House of Suns

By: Alastair Reynolds

Narrated by: John Lee

Length: 18 hrs and 17 mins

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

Fascinating but…

I enjoyed this book a bunch, including a strong reading performance. The first part of the book was interesting, the middle totally engrossing, and the end a bit of a let down. I feel as though the author painted himself in a corner, and was forced to an anti-climax where the key protagonists had no agency in their fate. The there was the whole part about the computer game, that comes off as a full-on shaggy dog story with nothing more than symbolic relevance to the main story line. All fascinating, but…

On the plus side, what a vision and creative concept! Great world building. Characters you totally root for and against.

Listen/read, whatever. This book is worth your time, even if I wish it had reached a more satisfying climax.

Sub-Lightspped Space opera

I enjoyed this book. I thought the narration was easy to follow and well suited to the story, and the author explored some interesting ideas in an entertaining way.

I'll definitely consider another Alastair Reynolds book in the future.

Interesting and Entertaining

Ticks all the right boxes (for me).

Having read almost every book by Alastair Reynolds, I know they can be wide reaching, millennia spanning, deeply woven hard sci-fi. And while I generally enjoy his work, they feel cumbersome at times, with some elements I love but often with characters I don't connect with personally. With House of Suns, I feel like Reynolds finally ticked all the boxes that make a story appealing to me. It is easily my favorite of his books and while some complain the ending is unsatisfying, I found it fitting, if abrupt. Of his works, this one truly felt like an "action packed" adventure. I feel this would translate easily into an anime adaptation.

My only concern with this reading is that while John Lee is excellent at enunciation and fluid speech, especially concerning some of the verbiage, he rarely has any definition between characters aside from the occasional accent. This can be problematic given the book is told from multiple points of view. In that regard, this does feel more like a "reading" than a performance. Nonetheless, his style entertains me despite the shortcomings.

this man's mind is fascinating.

There are some of his stories that I really didn't get into that much but those that caught my attention were unique and were still on my mind months after having listen to them. This is one of my favorites. Whether this or Revenger is my top pick from those of his that I've experienced, really depends on the day I'm asked.

Great read, narrator is amazing.

Love it. Really appreciate the authors science based time dialation at relativistic velocities putting into perspective how boggling vast & sparce the universe.
This is my 3rd book by Alistair Reynolds and he is now amongst my favorites.

Sublime

This is, by far, one of my favorite books. I don't think I can really review it, I'm too biased, have too strong of an emotional connection with it. It is very dear and very special to me, that is what I can say in honesty. If you are reading this, it is my sincere hope that you will love it too and, of not, you will enjoy it and be entertained. I think I will listen to it and read it for the rest of my life.

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.

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.

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!

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.