Reynolds Alastair 03

Reviews & Overviews by Rod Cameron

Chasm City by Alastair Reynolds
Gritty Space Opera in the same universe as Revelation Space

Alastair Reynolds has returned to the Universe of Revelation Space & Diamond Dogs. The book starts with one of the best 'hooks' I have read in a long time. It consists of a two page training document for travellers to Yellowstone, apologising for the state of the planet. It explains that whilst they have been in hypersleep, a plague has ravaged the pleasure planet that they were hoping to travel to. A plague that attacks all nano-technology - that supports the buildings, and lives inside peoples' bodies making them immortal.
Tanner Mirabel is a 'security' specialist. However, a feud with a postmortal named Argent Reivich takes him away from his homeworld across light-years of space, to Chasm City a settlement on the otherwise inhospitable planet of Yellowstone. Because of the plague, Chasm City is now a dark gothic nightmare, a place of steam driven machines, shadowy factions and deadly games.
With only his wits to help him, Tanner narrows the distance between himself and Reivich. However, as he gets closer to his prey, he is forced to question his very identity, as disturbing truths surface that reach back centuries and uncover a barely remembered atrocity.
Alastair Reynolds produces his own unique universe which has echoes of both Iain M Banks' Culture novels, and Peter Hamilton's Night's Dawn trilogy. As it says on the cover of the book, "Come to Chasm City and embark on a mind-bending ride through Alastair Reynold's wild universe". Revelation Space was cracking. Chasm City is equally as good.
His third novel Redemption Ark has recently been published in Hardback and Trade paperback.

Publisher: Gollancz
Date: 2001
Pages: 524
Price: £6.99
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 0575068787
Reviewed by: Rod Cameron
Review Date: July 2002