Inhibitor Phase

By: Alastair Reynolds

Narrated by: John Lee

Length: 19 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's Summary

Miguel de Ruyter is a man with a past.

Fleeing the 'wolves'—the xenocidal alien machines known as Inhibitors—he has protected his family and community from attack for 40 years, sheltering in the caves of an airless, battered world called Michaelmas. The slightest hint of human activity could draw the wolves to their home, to destroy everything...utterly. Which is how Miguel finds himself on a one-way mission with his own destructive mandate: to eliminate a passing ship, before it can bring unwanted attention down on them.

Only something goes wrong.

There's a lone survivor.

And she knows far more about Miguel than she's letting on....

Ranging from the depths of space to the deeps of Pattern Juggler waters, from nervous, isolated communities to the ruins of empire, this is a stealthy space opera from an author at the top of his game.

©2021 Alastair Reynolds (P)2021 Orion Publishing Group

fixed

there a missing section at the end of chapter 6 please fix this as soon as possible. it seems to have been fixed, will update if i find any other problems

Fantastic return to Revelation Space

Hyperpigs, Pattern Jugglers, and Nest Builders, whats not to like. I loved it. Thanks :)

not the complete book!

Chapter six of the book (named Chapter seven in the app) cuts off mid sentence.

Revelation space revisited - no spoilers

Being a huge Alastair Reynolds fan, I was very excited about this book. I have to say I was a bit disappointed. My honest opinion is, that Inhibitor phase seems less imaginative than the original books, although it will probably satisfy the Revelation Space universe hunger with many fans. I would have liked it to bring more earth shattering ideas, and maybe more exploration of the unknown parts of the RS universe. It seems more like a nod to the trilogy, rather than a new installment.
In regards to narration, I think the performance is OK, but the lack of pauses during scene changes is a big problem, although the listener will soon get over this.
If you're generally thinking about reading the Revelation Space novels, just go ahead and do that: The trilogy is great, and no sci-fi fan should leave it unread.

Not the best of Reynolds

It is a strong work of science fiction. But:

- Too much dying and too much acceptance of death

- Unnecessarily lengthy dialogues, sometimes badly written

- Some Ill-intentioned social commentary (e.g on “muskies”)

- Some unintentionally annoying characters (e.g Pinky)

- A rather predictable plot

Too much magic

The characters in Inhibitor Phase are demigod like and basically without flaws that would hinder them acting good. The technologies are all powerful, solving way too many plot points, to the point it really doesn't matter what happens, cause there is an implement that will negate it.

Now this still is a Revelation space novel, and I love the setting, and it has good parts.

More soap opera than space opera

I am usually a big fan of Alastair Reynolds but this book was a big let down. Tedious long goodbyes, am dram reunions (I lost count of the number of 'amazing' returns to life) and protracted naval gazing eclipsed the limited story.
A significant section featuring the Swine Queen seemed very similar to the vastly superior Consider Phelbas by Iain M Banks.
The techincal production is also faulty with a section missing in chapter 6.
Weak stuff

Reynolds and Lee in fine form

It’s a fine novel if you’re familiar with and a fan of Reynolds’ former works in the Revelation Space universe. Far from his best work, but I’m a fanboy and can’t be helped.

Speaking of familiarity: “Conch” is pronounced “conk” throughout the entire story. That should have been picked up at some point.

Missing text

These marks are not a reflection on the writing, or the splendid reading, but on the fact that large sections of the novel are missing from the audiobook. This is not good enough, Audible.
It is worth mentioning that the fist gap causes a significant plot spoiler. It is one that seasoned readers of the RS series might have expected, given some guarded comments in the story (and for that matter the blurb). But the details were for the author and narrator to reveal ... not to be dumped on the reader by an error.

A week later: has this been fixed? Are Audible going to let us know how to proceed?
Two weeks on and still no comment from a company that clearly regards its customers with disdain.
Audible have fixed the problem, but they still need to work on their communication skills.

The sublime Reynolds and Lee do it again!

After two weeks of waiting, Audible has now fixed the problem with chapter 6.

So, it is now a genuine delight to return to Reynold's wonderful Revelation Space, guided by the superb narration on John Lee. The audiobook is like welcoming back an old friend who has new and entrancing stories of their travels.

Editing has now been fixed I think

The missing part in chapter 6/7 has been fixed I think! I'm sure I will enjoy listening

Missing Audio

So Audible’s response to me requesting the missing part of Chapter 6 is to refund me a credit and delete the book, they really don’t get it, re purchased straightaway

It's... OK...

The missing section problems have already been covered, and have not influence my ratings. Sort yourselves out please, Amazon QC.

This is a fairly decent sequel to the Revelation Space series, but it's overly long and doesn't posses the sheer originality of the others. Super-tech is interspersed with the usual Grand Guignol scenes, but the magic (redacted because spoilers) are pushing it a little as a plot device. Some of the characters from the original series return and spend a great deal of time towards the end explaining how they wub and wespect each other very, very much. This gets to be a little tedious after a while.

I'm not John Lee's biggest fan, but he does a creditable job and is better than some narrators I won't mention. His female voices are hilariously bad, but he does a good grumpy hyperpig so I can live with the former. Just edges four stars.

All in all, it was an entertaining listen but only scores three stars. Will I buy the next one? Of course I will.

If you're new to Revelation Space do not start here! The story does stand on its own but you'd be much better off beginning at the five star beginning.

A full-fat no holds barred dive into RS

This is no side story, no digression, if you want to know what happens after Absolution Gap then dive right in and hold on to your butt, it's going to get very, very Alastair Reynolds. A superb, essential addition to the RS universe 👏

Love the universe, but..

I didn't find it as gripping a story as Mr reynolds' others set in it.
I'm fond of John Lee too, but his delivery can get a bit grating. It sometimes sounds as if Will Shatner and David Bowie had a lovechild who had been brought up watching english black and white films from the 40s. Sorry, John..
I don't regret investing my time here though. 7/10

inhibitor Phase

Found it a struggle to finish didn't root for the characters enough. I'm a bit fed up of John Lee posh female voice though it's obviously liked in the ether.

Occasionally brilliant, often frustrating

Another instalment of Reynolds's bleak Revelation Space universe begins with a footnote explaining how this can be read as a standalone novel. I've read Revelation Space and Redemption Ark, and still found things frustratingly abstract at times.

That aside it's a generally excellent tale - if overlong - with all the usual melancholia and gothic trademarks.

Not his best work, but it's a high bar

Has a bit more soul if you understand the history and references. Still good, but not the most compelling of the lot.