Hilldiggers - Neal Asher

Advantages: A good mix of concepts and themes
Disadvantages: Nothing springs to mind!

...Gridlinked is the first of Neal Asher’s novels I read, and I immediately fell in love with the his sci-fi world. The story is set in the future, in a human empire called the Polity. The Polity is run by artificially intelligent machines who are vastly more powerful than normal humans, and they are responsible for both running society and also operating the runcible network, which is this universe’s method of instantaneous space travel. The plot follows a Polity Agent called Ian Cormac as he investigates the expolsion of a runcible on a distant planet in the network. This is well paced book, which has some very good ideas. The themes it touches on revolve mainly around the nature of the relationship between the humans in the Polity and their AI “masters”. One of the best ways this is demonstrated is by the removal of the main... Read review

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Advantages: So moving it will pluck your heart stings.
Disadvantages: A bit difficult to get into the yiddish worldview.

...On the frontispiece of this book is a quotation from Picasso, “Art is a lie which makes us realize the truth.” The same can be said of fiction. Asher Lev is a great painter and this novel tells his story, and the trials, tribulations and heartbreak on the way. Through the memories of a four year old Asher we are introduced to the very private world of a Jewish Hasidic community in Brooklyn in the 1950’s. It is quite a culture shock and certainly a different kind of world, Yiddish words and phrases are used without explanation and a certain knowledge of Jewish traditions and festivals is assumed. It is possible to read the book by accepting that this is simply another world but a little background knowledge does help. Hasidism was a renewal movement in orthodox Judaism in 18th century founded by a rabbi who is now legendary, Baal... Read review

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Advantages: Very exciting, stunning sequel to The Innocent Mage
Disadvantages: More late nights...

...The second in the riveting "Kingmaker Kingbreaker" series, we pick up from where "The Innocent Mage" left off. In the aftermath of the "accident", Prince Gar is left in a very awkward situation. Master magician Durm has survived, although he is very weak and only barely alive. The only other person that could fill this essential post is Conroyd Jarralt, who would use this for his own purposes and to defy Gar. Both Gar and Asher desperately need the help of Durm. His survival is paramount for the safety of Dorana. What no-one realises is that the soul and consciousness of Morg still lives strongly within Durm. Morg, the enemy of Barl whose only wish is to destroy Barl's Wall, and Dorana with it. There is another threat to Dorana however, a more imminent one. Without a Weather Worker for the city, the wall may still fall... Read review

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