Tag Archives: Consider Phlebas

An Archaeologists’ Guide to Iain M. Banks

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Thomas Evans

Having heard about one of his favorite authors’ imminent demise, Tom reviews all of Iain M. Banks works in his Archaeologists’ Guide to Iain M. Banks. For a full detail go to Continue reading →

Posted in Alien Object, Anthology/Collection, Chronicle, Classic Sci Fi, Conspiracy, Conspiracy Novel, Cultural Contact, Cycle, Espionage, Far Future, Identity, Military Science Fiction, Mystery, New Space Opera, Part of A Series but can be Read without reading previous volumes, Planetary Romance, Political Drama, Post Modern, Ripping Yarn, Saga, Science Fiction, Series, Space Exploration, Space Opera, Spy Thriller, Stand Alone Novel, Strong Characters, Thoughtful, Thoughtful Espionage Tale, Thriller, Ultratech, Uncategorized, Unique or Imaginative World, World | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Hydrogen Sonata, Iain M. Banks (Orbit, 2012)

Posted on January 17, 2013 by Thomas Evans

The Hydrogen Sonata is not Iain M. Banks’ best book, but is a good read for any fan of his Culture series. I suspect, however, that it won’t appeal to people who are not at least somewhat familiar with the Culture and will have no appeal to individuals who don’t like Science Fiction. Continue reading →

Posted in Chronicle, Conspiracy Novel, Cultural Contact, Cycle, Far Future, Identity, New Space Opera, Part of A Series but can be Read without reading previous volumes, Post Colonial, Post Modern, Saga, Science Fiction, Series, Space Opera, Stand Alone Novel, Thoughtful, Thriller, Ultratech, Uncategorized, Unique or Imaginative World, World | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Look To Windward, Iain M. Banks (Orbit, 2000)

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Thomas Evans

Look to Windward is an interesting addition to Iain M. Banks’ Culture series. While it is a stand-alone novel, I doubt one would fully appreciate it unless you have already read a number of his other Culture novels, at very least Consider Phlebas. If you are a fan of Banks’ or the Culture, then this is a must read in the series, but if you’ve never read any of his Science Fiction books, do NOT start with this one. For full review go to http://www.sophyanempire.wordpress.com Continue reading →

Posted in Chronicle, Espionage, Identity, New Space Opera, Post Modern, Ripping Yarn, Saga, Science Fiction, Series, Spy Thriller, Stand Alone Novel, Strong Characters, Thoughtful, Ultratech, Uncategorized, Unique or Imaginative World, World | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

The Player of Games, Iain M. Banks (Orbit, 1988)

Posted on April 21, 2011 by Thomas Evans

The Player of Games is the second book in Iain M. Banks’ Culture Universe. Though it is a completely stand-alone novel, it builds upon the ideas introduced in Consider Phlebas and illustrates them through flowing language and contrast. In it, Jernau Morat Gurgeh is the greatest game player the Culture has to offer. When the nefarious Special Circumstances branch of Culture’s Contact wing ask him to play a game unlike any other, however, he will need all of his skills and more. The stakes are high for if he wins, he will rule the Empire of Azad, but if he loses he could well die. Read the full review at http://www.sophyanempire.wordpress.com Continue reading →

Posted in Espionage, Identity, New Space Opera, Political Drama, Post Modern, Science Fiction, Series, Spy Thriller, Strong Characters, Thoughtful, Ultratech, Unique or Imaginative World | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments