The Prefect

By: Alastair Reynolds

Narrated by: John Lee

Length: 19 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

Tom Dreyfus is a Prefect, a law enforcement officer with the Panoply. His beat is the multifaceted utopian society of the Glitter Band, that vast swirl of space habitats orbiting the planet Yellowstone, the teeming hub of a human interstellar empire spanning many worlds. His current case: investigating a murderous attack against one of the habitats that left 900 people dead, a crime that appalls even a hardened cop like Dreyfus. But then his investigation uncovers something far more serious than mass slaughter---a covert plot by an enigmatic entity who seeks nothing less than total control of the Glitter Band. Before long, the Panoply detectives are fighting against something worse than tyranny, in a struggle that will lead to more devastation and more death. And Dreyfus will discover that to save what is precious, you may have to destroy it.

©2008 Alastair Reynolds (P)2011 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A fascinating hybrid of space opera, police procedural and character study.... This is solid British SF adventure, evoking echoes of le Carre and Sayers with a liberal dash of Doctor Who." ( Publishers Weekly)

Terrible voice acting

The story was interesting but it was very difficult to listen to. The female voices were especially poorly performed. The story itself kept me entertained so I kept on listening but I got very close to stopping and just getting the book to read myself

Fresh take on Sci Fi

Where does The Prefect rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I think it was an excellent story. It started a bit slow though, but it gradually picked up. It did take a bit to get used the accent of the narrator, but it still was a nice listen.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Prefect?

When Jane gets decapitated in order to remove the Scarab. And when Dryfuss meets the Clockmaker.

Which character – as performed by John Lee – was your favorite?

I'm going to have to say Gafney. He made me see his sneers without ever seeing him. Second is Sparva.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Sure.

Excellent hard science crime fiction

This is a fun hard sci-fi story that is also an excellent crime novel. Yes, I admit that I am a fan of sci-fi/fantasy crossover crime stories. A sucker some might say. But this story offers way more than the usual fare. I really was sorry to come to the end of the story.

The Prefect presents plenty of terrific sci-fi society and sci-fi justice ideas, along with plot twists and cliff-hangers. Instead of a private eye, Reynolds presents a futuristic police procedural. The story isn't set on Earth but in a loose alliance of space habitats called the Glitter Belt.

Still, the main character is hard boiled and his backstory is revealed over the course of the novel. Artificial intelligences bad.

Narrator John Lee may be an acquired taste to some, bringing an astonishing range of British and European accents. The Glitter Belt in the far far future isn't speaking with an American accent.

Captivating compeling story.

Where does The Prefect rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The Prefect ranks very high in my top five. I just want more of this universe of the glitter band.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

One of the best Alastair Book

Unfortunately we don't have many living legends like Alastair. His Storytelling with John Lee's narrative is great. His imaginary Glitterband as good as Asimov's Foundation. For me his best book is "Pushing Ice" but this one is not far behind.

Good Stand Alone Novel That Provides Context to RS

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If you are a fan of the Revelation Space Universe you will enjoy this book. Although a stand alone novel, it provides a great backdrop to the series. It also includes some clues on the beginning of the Melding Plague. This is almost a companion to the Chasm City novel. In that novel the Glitter Band was already ravaged by the plague. In this novel the Glitter Band is still at its height.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Prefect?

This is fundamentally a detective novel, and that plot device makes this book unique in the series. At times it reminded me of Asimov's Robot Series in tone and approach. As a long time Sci Fi reader that connection made this book memorable as a whole.

What does John Lee bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Always terrific, he does his usual spot on job here. I have read other reviews that complained about his accents, but I find them great. In a novel this length having some identifying markers for characters helps me keep track of everyone. Well done.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The RS series is a lot to consumer, no doubt about it. But if you are looking for escapist books that keep you interested, intrigued and guessing this series is for you. Though a standalone book it fits well into the series. Overall very well done.

Any additional comments?

I read Chasm City and The Prefect as a break in the RS Series. I recommend this approach. it provides background and lets you take breath in that story arch, which can become overwhelming in the story lines, time frames and characters. In many ways the standalone books make the core RS Space series even more enjoyable. Highly recommend.

Alastair Reynolds does it again

Yet another work of art in his Revelation Space opera. I do have to admit that the timeline throws me a bit - this book could almost have happened at the beginning of the series and explain the plague that infects machinery and people on Chasm City, but it seems to be later. I should really start from the beginning of the series and listen again.

As engaging as any in the series

I have to admit to having developed quite an attachment to both Alastair Reynolds and John Lee. Alastair's storytelling uses highly descriptive details while still moving the story along at a good pace. Life in the large told from the perspective of the individual. Thoroughly enjoyable.

A Real Space Thriller with Brain’s to Boot

I’m new to Alastair Reynolds and only a passing fan of sci fi literature but this is a great book that stands alone even though it is part of a larger series. One of the best aspects of the book is that the technology presented within the story is understandable and has a very familiar feel to it. In other words, most of the technical innovation is linear from our own time and place. Also, the hero is a classic tuff guy who doesn’t annoy by coming off as an all knowing, all power individual (a type that I can’t stand). He does come across as the right man at the right time for a world that is grown complacent and ceased any kind of introspection or self-improvement. Sound familiar? There are other contemporary issues addressed as well such as governmental role in private life, gun control, artificial intelligence, and the impact of supermen (people) on society.

great story, well performed

I enjoyed the plot and the characters. looking forward to reading more in the series.