Inhibitor Phase

By: Alastair Reynolds

Narrated by: John Lee

A stellar new science fiction adventure from the author who redefined space opera, set in his bestselling Revelation Space universe.

For thirty years a tiny band of humans has been sheltering in the caverns of an airless, crater-pocked world called Michaelmas. Beyond their solar system lie the ruins of human interstellar civilization, stalked by a ruthless, infinitely patient cybernetic entity determined to root out the last few bands of survivors. One man has guided the people of Michaelmas through the hardest of times, and given them hope against the wolves: Miguel de Ruyter.

When a lone human ship blunders into their system, and threatens to lead the wolves to Michaelmas, de Ruyter embarks on a desperate, near-suicide mission to prevent catastrophe. But an encounter with a refugee from the ship—the enigmatic woman who calls herself only Glass—leads to de Ruyter's world being turned upside down.

Critic reviews

"This wonderfully complicated, fascinating space opera carries on the adventures of teen sisters Adrana and Arafura Ness, who find themselves over their heads in deep space intrigue... [A] marvelous mix of character study and space adventure."—Publishers Weekly (starred review) on Shadow Captain

"Shadow Captain does what a great sequel should do: it builds upon, rather than replicates, the earlier work while escalating the drama and upping the stakes. ... The worlds'-shattering conclusion has us very much looking forward to our next voyage with the Ness sisters."—B&N Sci-Fi and Fantasy Blog on Shadow Captain

"The sequel to last year's space heist story, Revenger, is an equally-gripping story about two sisters, Adrana and Fura Ness, on the hunt for the greatest treasure in the universe."—Kirkus on Shadow Captain

"A swashbuckling thriller--Pirates of the Caribbean meets Firefly--that nevertheless combines the author's trademark hard SF with effective, coming-of-age characterization."
—The Guardian on Revenger

"Revenger is classic Reynolds-that is to say, top of the line science fiction, where characters are matched beautifully with ideas and have to find their place in a complex future. More!"—Greg Bear on Revenger

"Alastair Reynolds [is] one of the leading lights of the New Space Opera Movement . . . . Revenger is tremendous fun." —Locus

"Reynolds has sketched in a galaxy littered with the relics of former civilizations (human and alien), with plenty left to the reader's imagination, and room for a sequel."—Library Journal on Revenger

"An expert mix of the fantastical and horrific."—Publishers Weekly (starred review) on Revenger

"Reynolds' newest action-packed science fiction novel is a tale of sisterly devotion, heartbreaking loss, and brutal vengeance . . . Fans will enjoy the well-developed characters and detailed world building."—Booklist on Revenger

"By far the most enjoyable book Reynolds has ever written."—SFX on Revenger

great book

loved it. enough continuation from absolution gap to feel like a sequel, and or a stand alone.

favorite book series

definitely a Reynolds novel. All the hallmarks are there. My biggest fear was that it would mess with the continuity of absolution gap, ultimately it did not. they actually tied in rather nicely with his other novels. sorry wasn't anything earth-shattering but it was good. If I can get him to write 10 more books in the series I would. I don't recommend this to be the first book you read in the series though. I recommend reading every other book in his revalation space series besides galactic North first. Make sure you save galactic North for last I think.

Excellent

I loved this book. In my opinion, it is the best in the series. Excellent character development, great story, some wonderful "settings" and inhabitants. The story is also ultimately hopeful! I will be listening to it again.

Who's that revelator who's that revelator who's t

Oh my oldest friend, please don't stay away so long. I miss you... .. ...

Reynolds and Lee are the ultimate pairing

No one does high concept hard sci-fi like Reynolds. Lee is the ultimate performer and is the only one who really understands Reynolds’ voice.

If you’ve loved the Revelation Space universe, don’t worry, Inhibitor Phase lives up to the extremely high expectations that series has set. This is more like Revelation Space or Redemption Ark, and less like Chasm City or Absolution Gap, and that is all to the good. The story explores the best and the worst in humanity, and faces the tough questions of meaning and sacrifice in a suitably epic story that pushes the limits and stays realistic and believable and keeps you completely immersed.

After so long waiting for more in the inhibitor storyline, expectations were high, and Reynolds and Lee exceed them again.