for their 30-second reunion but they have also brought along an amnesiac golden robot for a guest. But the wayward shatterlings get more than the scolding they expect: they face the discovery that someone has a very serious grudge against the Gentian line, and there is a very real possibility of traitors in their midst. The surviving shatterlings have to dodge exotic weapons while they regroup to try to solve the mystery of who is persecuting them and why---before their ancient line is wiped out of existence forever.

©2008 Alastair Reynolds (P)2009 Tantor

What listeners say about House of Suns

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    2,841
  • 4 Stars
    1,161
  • 3 Stars
    370
  • 2 Stars
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Performance
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Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • 3 Stars
    310
  • 2 Stars
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  • 1 Stars
    38

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Yes

what a great story, great listen. this is my second listen, and I enjoyed it again very much. engaging, inventive story and business of future technology. interesting larger theme. well read. loved it.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent writing and story!

I am just discovering Mr Reynolds and his books are truly exceptional. Also, John Lee is one of my favorite narrators. Enjoy the ride as I have.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Started slow and hard to focus. Then wow!

I'm glad I read the other reviews saying this story is a slow build. I like the concept of civilizations coming and going while the more perpetually established beings experience life over vast time spans and distances. Give it a go!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Awesome setting, okay storytelling

House of Suns is one of the few books I've read that takes a believable look at what life might be like in a galactic civilization millions of years in the future. The weak part is the revealing of the major plot points; most of them happen when one character tells another, rather than discovery through investigation. As a result, it feels like the characters didn't earn it. Still, it is a good read for the worldbuilding and character interaction.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Engrossing, emotional, and epic

I have rarely enjoyed a novel and audiobook as much as I did this one. The story spans thousands of years and multiple worlds without losing any of the social and emotional impact of an intimate story of people trying to do their best in a complex society. I am forever a fan now of both Alistair Reynolds and John Lee.

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strong story. excellent narration.

one of the best sci-fi stories out there. expect some heavy futurism and poetic language. absolutely spellbinding.

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Great read!

Thoroughly enjoyable! Truly epic scale with several novel ideas. Don't miss this one! Would love a sequel!

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Great audiobook!

Good story and very good narration. It's just confusing at first because of the alternation of the storyteller.

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Brilliant

Just brilliant. I feel like I got so many awesome stories out of this listen and just the right amount of everything...action, mystery, romance, suspense. That ending though...I think I needed more.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

My second favorite novel by the author. Excellent.

I wonder if Reynolds is from this world because he consistently puts out great engaging and intelligent novels. I have been searching for an author to fill the void of Frank Hebert, and Reynolds has filled it perfectly. Though not a literary conductor in the style of Herbert, he has mastered the linguistic cadence of diplomats and dignitaries in his word play for his characters. House of Sun's is a great novel that leads you in many directions and leaving you guessing on the final destination up until the last sentence. Characters are very well developed like all his books. The talented narrator was made for his books and writing style.

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